When an industry insider with over 20 years experience and is a person who’s opinion you trust and value, informs you that he needs to introduce to the best fragrence he’s ever smelt. You kinda stop what you were doing and sit up and listen.

This is the case with Frédéric Malle‘s latest creation To the Editions de Parfums family,  COLOGNE INDELEBILE. Malle grew up immersed in the world of perfumery; his grandfather, Serge Heftler, was most notably the founder of the legendary French house Parfums Christian Dior. Malle started his own career in 1986, at the prestigious perfume creation labs Roure Bertrand Dupont. Over the years, he acquired a profound knowledge of the raw materials of which perfumes are composed, as well as a strong sense of olfactory balance. Simply, he is an “evaluator,” the professional term defining a specialist whose deep understanding of fragrance structure and accords enables him to critique a perfume’s composition.

His contribution to the creation of the different fragrances sold under the Editions de Parfums varies depending on the nose’s personal desire. Perfumers call on him to assess their works in progress and to exchange ideas. His involvement depends on the project and ranges from total non-intervention to sleeves-rolled-up creative partnerships with the noses.

In this collaborative instance a simple seed of an idea while Frédéric was in conversation with Dominique Ropion, who like Malle honed his craft at Roure Bertrand Dupont. This was enough to entice Mr. Ropion (who despite his large body of work had never worked on a cologne) to concentrate his creative might on a future interpretation of this classic perfume.

The first trials of this fragrance were so dangerously sexy that they would have probably satisfied most; but the perfectionist and craftsman in Ropion thought that he could go further and turn the scent into a “classic”. The final perfume is made mostly from an assemblage of modern musk oils interlaced with Orange Flower, Neroli, Lemon and Bergamot. It embraces musk’s nature as both a aphrodisiac and a scent of purity to create a very personal interpretation of Eau de Cologne, the result being a scent that endures, and endures, and endures… Cologne Indélébile (Permanent Cologne).

Wow it’s not ever day that you are able to use a line from, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” as a headline. Now if that isn’t something to celebrate, then there’s no pleasing some people !

Anyway, back down to business, when thinking up the name of your new Men’s grooming company, jeez there has to be much names that roll off the tounge, than Scaramouche & Fandango, but that’s what friends Ian Linaker and Kenny Harmel decided on when they ditched their corporate jobs to take on the Goliaths of the grooming industry.

Scaramouche & Fandango intends to change the face of male grooming by putting the simplicity back into skincare – it’s all about simple science. They’re choosing to ditch the complex oversell that can often accompany products on the market and focus on delivering a range that looks good and simply performs.

Having just celebrated their second birthday back in February, they pride themselves on ensuring all their products are made in the UK, and the range is decidedly British in its no frills approach. They have quite a compact offering made using only the finest ingredients and packaged in a bold and intuitive way.

The range uses one signature fragrance across the range to keep things simple and is fully paraben free. Key products with in the range include;

Body Wash (Bw) With Remineralising Brazilian Papaya and Vitamin E Complex. This has a rich lather that leaves skin feeling squeaky clean and refreshed, with the added bonus of being oil, silicone and paraben-free.

Shampoo (Sh)Made with Cleansing Black Quinoa and Shea Butter to remove excess oils and dirt from the hair. Keravis protein keeps hair strong and healthy, protecting against day-to-day pollution.

4 in 1 Sports wash (Sw) Suitable for Hair, Face, Body and Shave. Energising caffeine extracts pack a punch in this invigorating 4in1 wash. Taking care of both hair and skin, the Guar Gum moisturises and conditions whilst also allowing for that perfect shave.

Today sees the launch of a new feature where we ask key industry figures to let us in on those essential items they couldn’t live without. The subject of today’s feature is David Olsen, vice president of global beauty & grooming for both NET-A-PORTER.COM and MR PORTER.COM. In his role, Olsen oversees the global beauty and grooming planning, buying, sales, marketing and communication functions, for the group. Olsen has a Bachelor of Arts from UC Berkeley and a JD/MBA from the University of Miami.

1) Czech and Speake-manicure set

Having nice, clean looking nails is a must, especially when you are in front of clients day in, day out. This set is the highlight of our Czech & Speake collection – it’s premium, unique and can be easily packed away in a suitcase.

