If you consider yourself a “scents’itive” person like me, with a passion for luxury and rare perfumes, you should keep on reading. I have made a discovery you don’t want to miss, believe me! What makes a scent special? In my opinion, an extraordinary fragrance should be unexpected, sensual, unique and soulful. A scent that takes you by surprise, that combines the new with the intimately familiar, and that turnes your inner beauty into an olfactive miracle. That’s a rare catch! Thus, I couldn’t be more pleased to share with you my latest find: HERVÉ GAMBS PARIS 1989, a beautiful collection of the finest nonconformist haute perfumes, created by the exceptional Parisian artist Hervé Gambs. I’ll let you know why his fragrances are the beginning of a scentful love affair.
HERVÉ GAMBS is not a perfumer but a creator that instinctively uses an olfactive material as an Art. Far from standard perfumes, his creations are unique and full of truth. Each one is a discovery of selected raw ingredients from nature, a focus on asperities and unbelievable subtleties, that make their signature beauty. To magnify his compositions, HERVÉ GAMBS slowly but surely extends the maceration process to allow time for all components to melt quietly and sublimate the heart of each perfume, giving it back more depth making it remarkable long-lasting.
HERVÉ GAMBS – A TRUE LOVE STORY
HERVÉ GAMBS and Perfume, this is a love story that began when he was a child. The story beginning with his grandfather, who had arrived on the Mediterranean coast, buying rose fields in Grasse with the dream of a good business but unfortunately too early to succeed.
A graduate of interior design, he began his career in the 80’s with an event agency and the need for creative freedom in which the breath of perfumes was created. He built his own company, the press fell in love with him and he quickly became famous for his dramatic flower compositions and sophisticated home fragrances sold all over the world.
“I’M QUITE CONVINCED THAT THE ESSENCE OF BEAUTY IS HIDDEN INSIDE THE HEART OF NATURE” – HERVÉ GAMBS
In search of more support to express his inspiration, he decided in 2012 to venture out and finally design fine perfumes. After a hard year working on raw materials, he selected those that spoke to him and created a “Parfum couture” line, a celebration of 5 typical perfume families revisited in the tradition of excellence of the High French Perfumery. Then followed by French Riviera, 3 intense Colognes, strongly fresh, illustrate his holiday memories on the coast d’Azur.
In 2015, Black collection, a triptych of Eaux de Parfum based on woody notes, takes his inspiration from untamed material and sophisticated formulas. This duality became the very meaning of his work, a signature present in all designs. For his perfume bottle, HERVÉ GAMBS gives a total makeover to the perfume laboratory flask from the 19th century, revisiting it in a contemporary way while keeping the original uncluttered. He transforms this simple glass container into a modern and luxurious object with an ultra-shiny lacquer coating that also protects the precious liquid from UV rays.
“A PERFUME COMES FROM THE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE RAW MATERIAL AND THE UNCOMPROMISING PERSONALITY OF A CREATOR” – HERVÉ GAMBS
The logo inspired by Art Deco style, graphics and detailed, picks up the iconic flowers of the brand enclosed in a circle, as a nod to his endless passion for nature. Stamped on the cap or repeated on the packaging, it illustrates the extreme refinement and the attention to details that characterize HERVÉ GAMBS and its perfume collections.
HERVE GAMBS’ house is a thoroughly modern vision of High French Perfumery far from spiritless standards of the market, with the omnipresent desire to reveal and sublimate the beauty hidden inside nature.
HERVÉ GAMBS COLOGNE INTENSE
A journey through olfactive childhood memories of the French Riviera. A regressive, authentic and delighted fragrance collection, which merges the freshness of a cologne and the intensity of a long-lasting perfume. 3 fragrances for women and men who want to experience the intensity of nature and dive into all happy moments of holidays.
Cologne Intense “HOTEL RIVIERA”
Refreshing // Tonic // Sunny
This fragrance takes one to a memorable journey around the Mediterranean. It adds the freshness of mint and citrus on a bed of orange flowers heated by the sun and sublimated by the cedar wood to prolong this moment of freshness sensation.
With Tangerine, Bergamot, Orange Flowers and Cedar Wood.
Cologne Intense “LA BAIE DES ANGES”
Happy // Addictive // Playful
An incredibly addictive delicacy that makes you want to extend the holiday. The sweet freshness of grapefruit and rhubarb on jasmine, ylang-ylang, and vanilla makes the fragrance last this sunny and happy moment.
With Grapefruit, Rhubarb, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Vanilla.
Cologne Intense “DOMAINE DU CAP”
Green // Natural // Raw
This fragrance brings the memories of long walks in the bush of Southern France. Basil, thyme, lemon, and fennel give strength and intensity to this amazing Cologne.
With Thyme, Rosemary, Basil, Wild Fennel and Cedar Wood.
