Luckyscent
Fragrance X
Indiescents
First in Fragrance
99Perfume
ExcelsisUSA
Parfum1
My Photo
Name:
Location: New York, NY
© Copyright 2005-2011 Perfume-Smellin' Things
All rights reserved
Custom Search

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Tableau de Parfums Miriam... and a draw.

Miriam is a departure for Andy Tauer.  He's known for scents that while they can be quite lush are scrupulously modern.  Miriam is almost a throwback.

Almost.

Miriam was created for the film "Woman's Picture", an anthology film by Brian Pera which was inspired by classic films of the forties and fifties.  It's a three-part story that follows three women at a critical point in their lives.  I was lucky enough to see the complete film at OUTFEST and was really impressed; all three stories are extremely compelling.  Brian is working with Andy on perfumes that will tie into each of the stories.  Miriam is the first.

Miriam (Ann Magnuson) hosts a program on a home-shopping network that borders on therapy for her callers.  She sells bath salts and jewelry while dispensing relationship advice to the mothers and daughters who call in.  She honestly feels a bond with these women and knows that she's a comfort to them.  Her own mother, with whom she had a difficult relationship is in an expensive nursing home, ravaged with Alzheimers.  Her partner is unemployed and seemingly not interested in getting his butt off the sofa and getting a job and the powers-that-be at the office are wanting to change her show to sell more product.  Practically her only comfort is a bottle of her mothers (un-named) perfume that she will turn to and occasionally smell, aware that the amount in the bottle is as finite as her mothers time left on Earth.


I'm not going to tell you any more, since you really should try to see the movie (which is screening at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood on October 11th).  But this review is really about the perfume.

At one point in the segment, Miriam is selling a scent as being "old-time Hollywood Glamour" and Miriam the scent certainly is that.  It's actually a very daring scent.  It's not pulling back from the glam femininity thing, while still being a scent that's recognizably Tauer.  It opens with powdery Aldehydes and roses and a touch of ambergris (the notes from the evelyn avenue website: bergamot, sweet orange, geranium, violet blossom, rose, jasmine, ylang, violet leaf, lavender, vanilla, orris root, sandalwood.).  The scent becomes richer as it develops and lays close to the skin and is really lovely in a retro-modern sort of way.  It's a red-lipstick kind of scent that you sadly don't see much of anymore and I wish there were more of.

5 lucky readers will be able to experience Miriam thanks to the generosity of Andy and Brian.  I have samples of the perfume packaged with a DVD of the segment "Miriam" from "Woman's Picture".  If you would like to be considered in the draw (and live in the US- sorry, I can't ship elsewhere) please leave a comment.  The draw will be closed Midnight Pacific Time on Sunday the 25th.

The following blogs will also be writing about Miriam in the coming weeks:
Sept 28th: The Non-Blonde
Oct 2nd: Perfume Posse

The filmmakers are also interviewing women about their memories of scent at their site and on Vimeo.  The shared stories are fascinating; here's one of the latest



You can also get more information at their website for the film.  I have no information on pricing, my samples were provided by the perfumer and the filmmaker.

67 Comments:

Anonymous Lavanya said...

I'm loving the sound of Miriam! Please enter me in the draw!!

12:09 AM EDT  
Blogger Tammy said...

The film sounds as intriguing as the perfume. I love that it sounds so old-school glamorous.

Thanks for a chance to win, and many thanks to Andy and Brian for this amazing project. I am more excited about these films than any of the main stream films that have come out in the last 10 years!

1:23 AM EDT  
Blogger ninja said...

That actress is absolutely pitch perfect; really nuanced. She sort of reminds me of Frances Farmer post-lobotomy. "They're cool! Cool stones..." Hahaha. Very curious about this new one; I love Tauer scents. I think "L'Air du desert marocain" earned me a "You smell delicious" just last weekend. I'd love to be entered in the drawing. Thanks, Marina!

2:55 AM EDT  
Blogger Rusthawk said...

The film and the scent both sound interesting. I'd love to experience them both.

Thank you!

3:03 AM EDT  
Anonymous Paulius said...

Woult love to try the recent creation by Andy Tauer. Please enter me in the draw.

3:28 AM EDT  
Anonymous hongkongmom said...

OMG. Sounds like an awesome movie with an awesome story about awesome women. And the perfume sounds pretty awesome to "a red lipstick kind of perfume" PLEASE enter me in the draw and thanks all for the opportunity to win!

4:03 AM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

I'm a big fan of Andy Tauer, so I'd love an opportunity to win! Cheers to the classic glamour perfumes-- a rare breed these days....

6:20 AM EDT  
Blogger queen_cupcake said...

As a collector of vintage perfumes, I am really intrigued by the sound of this one. Please enter me in the draw--and thanks!

