The brisk wind came up the Avenue Montaigne from the Seine blowing the first falling leaves of autumn past the elegant boutiques of Louis Vuitton, Dior, Bulgari and all the houses of style.
The dancing leaves unceremoniously slapped up against my shins and announced that fall was an impending affair. The early cold snap sent me scuttling into the Plaza Athénée at number 25.
This beautiful hotel has always embraced me with its legendary warmth.
The wonderful smells from its many restaurants and the geraniums in the courtyard, with its signature red awnings over every window, began the familiar old welcome.
There is that one special part of the hotel, my little respite from the glamour and hubbub of Pairs and for that matter the world.
The little corner table in La Galerie des Gobelins, that wonderful little gem of a restaurant in the heart of the hotel.
Once seated by the Maitre’D I ordered my favorite afternoon snack: Coeur de saumon fumé d’écosse, pain Poilâne toasté with a bouteille of 2006 Margaux Segla.
As I waited for the delights to come I was subtly nudged by the most wonderful pipe tobacco, and vanilla interlaced with mint and citrus from the bar.
Musky amber invaded the blend and met in a harmonious orgasmic rush with flowers from the courtyard and spices of every imaginable description that floated on the air from the kitchens.
All these wonderful aromas are the scent of rich, elegant, aloof yet so accessible Paris.
They recalled my most romantic nights in the city when I was a little younger, a little more carefree.
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This then is the impression I get in the experience of wearing the very wonderful and truly unique fragrance that is Jacques Fath Pour L’Homme.
The first thing that made me sit up and take notice of this perfume, that was introduced by the Parisian house of Jacques Fath back in 1998, was the classical presentation and elegance of the wonderful flacon.
It is very reminiscent of the old pharmacy bottle design for Chanel No.5. The small understated label in gold with the unicorn and scissors coat of arms, topped with a hearty metal cap with the embossed coat of arms. It’s all encompassing beauty is rich and arresting in its simplicity.
Then there is the fragrance.
A gloriously classical 90’s powerhouse that is only for the most discerning, smart, chic and confident of men.
It is not for boys to bathe in before a night out in a sweaty overheated club.
No, it is for something more refined. It is eternally masculine, bold and seductive and not in an obvious ‘you can’t take your eyes off of me I am so handsome’ way.
This is for grownups whose allure is not cultivated but engrained.
A man who’s self-assuredness ignites his natural sexiness. Nothing is more alluring than someone who is unaware of their appeal.
It lasts eight to nine hours and elicits complements through out the day.
It opens not with a shout but with a song of vanilla, tobacco and lavender, in the heart is an aria of sublime blending of its notes of woods mint and citrus.
The dry down is incredibly warm and sensuous with musk and amber dominating and ending the experience.
Jacques Fath Pour L’homme is a real find.
It is sublime.
This sublime slice of Paris was brought to you by The Perfumed Dandy’s very special guest star Mr Lanier Smith of the truly impeccable blog Scents Memory.
I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Scents Memory at the earliest possible opportunity to experience more of Mr Smith’s wonderful reviews.
For any of you that haven’t yet had the chance to catch it, Mr Smith was the subject of last weeks The Sunday Supplement Interview.
Do have a look won’t you!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
The Perfumed Dandy. 