Well, this is something very special indeed.
The ‘Dames de Table‘ are the magicians of bottling: for successive generations, they’ve been employed by Guerlain to add the stunning finishing flourishes to bottles.
Think: tying with silken threads – an art known as ‘baudruchage’, which also involves the creation of a tiny wax ‘seal’.
Think: creating a ‘fan’, or ‘beard’ of the silk, for perfect tassels – as seen on Shalimar or (above) Mistook. This is a skill known as ‘barbichage’ (from ‘barbe’, the French for beard.)
Think: gold paint, delicately applied by hand to bee bottles to personalise, with a monogram or name…
These highly-skilled artisans will be in residence exclusively at Harrods in the Sixth Floor Salon de Parfums from 26th – 30th August inclusive, as part of the Made With Love festival, which you can read more about here.
Times are:
Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th – midday to 8 p.m.
Sunday 30th – midday to 5 p.m.
This truly is an unmissable opportunity to observe rare and precious skills – and treat yourself to a very special present. The fragrance purchases which can be worked on by Les Dames start at £92 – so this is a treat indeed, but an absolutely unique opportunity to see them in action.
We will be there ourselves at midday on the nose on Wednesday, Tube strike notwithstanding!
Harrods Salon de Parfums, Sixth Floor, Harrods, 81-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL/o2o-7893 8805
www.guerlain.com