6:20 AM EDT  
Blogger Holly F. said...

Old time Hollywood glamour~ Sounds fabulous! Thanks for the draw.

6:27 AM EDT  
Blogger Michelle said...

so excited to sniff this, please enter me in the draw.

6:55 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Of course, please enter me in the draw. I want to smell any Tauer products, esp. one that sounds as interesting as this!

7:50 AM EDT  
Blogger Matt said...

I would love to give this a try! I'm so intrigued by the whole project!

7:59 AM EDT  
Blogger Kathryn said...

I love Wendy's description of her "sleepy memories" of perfume! Please enter me in the draw.

7:59 AM EDT  
Blogger jam said...

The collaboration is inspiring and I love Ann Magnuson. Please enter me in your draw

8:15 AM EDT  
Blogger arlene20 said...

The movie sounds great and Miriam sounds intriguing. Thanks for entering me in the draw.

8:17 AM EDT  
Anonymous Nita said...

The whole project sounds fascinating! Please enter me in the draw!

8:34 AM EDT  
Anonymous Hermoine said...

I'm a self-proclaimed addict of Andy Tauer's perfumes and a huge admirer of his talent. There is nothing that he has produced so far that left me cold or confused. His scents are thought provoking and enigmatic. It would make my month if I were lucky enough to win a sample of Miriam -- please enter me in the draw! BTW, his L'air du Desert Marocain is currently on eBay for all of you fans who don't have the bottle yet.

9:24 AM EDT  
Anonymous RusticDove said...

I have been fortunate to view several segments from the Woman's Picture and I've been so impressed. The vignettes can be moving & poignant as well as witty and they're so cleverly done. There is particular appeal for Perfumistas and everyone should do their best to see this production. I'm a fan of vintage perfume and the Miriam fragrance sounds great. My fingers & toes are crossed for this givaway opportunity! ;-)

9:29 AM EDT  
Blogger Susan said...

Thanks for entering me in the draw! I'm a huge Andy fan - trying his Pentachord Auburn for the first time today!

9:37 AM EDT  
Anonymous Lia said...

Very Interested. Though I have Tauer's L'air du desert moracan and it is very very strong...too strong for me to wear.

9:47 AM EDT  
Blogger dremybluz said...

sounds interesting. please enter me in the draw

10:16 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please consider me for the draw. This looks amazing.
Thanks,
Jill

10:27 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wish I had the opportunity to see the film on a screen. As it is, I shall simply have to view on my laptop... in pieces, as it were. All the same, I absolutely think it will be worth seeing, based on the clips I've already seen.

So much of what Brian writes strikes right to my heart, so of course his films would too.

The idea of a retro floral aldehyde as done by Andy Tauer is intoxicating! Can't wait to smell it.

Would love to win the sample. If I am unlucky, be assured I'll be ordering a sample/DVD for myself...

10:41 AM EDT  
Anonymous hotlanta linda said...

I`ll take softly glamour-ous any day vs hard-as-nails/b-word!!

10:48 AM EDT  
Anonymous Maureen said...

I love old time Hollywood glamorous, and I am so excited to view this film and to get a whiff of Miriam.. Please enter me in draw.Thank you.

10:53 AM EDT  
Anonymous dleep said...

Sounds wonderful! Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you.

11:42 AM EDT  
Blogger Karen M said...

I would love to try this, so please enter me in the draw. It's such an interesting collaboration, and I love Andy's work in general.

12:01 PM EDT  
Blogger Datura5750 said...

Please enter me!

12:34 PM EDT  
Blogger MoonRae said...

Sounds so enchanting...please include me in the draw

12:41 PM EDT  
Blogger woodgirl said...

This sounds fascinating, please enter me in the draw, thanks!

12:44 PM EDT  
Blogger Tama said...

I'd love to be in the draw for this! I am looking forward to the movie and hope it comes to SF sometime soon. And I am always excited about anything from Andy!

1:14 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, I would love a chance to win this fragrance. I love Andy Tauer's work, and the fragrance sounds fascinating. Thanks for hosting the drawing! Be well.
--HemlockSillage

1:34 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so excited to see a clip of the film for the first time. The actress playing Miriam is clearly amazing. Thank you for posting this!

1:38 PM EDT  
Blogger Janet said...

That movie sounds intriguing! I hope it makes it to Boston :-)

2:24 PM EDT  
Blogger cbstarker said...

We almost named our daughter Miriam (chose Madeline instead, which is close)! I think this is a very exciting and different direction for Andy and I'm very much looking forward to trying this one (one way or another). Please enter me in the draw and thank you for the opportunity.

2:37 PM EDT  
Blogger artteacher said...

please enter me in the draw..this sounds like my kind of fragrance.

