Maison IRFÉ 100th Anniversary Summer Dinner in Honor of Fragrance Collection Launch
Maison IRFÉ recently celebrated its centennial anniversary and the launch of its new fragrance line at the Southampton Arts Center, marking the occasion with a glamorous dinner. The fragrance collection features five distinctive scents, each inspired by different feminine archetypes. The perfumes are housed in whimsical doll-shaped bottles, beautifully echoing the artistic and playful spirit of the Arts Center’s sculpture garden. The fragrances reflect Maison IRFÉ’s rich heritage and contemporary elegance, offering a unique olfactory experience.
The event was a stylish blend of high fashion and art, attended by prominent figures from the industry. Olga Sorokina, IRFE’s creative director and a driving force behind the brand’s revival, remarked, "This centennial is not just a celebration of our past but a bold step into a fragrant future, blending our heritage with modern elegance."
The evening also featured an exclusive after-party, where guests mingled amidst a curated selection of art and fashion, enjoying live music and exquisite hors d’oeuvres. The setting provided a perfect backdrop for the unveiling of the new fragrances, which drew inspiration from Maison IRFÉ’s storied history and modern sensibilities
Olga Sorokina, couture designer, has created five exceptionally unique fragrances with premier perfumers at dsm-firmenich.
BY MARTHA MCCULLY | PUBLISHED MAY 13, 2024
Fashion Brand Masion IRFĒ Launches
Luxe Fragrances Targeting Personality Types
When Olga Sorokina left Belarus at age 17 for Paris, she says she “dreamed of fragrance.” What she may not have envisioned is that her path to fragrance would include resurrecting and designing for storied fashion house Maison IRFĒ; creating five fragrances for IRFĒ with dsm-firmenich; launching the collection at Neiman Marcus—and being nominated for the Best New Indie Fragrance at The Fragrance Foundation Awards this June.
But that is how Sorokina’s story unfolded—and her timing was impeccable. Luxury indie fragrances have never been hotter. An Industry Research Biz report on the Luxury Niche Perfume market states that it was valued at $2970 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $7420 million by 2032, representing over a 16% compound annual growth rate. Pamela Vaile, a private marketing and branding consultant whose clients have included L’Oréal, Bath & Body Works, Revlon, and Laura Mercier, worked side-by-side with Sorokina on the development of the IRFĒ fragrances and says their timing was just right. “Look at what’s going on globally, post-pandemic, what we’re finding is that the consumer is totally in love with luxury right now, it’s all about treating ourselves. Niche luxury perfumes are [experiencing] double digit growth since 2021 when stores opened again,” she says. “We are in the sweet spot of fragrance category. This is what the consumer wants.”
The original Maison IRFĒ was the creation of Princess Irina Alexandrovna Romanova (yes, those Romanovs; she was the first granddaughter of Tsar Alexander III and the only biological niece of Tsar Nicolas II) and Prince Felix Yusupoff, who combined their initials and together founded the couture house in 1924 in Paris.
Inspired by this origin story—and with fashion aspirations of her own—Sorokina acquired Maison IRFĒ in the aughts and relaunched it in 2008 with a haute couture collection at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. She followed that up with a ready-to-wear collection in 2009, which was carried by 200 retail stores globally. While designing for women around the world, Sorokina became intrigued by their personality types and began viewing them as female archetypes. That vision became the basis of the five IRFĒ eau de parfum profiles:
Smoldering Pepper is nominated for The Fragrance Foundation Award and was created by perfumer Alexis Grugeon at DSM-Firmenich to represent a “sexy, sensual woman.” Top notes include black pepper, saffron, olibanum; the heart is labdanum, patchouli Indonesia, and cypriol; and the base contains vanilla bourbon, smoked leather, and oud. “This is a very personal fragrance,” says Vaile.
Marshmallow Musk was also created by Grugeon and is all about romance. “Think of a woman wearing lace or a ballerina dress,” says Sorokina. “It’s very feminine.” This blend boasts top notes of Earl Grey tea and magnolia and lavender petals; heart notes of jasmine, marshmallow cotton, and iris nectar; and a base of powdery musk, fluffy woods, and airy vanilla notes.