2)  Aesop-Dapper Gentleman

Aesop collaborated with us to design this bestselling exclusive. The kit includes the products every man needs to freshen up tired skin.

3) D R Harris-Arlingon kit

D R Harris has been around since 1790. That says it all. When I have time for a proper shave, this is my go-to brand. The products are well made and the Arlington scent is classic and refreshing.

4) Patricks Pomade

Patricks hair product range is truly one-of-a-kind. The packaging design is unique – it features a double lock system so the package doesn’t open while travelling, dimensions inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, and a no-slip rubber grip system – that it’s easy to forget that the pomade contains a hair loss prevention compound.

5) Bigelow-Rose Salve

This is the ultimate skin defense for the UK’s cold temperatures. C.O. Bigelow has been a Manhattan institution for over 100 years. I can always rely on them for quality products, with a rich and old-New York feel.

6) Pankhurst-Silver Fox Shampoo

I’m counting on this product to help me age gracefully. Pankhurst’s award-winning formulations and handsome packaging will take you straight back to the Bentley-designed barber chairs of their Carnaby Street Shop.

A*Men, originally launched back in 1996 as a men’s fragrance created from the richness of Thierry Mugler’s own imagination, drawing heavily on his characteristic symbolism. The fragrance itself reflects the duality of the Mugler man: a powerful, strength of character belying an emotional sensual side beneath. This original scent evoked by the fresh, metallic purity of peppermint and lavender, combining with a reassuring sensuality of a woody blend of patchouli and Atlas cedarwood. Contrasting this is a fiery explosiveness of coffee, styrax, and powerful notes of musk and tonka bean.

However, the man of the 21st-century is very different to his counterpart of the last millennium and so A*MEN brings you a new twist on the original: Ultra Zest. Shaken, not stirred, this new male fragrance will tantalise the senses as it bursts with fresh, citrus, spicy and woody notes. This refreshing cocktail dares you to stand out from the crowd, be bold and go where most won’t dare to go.

It offers the perfect cocktail of woody, spicy and citrus notes and once again evokes emotions in equal measures. We have, Vigour, supplied by The fresh scents of mandarin, blood orange and ginger to tantalise the senses. Attitude, comes thanks to a mix of cinnamon, coffee and black pepper to give the fragrance its strength and unwitting character and of course,  Seduction, thanks to vanilla, patchouli and tonka bean to create a sophisticated and sensual scent.

The energetic orange flask containing this elexia explodes with colour whilst the signature star of Thierry Mugler, shines from within.

Alfred Dunhill is a luxury house that has seen many changed in its illustrious 122 year history, the latest being the launch of the new fragrance ICON. The signature masculine scent marks the beginning of a new and exciting era for dunhill’s fragrance category. Taking inspiration from the evocative world of British motoring design the fragrance is designed with a new generation of global consumers in mind. ICON is positioned to have an integrally refined style that reflects the dunhill ethos of a self-assured, sophisticated urban gentleman.

The driving force behind this, and many more smart and adventurous advances is John Ray, with his arrival in 2012 as Creative Director, Ray heralded a renewed sense of creativity for the heritage brand. Continuing the journey to refine the very essence of British men’s style it is John’s aim to let the world rediscover the house of Dunhill’s rich history of quality and quintessentially British take on masculine style. The ICON fragrance encapsulates this long-standing commitment to innovation. Through the use of iconic design and exceptional ingredients Dunhill have created a product that reflects the core brand values of Alfred Dunhill, a quintessential British pioneer, obsessed with detail and fanatical about quality, craftsmanship and original thinking.

ICON is an audacious, stylish scent. A future classic of the perfumer’s art, ICON has been conceptualised by Master Perfumer, Carlos Benaim. Ingredients gathered from the mythical travels of the dunhill man, a worldly sophisticated traveller, the smell exotic and distinctive. ICON opens with the ultimate blend of rare and expensive ingredients. Sleek top notes of Italian Bergamot and Neroli Absolute intertwine with a racy black pepper, fusing the mid-notes of cardamom and Lavender de Provence to add a unique twist of masculinity. At the base, revel in the beguiling warmth of smokey Oud wood, and an Oris-leather accord, alluring in depth blended with earthy Vetiver and a hint of oak moss melding, into an Iconic signature scent.