STEPHAN'S SIX - FOUR OF THE BEST

This final week before the start of a new year is always a little bit of a “limbo land” for perfume articles. Everyone has so many other things to do during these final seven days but, in case you are looking for something to read this week, I’ve gone through the past twelve months of “Stephan’s Six” interviews and picked my favourite four. There were over forty this year to choose from, ranging from perfumers to painters, and picking between them was difficult because they were all different and fascinating in their own ways. So, I hope you enjoy my “best of” selection from “Stephan’s Six”.

To read the articles please click on the images and you'll be taken to their original "Stephan's Six" interview.

There is no way that I couldn’t include my interview with Jane Monheit in the top four of 2016. She is a fantastic American jazz singer and, after releasing twelve albums, her reputation is cast-iron. Originally published on 21st November, Jane talked about how scent had captured the memories of singing at the Plush Room in San Francisco (now Feinstein’s at the Nikko).

We now jump back to 25th January and a visit from the wackiest of all of my interviewees. Yes, you’ve guessed it, it’s 4160 Tuesday’s perfumer Sarah McCartney. It is very easy to take yourself too seriously when you work in the fragrance industry but Sarah is the absolute opposite. She is approachable, funny, strong minded, but most of all she is incredibly talented.

On the 20th June “Stephan’s Six” was taken over by the wonderful Luca Turin. He was a hard man to pin down but his very succinct answers were all delivered with pinpoint accuracy. Now “retired” from perfume writing (although I hope not permanently) his observations on Habanita by Molinard and Poison by Dior were priceless.

When Richard E Grant agreed to be part of “Stephan’s Six” on 3rd October I had no idea that his answers would run from Brylcreem to Dior. Famous for the 1987 film Withnail and I, Richard has maintained an impressive acting career alongside launching his own fragrance brand. He’s also kept his feet firmly on the ground, which is why he’s such a thoroughly nice chap.

The full list of interviews can be seen by clicking on the “Stephan’s Six” tab above and, rest assured, there are some great ones already planned for 2017.