IRFĒ Saffron Leather is a gender-neutral scent inspired by someone who is “unstoppable and focuses on the business part of their life,” says Sorokina. Perfumer Ilias Ermenidis gave it a fresh green note at the top, saffron and burnt rose at the heart, and a warm leathery base that invokes the feel of leather (although no animal products are used in any IRFĒ fragrance). “These fragrances are all made with sustainable practices and consideration for kindness to earth, people, planet. It’s critical to this brand,” says Vaile. Saffron Leather is nominated for the CEW Beauty Award for Best Personal Scent: Gender Neutral.
Centifolia Rose is a fragrance that captures “the essence of the modern femme fatale—someone who turns heads,” says Sorokina. The top notes include pink pepper, pear, and bergamot; the heart is comprised of rose Damascus, orris, and neroli; and the sensual base boasts cedarwood, sandalwood, and white musk. It was created by DSM-Firmenich perfumer Honorine Blanc, who says her inspiration was a lady in red: “I looked at the IRFĒ red dress created by Olga. You need to have courage and a certain character to wear red. She is daring and brave.” Centifolia Rose is nominated for the CEW Beauty Award for Best Personal Scent: Women.
Patchouli Forever Worn strives to project the “feminine allure” of a “moody lady” who is “emotional and mercurial” says Sorokina. The fragrance combines three varieties of patchouli, tobacco, and sweet honey notes and was created by perfumer Frank Voelkl, who is also known for crafting Le Labo Santal 33. Voelkl says of Patchouli Forever Worn: “The scent is unforgettable.”
In addition to developing personality-driven fragrances (a unique approach, to be sure), the IRFĒ fragrance bottle was also Sorokina’s creation. She designed it in Paris eight years ago and says it “has a connection with the past…and is reminiscent of the dolls from my childhood.”
“The beauty of the brand is that [Sorkina] is so connected to art world and fashion world,” says Vaile. “There’s a multi-dimensional, richness to this brand.”
Neiman Marcus launched the five luxury fragrances ($285 for 50 ML) in April and will offer a Discovery Kit in June ($95 for five vials 3 ML each). Other fragrance specialty retailers will carry IRFĒ, including Atelier d’Emotion and Maison 10 in New York City, Stella Flame Gallery in Bridgehampton, Attic Koncept in Beverly Hills, and Curio at Faena Bazaar in Miami, among others. IRFĒ is now based in New York.
Sorokina’s next fragrance dream? Because she designs her scents “with appeal on a global scale,” expect IRFĒ fragrances to expand into Dubai and Europe soon.
Source: www.cew.org
Maison IRFÉ Celebrates Double Nomination
at the Prestigious 2024 Cosmetic Executive Women’s
Fragrance Awards
New York, NY -Maison IRFÉ, a new comer in the world of luxury fragrances, is proud to announce its recent nominations for the esteemed 2024 Cosmetic Executive Women’s (CEW) Fragrance Awards. In a remarkable recognition of excellence and innovation, Maison IRFÉ’s latest fragrance collection has been honored in two distinct categories, highlighting the brand’s commitment to olfactory artistry and creative excellence.
The 2024 CEW Fragrance Awards, known for celebrating the finest achievements in the fragrance industry, recognized two of Maison IRFÉ’s new creations: Centifolia Rose and Saffron Leather. These nominations underscore Maison IRFÉ’s mastery in blending traditional perfumery with modern sensibilities, crafting scents that resonate with today’s diverse and discerning consumers.
Centifolia Rose: The Centifolia Rose Eau de Parfum by Maison IRFÉ draws its inspiration from the iconic "Lady in Red", a figure enamored with the color of passion and power. This fragrance embodies a femme fatale, one who effortlessly commands any room with her presence. Just like the essence of woman power, it is bold, complex, diffusive, and rich, offering a unique olfactory experience. Evoking a sense of both being lost and found, this scent captures the enigmatic allure of those who embrace the strength and allure of the color red.
