New Perfumes: Paprika Brasil & Elixir des Merveilles by Hermès

• The house of Hermes has announced that it will launch a 6th perfume in the collection Hermessence called Paprika Brasil. Jean-Claude Ellena, the in-house perfumer was inspired by anthropologist Levi-Strauss' description in Tristes Tropiques of the impact made on European culture by the introduction of the "bois de braise" indigenous to South America.

In the 15th and 16th centuries this wood was massively imported to Europe to serve as a natural red dye. The name of the country Brazil derives from the Portuguese, "pau-brasil" meaning ember-wood due to its orange-red color as it was "discovered" by the former. It is also called brazilwood or pernambuco. The wood is considered uniquely suited to making violin bows. Paprika Brasil will retail for 135 Euros for a bottle of 100 ml or 350 Euros with a special red leather sheath.

• Hermes will also also introduce Elixir des Merveilles, a variation on Eau des Merveilles, in the fall. They consider it to be a major event. Notes include sandalwood, ambergris, chocolate, and orange. The edp will be priced 60 and 95 Euros for the 50 ml and 100 ml bottles. "In parallel, a luxury limited edition (450 bottles priced at €1,100) of Parfum des Merveilles will be offered in a blue Saint Louis crystal bottle by French designer Serge Mansau."

Source: Cosmetic News