DESIRE, DISTILLED
Alexandra Balahoutis
STRANGE INVISIBLE PERFUMES
Strange Invisible Perfumes is delighted to unveil Musc Botanique, the newest of its deeply nuanced botanical fragrances. Through a clever arrangement of plant distillates, this translucent adaptation of musk evokes the carnality of nature. No animal is harmed nor is any essence synthesized. Eros and idealism strike a surprising balance in this botanical adaptation of musk, the classic aphrodisiac. A precise reinvention of musk using only botanical extracts demands high-altitude ideals, tireless formulation, and a dynamic mastery over the palette. Botanical perfumer and exacting Virgo Alexandra Balahoutis dedicated herself to the task. The resulting fragrance, Musc Botanique, is pure aromatic success. Many uncompromising perfumers would deem a gorgeous, crystalline musk fragrance virtually inextricable from a library of pure plant essences. Yet drawing solely from her wild-crafted collection of botanical distillates, Balahoutis has composed a radiant perfume of that exact description. It is lucid, subtly erotic and impossibly crystalline.
Astonishingly, some plants emit aromatic molecules that closely resemble those found in deer musk. Rich in these gorgeous components, Musc Botanique rings true on levels both olfactory and molecular. Its sincere aroma evokes a clean yet carnal impression. Such alchemical fragrance design is the innovative work of a master impressionist perfumer. “Musc Botanique is essentially inspired by the demure sexuality of botany,” states Balahoutis. “The plant world is an intricate society of wild creatures. Flowers and plants seduce, attract, repel, and evolve. They give us air to breathe and torment us with their exquisite perfume.” The precise formula of Musc Botanique draws an olfactory treasure map for the evolved, musk
connoisseur. A vaguely animalic presence hides like a stunning creature, wild and demure, amidst a velvety landscape of geranium, white amber, angelica and frankincense. These lucid, evocative essences craft a wild, crystalline chemistry. Musc Botanique has all the intriguing nuances of a strange, invisible perfume.
Strange Invisible Perfumes is a completely botanical fragrance house presenting uncompromising luxury and stunning craftsmanship. It has been a vanguard igniting an avant-garde movement of narrative botanical perfumery. Botanical loyalist and perfumer Alexandra Balahoutis exacts the chemistry between botanical essences and compelling narratives. Her radiant collection of strange, invisible perfumes has ended the battle of nature versus luxury. Revealing excellence in their appeal, purity and performance, these authentic, fragrant treasures court the senses and illuminate the imagination. Strange Invisible Perfumes is a completely botanical fragrance house presenting uncompromising luxury, and stunning craftsmanship. We have been a vanguard igniting an avant-garde movement of narrative botanical perfumery.
Like all Strange Invisible Perfumes, Musc Botanique is comprised of organic, wild-crafted or biodynamic essences set in a base of 100% organic grape alcohol. It is sold in 0.25 fluid ounce parfum for $185 and 1.7 fluid ounce eau de parfum for $135. Strange Invisible Perfumes are available at Barneys New York, Beautyhabit.com, select specialty retailers, the Strange Invisible Perfumes flagship perfumery or online at www.strangeinvisibleperfumes.com.
ALEXANDRA BALAHOUTIS
In essence, botanical perfumer Alexandra Balahoutis is a scent provocateur with a story to tell through the gorgeous vapors of natural perfumery. Her quest began with a desire to translate the invisible montages of her mind into a relevant romance language of the senses.
Born in Los Angeles, Alexandra grew up in the Hollywood Hills. A Mediterranean landscape of eucalyptus trees, lantana flowers and jasmine vines haunted her young nose. At a gourmet market nearby, other children begged their mothers to buy them green lollipops, while Alexandra pleaded for a cobalt blue apothecary bottle of Turkish rose water. Even at seven years old, her nose felt quite limited by the tiny palette of her Barbie perfume maker. Fourteen years later, passion simply crystallized into obsession and Alexandra knew, from one day to the next, that she would become a perfumer.
Being in some ways the quintessential Virgo purist, and in others a complete anarchist, she rejected a French education in aromatic chemistry, and established a fierce loyalty to natural essences. Synthetic essences seemed pre-designed, overt, and flat to her promising nose. They held no appeal nor did they pose any challenge. Shopping for a custom-education, Alexandra contacted master botanical perfumer, archaeologist, and anthropologist, John Steele. Recognizing Alexandra’s potential, Steele revealed esoteric facts about distillation, plant synergies, essences, and their exciting countries of origin. He became her mentor, guiding her ferocious quest into the wild, unoccupied territory of botanical perfumery. Alexandra has since continued to internalize the intricacies of botany, blending, and distillation, while pulling firmly on the wild roots of her imagination. Her narrative botanical perfumes devastate and realign one’s senses to the cosmic beauty and wild perfection of nature.
Alexandra’s fragrance house, Strange Invisible Perfumes, was the original vanguard instigating a movement toward luxury, botanical perfumery. She diligently sought to shatter the low expectations then associated with natural fragrance, by delivering dazzling, evocative compositions. Alexandra is a multi-talented innovator exacting the essences of an era through botanical perfumery. Driven by inspiration and happily tormented by perfectionism, her visionary attention to detail powers every aspect of Strange Invisible Perfumes. Alexandra’s company and boutique, located in the creative hot bed of Venice, California, exemplify refined sensibilities and bohemian ideals.
Ecologically sound packaging reinforces our green stance. Strange Invisible Perfumes radiant selection features 22 pure perfumes, 7 eaux de parfum and a collection of life-changing body wash and invisible body lotion available in four flavors.
Barneys New York, select department stores and specialty retailers, the Strange Invisible Perfumes website and the flagship boutique and perfumery in Los Angeles: 1138 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, California 90291
