Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Kilian Hennessy who was in Washington DC to introduce his new Kilian Asian Tales collection at Sak’s Fifth Avenue in Tyson’s Corner.  Sak’s Fifth Avenue is the exclusive retailer in the Washington DC area where you can find his creations.  When I arrived at the store, there was a great deal of buzz which produced a fun and festive atmosphere.  Guests were provided with a plethora of testing and sampling of the entire line of Kilian Fragrances and I had an opportunity to discuss with the West Coast Sales Manager, Dennis, the Kilian line.  His knowledge and friendly insight was greatly appreciated.  I also had an opportunity to meet Kilian CEO Elisabeth Noel Jones, who like all of the Kilian entourage was warm and engaging.  And thanks to Heather, the Sak’s Fifth Avenue Tyson’s Corner Marketing Director, I was able set up a time to ask Kilian a few questions.   What you first notice when you meet Kilian is that he is gracious, friendly, genuine, funny and very charming.

The Scented Hound:  So what was your inspiration for the creation of the Asian Tales Collection?

Kilian Hennessy:  I wanted to create a  collection of scents that would appeal to the Asian culture.  As such,  I knew that I would have to create  a line of fragrances that would appeal  to the senses as much as to the spirit and as so we created this collection to create that moment  and sense of spirituality.

The Scented Hound:  Do you have plans now or have you ever thought about creating a line exclusively for men?

Kilian Hennessy:  I do have plans to create a line of fragrances exclusively for men, but you’ll have to wait until March 2013 (said with an impish grin).

The Scented Hound:  You have fragrance collections and evening bags as product lines, any other products that we’ll see from you in the future?

Kilian Hennessy:  No, I am going to concentrate on perfumes and bags for now.

The Scented Hound:  Would you say there is a difference in American and European tastes in fragrance?

Kilian Hennessy:  In the US, Europe, Russia and the Middle East my 4 best sellers are the same in every region in the world.  Number one in one region may be number two in another, but the 4 top sellers are the same across the board.

The Scented Hound:  What are those 4 top sellers?

Kilian Hennessy:  Straight to Heaven, Back to Black, Liaisons Dangereuses and Love.

The Scented Hound:  Do you believe some of your new fragrances will take over one of those four spots?

Kilian Hennessy:  We’ll see, I’ll be happy if they do, but I don’t really care because I put out products that I am really proud of.  Some achieve success, some don’t.   I don’t really worry about that.  If I start thinking about this one did well so maybe I should create another one like this, then you become marketing oriented.  I don’t want to become marketing oriented.  I don’t worry about marketing, I don’t do marketing.  I just want to make creations that are as beautiful as I can.

For those of you in the US, note that Kilian will be making his way to Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills in May and Houston in the Fall.  He said he expects to be in Miami, San Francisco and Chicago some time in 2013.

In all, meeting and interviewing Kilian was a wonderful experience and I look forward to his future creations.  And of course,  I couldn’t leave the store empty handed.  More details on my purchase to come!

The first two offerings in the Asian Tales collection, Bamboo Harmony and Water Calligraphy are now on sale at Saks Fifth Avenue as well several other retailers.

Bamboo Harmony focuses on the olfactory impression of a sip of white tea drunk off bamboo, with fresh top notes of notes of bergamot, neroli and Bigarade. The white tea leaves being renowned for their sumptuous taste and delicate refinement are here accented with a hint of spice. Coupled with white tea there are Maté notes, interwoven with fig leaves and oakmoss, making us savour a serene moment of spirituality in a drop of fragrance.

• Bone Rating:   4 out of 5 possible bones
• Classification:  Unisex
• Expense:  $225 for 50ml EDP

Water Calligraphy is a scent built with simplicity and spirituality, like its Art. A harmonious duo of sparkling Grapefruit zest and Reseda blossom, underlined by dewy Water Lily to awaken the senses. In the heart, the majestic Jasmine Sambac enhances the evanescent magnolia giving an impression of quiet water sliding over Cardamom and Vetiver, like Chinese ink slides over rice paper.

• Bone Rating:   4 out of 5 possible bones
• Classification:  Unisex
• Expense:  $225 for 50ml EDP

Both Bamboo Harmony and Water Calligraphy samples provided by By Kilian.

Information on Kilian Hennessy’s background and his collection of fragrances can be found on the By Kilian website.