Lola James Harper

Shop the post: an olfactory escape



Lola James Harper - The Betty Lee

Going anywhere nice this year? If not, perhaps you’d like an olfactory vacation? No, not the classic coconut-and-vanilla beachy blends, but something much more niche and personal.

It’s the era of the hyper-specific location perfume. Rather than Mediterranean colognes and fruity-florals, the latest crop of wanderlust fragrances are landing in far-flung places like Dubai, Tokyo and the Sahara Desert or close-to-home hang-outs like The Woody Office of Daddy and The Bomboneria in Barcelona*. (more…)



An olfactory tribute to Colette



Lola James Harper Colette concept store candle and room scent

Colette may be no more, but I like this olfactory tribute to the OG Paris concept store. Fragrance and lifestyle brand, Lola James Harper has reproduced the classic figgy Colette candle, ‘L’Air de Colette‘ in a newly reconfigured candle and room spray (from £35). It’s the old scent with a new name, ‘213 Rue Saint-Honoré Air‘, so if you’re mourning the demise of one of the best retail destinations of our time, here’s the perfect olfactory memento.

I remember discovering Lola James Harper’s candles in Colette. (more…)



How to discover niche fragrances



Selfridges fragrance concept space ground floor

Perfume departments are becoming all about discovery, mimicking the feel of concept stores like Colette and The Avery Perfume Gallery. Selfridges has taken its cue from this, with a new fragrance and home scent destination on the ground floor, dedicated to a mix of niche brands old and new. It’s a far cry from ye olde big brand approach. For starters, no-one will assault you with a flacon of Angel. Instead, there are islands of products, with the cult faves Fornasetti, Diptyque, Penhaligon’s and Frederic Malle rubbing shoulders with lesser-known brands, many of which are very new. (more…)