Saffron Leather: The Saffron Leather Eau de Parfum by Maison IRFÉ draws inspiration from the essence of the "Tuxedo Lady," a figure who effortlessly transitions from trying on ten dresses to stepping out in jeans with a grace that is both understated and keen. This fragrance embodies elegance and discerning taste, defining sophistication in every refined note. Just like the Tuxedo Lady herself, it exudes unstoppable grace through its composition, capturing the allure of refined lines and timeless style in a bottle.
“We are deeply honored by these nominations, which reflect the passion, dedication, and creativity that Maison IRFÉ puts into every bottle,” said Olga Sorokina, the owner of Maison IRFÉ. “Our team is committed to pushing the boundaries of perfumery, and it is incredibly rewarding to see our efforts recognized by the Cosmetic Executive Women’s Fragrance Awards.”
The winners of the 2024 CEW Fragrance Awards will be announced at the upcoming gala event, an occasion for the beauty industry to celebrate amazing new fragrances.
IRFE Fragrance Receives Prestigious Nomination for Best New Indie Fragrance Award by The Fragrance Foundation
New York, NY – Maison IRFE is thrilled to announce that our signature fragrance, the IRFE Smoldering Pepper Fragrance, has been nominated for the esteemed Best New Indie Fragrance award by The Fragrance Foundation.
The Fragrance Foundation Awards, often referred to as the "Oscars of the fragrance industry," celebrates excellence in perfumery and recognizes outstanding achievements in fragrance creation.
The IRFE Smoldering Pepper Fragrance, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and inspired by the timeless elegance of Maison IRFE, has captivated the senses of fragrance enthusiasts worldwide since its launch.
"We are deeply honored and proud to receive this prestigious nomination from The Fragrance Foundation," said Olga Sorokina, the owner of Maison IRFE. "This nomination is a testament to the dedication and creativity of our creative team, led by Perfumer Alexi Grudgeon from Firmenich, and it reinforces our commitment to pushing boundaries and creating memorable olfactory experiences "
The Best New Indie Fragrance category highlights the innovative spirit and unique offerings of independent fragrance brands, making this nomination particularly meaningful for Maison IRFE.
The winners of the Fragrance Foundation Awards will be announced at a gala event on April 11th, where industry leaders, influencers, and fragrance enthusiasts will come together to celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship of perfumery.
As Maison IRFE eagerly awaits the results, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to The Fragrance Foundation and our dedicated supporters for their continued encouragement and appreciation.
For its centenary, the IRFE Fashion House has created
a new Fragrance Collection
This year will mark 100 years since the founding of the IRFE Fashion House in 1924 in Paris. In honor of this event, creative director Olga Sorokina created a new collection of fragrances, consisting of five different scents, inspired by five different female characters.
The bottles were created according to the design of Olga Sorokina by specialists from the FRANCELAB Company, the fragrances were produced by the famous Company DSM FIRMENICH. Inspired by the elegance of the brand’s iconic dresses, each bottle is a miniature fashionista doll, complete with a silver metal head and shoulders exuding sophistication. The lower part of the bottle showcases multi-colored glass, mirroring the vibrant hues of our signature dresses. Elevate your fragrance game with the touch of couture flair. Each doll has its own dress color and character.
The bottles were created according to the design of Olga Sorokina by specialists from the FRANCELAB company, the fragrances were produced by the famous company DSM FIRMENICH.Inspired by the elegance of the brand’s iconic dresses, each bottle is a miniature fashionista doll, complete with a silver metal head and shoulders exuding sophistication. The lower part of the bottle showcases multi-colored glass, mirroring the vibrant hues of our signature dresses. Elevate your fragrance game with the touch of couture flair. Each doll has its own dress color and character.
IRFE opens showroom on Fifth Avenue in New York
In February 2023, Maison IRFE opened a Showroom at 745 5th Avenue, Suite 510, New York, NY, 10135.
The Showroom is located in the heart of Fashion New York, in the beautiful art deco Bergdorf Goodman Building