NEST Fragrances... Scents for the Home

Recently, I found myself roaming the lower level of Bergdorf Goodman here in New York aimlessly following my wife around as she searched for the perfect shade of lipstick to brighten up her mood. Not really looking to be engaged, I was surprised to be greeted by none other than Mr. Jared Moore, the NEST Fragrances Specialist, who very gently presented me with a small votive candle & said, “you’ll like this one”. The scent was “Grapefruit” & he was right, I not only liked the scent, but stopped dead in my tracks to take in the others on display. Everyone seemed more intoxicating than the next. My favorite, however, was “Grapefruit”… how’d Jared know? Got me, but he did.

Of course the first thing about a home scent one notices is the aroma, but these candles had much more going for them. They are wonderfully modern in their packaging & as much masculine as they are feminine, a very difficult aesthetic achievement. The dark brown box, with a subtle pattern of gold graphic swirls & a simple gold & color “ribbon” (each scent has its own color) & a simple white emblem that states “NEST Fragrances, New York” & the scent name. The feel of the box is matte finished & seriously more luxurious than a normal cardboard package. I’m a sucker for details. Next, I asked the price… here we go… it is Bergdorf’s & one never knows… but Mr. Moore stated “$32.00!” Wow! ...a far cry from the $85.00+ that similar products command in the home décor department a few floors up. I was hooked!

Today I visited Nest Fragrances offices & learned that the company was founded by Laura Slatkin, half of the husband & wife duo who brought us Slatkin & Co., the luxury collection of bath, body & hair products, whose client list read like a who’s who list of better luxury brands. Ms. Slatkin founded Candela Group in 1995 after Slatkin & Co. was sold to Limited Brands, Inc. Candela Group has grown to be formidable force in the home scent arena, doing private label for a client roster that is a cross section of better & luxury brands from around the globe, including Dior, Ralph Lauren, Tibi, Belle Fleur, Estee Lauder, Laura Mercier, D. Porthault, Jonathan Adler, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus & Henri Bendel. NEST Fragrances is the Candela Group’s first venture into the branded business using a brand of their own.

We at TheFashionList aren’t the only one’s singing Ms. Slatkin’s praises at the moment. NEST Fragrances has been named a finalist in the 2009 FIFI Awards for Interior Scent of the Year.

The line includes 13 different scents (12 regular & 1 Holiday) in three different sizes, the “Candle” which has a suggested retail of $32.00, a “3 Wick” which has a suggested retail of $58.00 or the “Votive” with a suggested retail of $14.00. Then there’s the ultimate NEST experience, the 13 scent Votive “Luxury Collection Boxed Set”, which retails for a very gift-able $98.00.

Buy NEST Fragrances on-line at: www.NeimanMarcus.com or www.nestfragrances.com

-Scott French