2:45 PM EDT  
Blogger Fernando said...

Miriam sounds fantastic.

3:19 PM EDT  
Blogger jensun said...

This sounds up my alley. Thanks for entering me! :)

3:35 PM EDT  
Anonymous Leximaea said...

Thanks for the draw! I'm looking forward to trying this one.

4:22 PM EDT  
Anonymous ElizabethC said...

I am a huge fan of the "red lipstick" perfumes (even when I'm in jeans and no makeup). Please enter me in the drawing!

5:13 PM EDT  
Blogger Nancy said...

I am loving the combo of the film and the scent! Please enter me, thanks.

5:30 PM EDT  
Blogger trtskh said...

Please, yes, enter me in the draw!

6:49 PM EDT  
Blogger Balutakat said...

I've never been a red lipstick kind of woman, but I've definitely worn red lipstick scents. I'd love to be entered in the draw, thank you.

7:19 PM EDT  
Blogger Acorn Alley said...

I would love to be entered for the draw! The perfume and film both sound fantastic!

8:26 PM EDT  
Blogger Julie said...

This sounds fabulous - Andy Tauer works magic with his scents. Please enter me in the draw - the perfume, the film and the woman sound very intriguing.

9:43 PM EDT  
Blogger Liz said...

Sounds like such a red carpet scent.... ooooh, I'd love to try it!

9:47 PM EDT  
Blogger Bob J said...

Along with everyone else, I love Andy, and am excited to see that he's become involved in something equally original as his own creations. Go Andy !

10:35 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the draw - It is very interesting to me!:)

11:41 PM EDT  
Blogger Tourbillion said...

I'd really like to try this scent. Please enter me in the draw.

11:47 PM EDT  
Anonymous stspencer said...

I've been following both Andy and Brian from early on since fragrance and film are my interests. Please enter me in this draw. I've yet to win a draw and this would be perfect for me.

12:52 AM EDT  
Anonymous Lisa said...

I'm a fool for retro glamour --- well done retro glamour, that is. And I know Andy Tauer can pull it off. I'd love to try this.

3:50 AM EDT  
Anonymous marygreenwell said...

I will definetly try it. You can also refrer http://www.marygreenwell.com for more range of perfumes.

8:09 AM EDT  
Anonymous Cynthia said...

She's good..I was ready to buy her jewelry, lol! I can't wait to smell the perfume, "being a woman of a certain age" I am sure to love it.

9:42 AM EDT  
Blogger Umbershoot said...

What a wonderful collaboration, and a beautiful way of making real the cinema that perfume lovers make in their heads when they imagine the histories that a perfume seems to reveal when it expresses itself. Beautiful, too, the way that this project imagines its way into other worlds, other kinds of lives. I've loved, and loved wearing, L'air du désert marocain for what seems a long time, and I appreciate especially its sincere romantic imagining of an elsewhere, with an innocuous touch of respectful exoticism in place of shorthand or caricature (it would be lovely if one day a Moroccan nez will give us his or her own imagining of elsewhere in an Air des montagnes suisses). Please enter me in the drawing, since I would love to sample this new work of Andy and Brian.

11:15 AM EDT  
Anonymous Julie Ellen said...

I am really looking forward to this new work from Andy...please enter me in your draw! thanks

11:56 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Enter me in the drawing please.

12:46 PM EDT  
Blogger Magda said...

Oh, wow, I haven't heard about this yet - how exciting! I love Andy's work and I'm looking forward to this one. I'd love to be considered in the draw. Thanks :)

12:55 PM EDT  
Blogger Dante's Bra said...

They both sound wonderful, thanks for offering this! Throw me in the basket, please!

1:03 PM EDT  
Anonymous maggiecat said...

I'd love to be considered for the draw. What a fascinating idea and project!

2:03 PM EDT  
Blogger OperaFan said...

Would love to have a chance to try the scent and see the movie!
Please enter me in the draw.

4:39 PM EDT  
Blogger Pluto said...

Wearing L'air du Desert Marocain today - would love to be entered in the drawing.

5:04 PM EDT  
Blogger erycina said...

Please enter me into this draw - I am such an Andy Tauer fan!

11:34 AM EDT  
Blogger Calamity said...

I live in the US and would like to be considered in the draw. Thank you!

3:02 PM EDT  
Blogger Stacey said...

I live in the US and would like to be in this draw. Thank you!

10:56 AM EDT  
Blogger Undina said...

Please enter me into the draw.

4:45 PM EDT  
Blogger Jaki said...

I would love to smell this, thanks for the chance

4:38 AM EDT  
Anonymous minx143 said...

Collaboration between film and perfume, is this a first? Really interesting. I would love to be entered into the draw if I'm not too late.

7:19 AM EDT  

Post a Comment

<< Home