Cologne Intense “PINK EVIDENCE”
Floral // Feminity // Playful
This HERVÉ GAMBS perfume is a tribute to the Parisian Woman in all her charms and paradoxes. Never trust appearances, this classical accord of white flowers powdered by violet and iris, first seems very expected but is offset by the playful yuzu and the warmth of ylang-ylang for a young, tonic and inflamed perfume… Like a stolen kiss!
With Yuzu, Hawthorn, Ylang Ylang, Violet, and Iris.
HERVÉ GAMBS PARFUMS COUTURE
The classic French Haute Perfumery revisited by the Parisian designer. Raw materials of the highest quality and technical expertise of maceration give this collection a unique olfactory quality, resulting in the formation of rare and nonconformist perfumes for demanding women and men.
Parfum Couture “JARDIN PRIVÉ”
Earl Grey // Woody // Chic
The aroma of Mediterranean citrus and Japanese green tea blend together to form this surprising and subtle fragrance. An elegant accord is shaped when the contrast of the freshness of the tangerine and the warm bergamot are sublimated by the Japanese green tea. The woody base of vetiver and patchouli brings a depth of intense refinement.
With Tangerine, Bergamot, Japanese Green Tea, Vetiver Roots, Patchouli.
Parfum Couture “HÔTEL PARTICULIER”
Amber // Floral // Sensual
This sensual and contemporary fragrance comes to life with a delicate blend of vanilla, rose and tonka bean enhanced by amber and sandalwood notes. This accord brings exceptional depth and extreme elegance.
With Rose, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Amber, and Sandalwood.
Parfum Couture “COUP DE GRÂCE”
Floral // Spicy // Intense
Sensuality and intensity in its purest form. The magic of a bold Damask rose is magnified by the intense saffron on a base of deep amber, vetiver, and sandalwood for this compelling and rebellious fragrance.
With Damask Rose, Saffron, Amber and Sandalwood.
Parfum Couture “ROUGE CARDINAL”
Oriental // Mystic // Ultra Sensual
A heavenly and unconventional fragrance result of a captivating accord of orange flower, incense, and patchouli, enhanced by vanilla and cocoa absolute. This fragrance is all set to travel the mind and senses.
With Incense, Orange Flower, Patchouli, Madagascar Vanilla and Cocoa Bean.
Parfum Couture “COEUR COURONNÉ”
Liquor // Powerful // Aristocrate
A bouquet of neroli and jasmine coated with the rare note of the davana flower and an incredible note of candied fruit create such noble and contemporary fragrance. A touch of Malgach vanilla to magnifies this intense vintage nectar.
With Neroli, Jasmine, Davana and Madagascar Vanilla.
HERVÉ GAMBS EAUX DE PARFUM NOIR
In a world where olfactory creativity has lost all originality, HERVÉ GAMBS, unconventional creator, writes a new chapter in its history with a black woody and spicy perfume inspired by the animal nature which lurks in all of us and reveals a powerful sensuality.
Eau de Parfum “OMBRE SAUVAGE”
Woody // Leather // Intense
A modern and intense fragrance inspired by the animal leather. Elegant accord of cedar wood, roots of Haitian vetiver, magnified by Madagascar vanilla and tonka bean create an irresistible note melting on the skin.
With Birch Wood, Pink Pepper, Vetiver Roots, Tonka Bean and Madagascar Vanilla.
A smell is worth a thousand words! It’s a shame that I can’t add each fragrance to this blog post. Can you imagine? I personally love all the perfumes from HERVÉ GAMBS, but of
I personally love all the perfumes from HERVÉ GAMBS, but of course, I have my favorites. One of them is “Ombre Sauvage”, the other is …. I really appreciate the fact that all fragrances, except “PinkEvidence”, are unisex. I’m a big fan of unisex perfumes!
Which one will be your favorite fragrance? If you are in Mallorca, I’m happy to invite you to my hair and beauty salon in Palma. Here you can try every single perfume yourself. So come in and convince yourself!
By the way, with a perfume of Hervé Gambs you’ll have a great Christmas gift for someone special.
Warm regards,
Silke von Rolbiezki
WHERE TO FIND PERFUMES FROM HERVÉ GAMBS?
In Mallorca, HERVÉ GAMBS is exclusively available at SILKE VON ROLBIEZKI COIFFURE, your hair and beauty salon in the center of Palma. If you are based outside of Mallorca, look for other authorized partners of Hervé Gambs.
If you are based outside of Mallorca, look for other authorized partners of Hervé Gambs.
This article was written by Silke von Rolbiezki.
Silke von Rolbiezki is a hairdresser, hair stylist, and owner of ‘Silke von Rolbiezki Coiffure’ in Palma de Mallorca. She has been involved and connected for more than 20 years in the high-end hairdressing industry. She has perfected her skills over time with top hair stylists in Germany and Spain. In addition to cutting and styling, Silke is very well known for her extensive expertise in hair coloring.
Text: © Silke von Rolbiezki Coiffure, 2017
Photography: All Pictures by © Alexander von Rolbiezki; except picture no. 2 by © Hervé Gambs, 2017; and picture no. 1, 2, 18 by © Soravit Lertphiphat.
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