Perfume Palate: a Matter of Taste [Ferris Egoiste]

Ferris (@DkChocoMan on Twitter) is a  very curious, friendly sort of fellow, and he possesses the kind of infectious eagerness to connect with others in the perfume world that makes me very happy to be doing what I do. He and I have one thing in common besides fragrance that came as a surprise as I first read his questionnaire responses: he works in the veterinary industry on the food side, I worked in a clinic setting for 11 years. Eventually I decided to commit myself to what I really love to do (writing and fragrance) and I've been lucky enough to parlay that into a bit of a career for myself.

Blogging about perfume has led to many incredible relationships and events, I've had great luck and have also fought in the trenches for what I believe in (both online and in the real world). I'm still learning, still making mistakes, still laughing a lot and grateful that I have people in my life who get the jokes. It's guys like Ferris who keep me grounded and open to dialogue and shared experiences. 

You can find Ferris in his own little corner of the scented web, and it's called In the Nose: A Fragrance Blog.

First of all, please state your name and occupation:

Ferris, Veterinary Food Inspector.

What is your favorite perfume at the moment?

My favorite perfume at the moment is NY Oud by Bond No. 9

What is your favorite fragrance house or brand of perfume?

Currently my favorite fragrance houses are Bond No. 9 and Chanel.

How often do you wear perfume, and under what circumstances do you wear it?

I wear perfume every day whether it’s going to the office or special evenings out. The only times that I'm fragrance free is when I step out the shower, going for a run or working out at the gym. Depending upon the occasion or event I will vary the dosage/ application, i.e.  dabbing vs spraying or using fragrance infused body lotions.

Is it important to you to know who the perfumer or creator is behind the perfumes you wear?

No, it isn't essential that I know the perfumer; however I find it very fascinating to learn about them and the story that inspired the scent. I think it adds to a perfume’s mystique.

Do you follow the work of certain perfumers, and if so, who?

I don’t follow a particular perfumer; however, I am a fan of most of Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s creations, Fleur du Male specifically. I haven’t tried anything from his private collection yet, but I have heard nothing but great things about it.

Think of an iconic perfume bottle design from the past. What is it?

The most iconic perfume flacon of all time, without question, is the one Guerlain created for its crown jewel Jicky.  It is the epitome of classic bottle designs.

How many times a day do you estimate that you think about perfume?

I can’t really put a number on that; it would be too many to count. LOL I think about perfumes throughout the day. I'm always thinking about the latest creations (classic ones as well) and wondering how they will smell on me compared to the hype about them.

Think of the last time you complimented someone on the fragrance they were wearing. Did you ask them what it was, and if so, did they tell you?

It was very recent, about two weeks ago, one of my coworkers had on a particular perfume that smelled very pretty. I recognized the notes immediately (coumarin, musk, vanillin) as the scent was quite intense. I asked her what it was and to this day I don’t remember what she said.

In just three words, describe your ideal fragrance:

Smooth, luxurious, sophisticated

[ed: I'll take one of those any day of the week!]