Penhaligon's Love Machine and Mook

The Penhaligon's store in Covent Garden in London had this delightful Love Machine-themed window display in anticipation of Valentine's Day.


The pride of place goes to their LP No. 9, an oriental fragrance with an intriguing contrast of lemon, lavender and sweet carnation against a warm base of cedar, vanilla and spice. (The name is a nod to the classic song 'Love Potion No. 9'.)


A similar display at the Penhaligon's store along Regent Street.


Thanks to a friend, I recently received the Penhaligon's mook from Kinokuniya in Singapore. This is the first ever Penhaligon's mook (Japanese publishing lingo for "magazine book"). Both Makeup Stash and Shine, Shimmer & Sparkle have also written about it.

The magazine comes with two zip pouches made of polyester and PVC, measuring 20x26x4.5cm and 10.5x13x2.5cm.

Adorned with pink grosgrain ribbons reminiscent of those that typically decorate Penhaligon's fragrance bottles, the well-padded pouches are both of good quality, with neat stitching and fully covered inner seams. The print is a collage of assorted Penhaligon's fragrance labels against a rich chocolate background.

The smaller pouch works well as a digital camera case or for carrying a lipstick and face powder for touch ups on the go.



Surprisingly, the larger pouch was actually able to fit my iPad 1, although it does take a bit of manoeuvring to slide it in as the zip opening is just a teensy bit too small.

The mook is mostly a glossy brand catalogue, with an in-depth look at the brand's history and philosophy plus a detailed description of the various Penhaligon's fragrances and their composition of notes. It also includes a visit to the head office in London and interviews with Japanese personalities like stylist Yumie Kazama, singer Bro.kone and writer Reiko Yuyama on their love for the brand.



Recent Christmas collections

In the message from Penhaligon's CEO, she talks about how each fragrance is inspired by unusual elements. For example, their first fragrance, Hammam Bouquet (produced in 1872) was inspired by the steam and sulphurous aromas of Turkish baths while Sartorial (produced in 2010) was inspired by the bespoke tailors of Savile Row.


The mook retails at S$36.70, which is quite expensive (although you can get a 10% discount with the Kinokuniya members' card). Nevertheless, it will probably appeal to people who are already fans of the brand.


Sara of Icyabract just wrote about her scent profiling session at the Penhaligon's store in Ion Orchard. Do check it out!