Catherine Deneuve not only wrote the foreword for Frédéric Malle’s brand new book ‘De L’Art Du Parfum’, but was also the first person to appear at his Paris launch party...
Catherine Deneuve not only wrote the foreword for Frédéric Malle’s brand new book De L’Art Du Parfum, but was also the first person to appear at his Paris launch party. Alas, I missed the foxy blond – others worship her voice but I’m in awe of her intelligence and presence. Still I was pleased to then read that La Deneuve, who always wore Guerlain’s L’Heure Bleue, suddenly threw fragranced caution to the wind and became quite la scentslut when faced with Lipstick Rose, Iris Poudre and other soignée smelling charmers from Frédéric’s Editions de Parfums. Shocking but understandable, considering how I abandoned a full bottle of Diorella for EdP’s En Passant; how Christian Louboutin plies his best girlfriends with EdP’s Lys Méditerranée and how my husband lived in Eau Sauvage until Monsieur Malle introduced him to Mark Birley For Men in 1996.
"Frédéric sums up Inner Chic with his flawless English yet light French accent and his discreet parade of Anderson & Sheppard suits"
Though created by Frédéric and Pierre Bourdon, another inspired nose, the aftershave – named after the late owner of Annabel’s nightclub – is firmly not part of Editions de Parfums. That said, one sniff of Mark Birley and even the most coolheaded women swoon. Of course, the same could be said about Frédéric who sums up Inner Chic with his flawless English yet light French accent and his discreet parade of Anderson & Sheppard suits. Though he was born in Paris and brought up in the former childhood home of Jean-Paul Guerlain, Frédéric now lives with his wife and four children in New York. This is Paris’s loss and Manhattan’s gain. However, whenever I stride pass his rue Mont Thabor boutique, my heart swells with warmth and pride. Fred remains a pal and maestro of his game.
Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni is a Paris-based British journalist who covers fashion and lifestyle as well as being the author of Sam Spiegel – The Biography of A Hollywood Legend, Understanding Chic, an essay from the Paris Was Ours anthology and soon-to-be released Chanel book, for Assouline's fashion series.
Robert Beck is former New Yorker currently based in Paris. Also known as C.J. Rabbitt, he is the author and illustrator of several children's books, including The Tale of Rabbitt in Paradis, Un Lapin à Paris and the soon-to-be-published A Bunny in the Ballet.
