Natural Perfumers Guild Founder Mandy Aftel Named One of Top Seven Bespoke Perfumers in the World

The Natural Perfumers Guild is proud to announce that founder Mandy Aftel of Aftelier Perfumes has been ranked one of the Top Seven Bespoke Perfumers in the world by Forbes magazine. Click the link to view a slideshow of the seven named bespoke perfumers. Forbes is recognized as a leading financial magazine and has given the nod to Mandy, a pioneer in natural perfumery, placing her bespoke products alongside those of Guerlain and other corporate perfume houses.

Natural Perfumers Guild Founder Mandy Aftel's Living Perfume Exhibit - New York - April 18 - May 11, 2009

Living Perfume - An Interactive Exhibit Showcasing the work of
natural perfumer Mandy Aftel

Henri Bendel, the iconic New York retailer announced that it will hold an exhibit Living Perfume: The Natural Alchemy of Mandy Aftel April 18 – May 11, 2009, featuring the perfume, the craft, and the collection of leading natural perfumer, Mandy Aftel. Henri Bendel is the exclusive retailer of Aftel’s Aftelier line of hand-blended scents which are created from the world’s finest natural ingredients.

This interactive and historic exhibit will showcase the extraordinary materials that bring to life the art and science of natural perfume. It will be created and installed using the responsible design principles of sustainable materials and eco-friendly sourcing, and draw its inspiration from the natural world where natural fragrance originates.

"It is rare to have the opportunity to usher in a new art form, especially one that embodies such great beauty. We consider Aftelier to be the leader in natural perfume and are excited about sharing it with our customers through this historic exhibit" states Claudia Lucas, Senior Vice President of Beauty & Gifts for Henri Bendel.

The recipient of the Sense of Smell Institute’s Richard B. Solomon Award, Mandy Aftel stands in the threshold of a new art form – her beautiful collection is based on the ancient art of blending aromatics and essential oils with a new exploration into the art, science, and meaning of natural perfume.

“As potent as it can be, however, smell is the most neglected of our senses. Rational precepts and the industrial age have separated our minds, bodies and spirits, and further separated us from nature. Natural Perfume, created from natural materials and aromatics is multi-layered phenomenon: In a breath, we are able to reconnect with the natural world and ourselves in new and profound ways.” said Aftel.

Living Perfume: The Natural Alchemy of Mandy Aftel exhibit is dedicated to the sense of smell, aromatics, and the art of natural perfume, with interactive learning opportunities for the public. The Exhibit will feature Aftel’s body of work: her perfumes and oils, her research and writings, her personal library of rare books, graphics, and artifacts - to offer a unique and foundational view of this world.

Shown below is a drawing of the entrance to the exhibit,
featuring botanical and animal images.

Natural Perfumers Guild Associate Jeanne Rose to Teach Distillation Class in Napa

Class date: May 23, 2009

Distillation of Rose.

We will meet at a beautiful Napa Ranch where dozens of Kazanlik Roses grow. We will learn to pick, and distill the Rose for perfect hydrosol and essential oil. A rare opportunity to see and work with the real old Rose used for hundreds of years for its magical romantic scent.

You will learn to distill from a copper 5-gallon home size stove-stop still. Have fun and learn something new. (This is the beginning of the Memorial Day Weekend so if you are coming book your accommodations early)

This is with Jeanne Rose and is not yet on the calendar. Please call 415-564-6785 to enroll.
Starts at 10-2 or until 3. $175.00 http://www.jeannerose.net/calendar.html

Natural Perfumers Guild Associate, Author Avery Gilbert, Nominated for a Los Angeles Times 2008 Book Prize

The Los Angeles Times today announced the nominees for its 2008 Book Prizes, and the Natural Perfumers Guild is pleased to share the news that Guild Associate, author Avery Gilbert has been nominated in the Science & Technology category for What the Nose Knows: The Science of Scent in Everyday Life.

Prize winners will be revealed on April 24th at an exclusive, invitation-only ceremony at The Times’ Chandler Auditorium. The event leads-off the 14th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, one of the nation’s premier public literary festivals and the largest of its kind on the West Coast, April 25-26 on the UCLA campus.

To read a review of What the Nose Knows by Guild President Anya McCoy, please visit Basenotes. The book may be purchased online at Amazon (where it is also available as a Kindle book) and other online and retail stores.