Fragrance Du Bois sets up popup at Singapore's Tangs

Source: Fragrance Du Bois.

Fragrance Du Bois has set up a popup at TANGS' flagship store in Singapore's Orchard Road shopping district, up till 4 September 2015. Making its second appearance of the year, the popup offers a firsthand experience of niche perfumery, and showcases Fragrance Du Bois' 100% pure, natural oud-based fragrances.

"We have observed a growing appetite for niche perfumery, and it's gratifying to note that at Fragrance Du Bois, we are perfectly placed to cater to a market that is increasing in sophistication. Returning to TANGS - one of the most recognised home-bred department stores in Singapore - gives us another great opportunity to increase brand recognition and to educate our customers on our philosophy, and, in particular, what sets us apart from the mainstream fragrance brands," said Nicola Parker, Brand Director of Fragrance Du Bois. 

Fragrance Du Bois, known as Parfums Du Bois in France and as Fragrance Du Bois in non-French speaking markets, works with French perfumers to create a full range of products, and also provides bespoke fragrance services. It has fragrance lounges in Dubai, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The company is acknowledged as the only fragrance brand in the world that guarantees the use of sustainably sourced, pure oud oil, obtained from its own plantations, all of which are managed by Asia Plantation Capital.

Asia Plantation Capital processes agarwood products in a sustainable manner. The company is committed to ensuring that the sternest ethical and legal standards are applied and adhered to at every stage of the production process - from the planting, growing, and harvesting of agarwood, all the way through to producing fine and exquisite oud oil.

This time around, the popup will feature some of the world's finest, niche, luxury fragrances in the shape of brands that share Fragrance Du Bois' standards and core values, namely Xerjoff, Parfums de Marly, Illuminum, House of Sillage, Isabey and Jovoy. These eminent brands are making their debuts in Southeast Asia, and are being sold exclusively at Fragrance Du Bois.

More niche luxury fragrances added to Fragrance Du Bois ranges

Source: Fragrance Du Bois
website.

The world’s leading niche luxury fragrances are now available at Fragrance Du Bois boutiques in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and very soon, in Bangkok. With brands such as House of Sillage, Parfums de Marly, Illuminum, Sue Wong, Isabey, and Xerjoff joining the exclusive range of Fragrance Du Bois fragrances, customers can now experience the latest wave of groundbreaking luxury perfumes under one roof.

“House of Sillage is all about luxurious and sophisticated fragrances, presented in amazing and unique crystal bottles,” said Arielle Chrisman - Brand Ambassador, House of Sillage. “We gathered wisdom from people who have devoted their lives to this particular kind of beauty, collecting rare components from exotic locales, to create a synthesis of artistry and craft, tradition and innovation. Scents can transport you to another place, another time, and this is why we have chosen to partner with Fragrance Du Bois as their fabulous fragrances and boutiques embody everything we stand for as a brand.”

Despite their ‘niche’ status, many of these brands have already achieved significant success globally, reflecting today’s increasingly sophisticated consumers who recognise innovation and quality, and are always on the lookout for originality. While House of Sillage has risen to become the bestselling luxury fragrance brand in Russia and the Middle East, Xerjoff’s Oud perfumes have become the most popular fragrances at Harrods in the UK - arguably the world’s most famous department store. Illuminum is one of the top selling fragrance brands at Bloomingdale’s and Fortnum and Mason, and was the perfume of choice for Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, when she married Prince William in April 2011.

“We are very pleased to showcase our finest and exclusive perfumes alongside those of Fragrance Du Bois,” said Sergio Momo - Xerjoff’s Founder and Creative Director. “I believe Fragrance Du Bois shares important principles and values with Xerjoff in the universe of artistic perfumery. It is extremely important for Xerjoff to be represented by dedicated partners who can introduce and support the philosophy of our brand.”

Fresh from a hugely successful month-long ‘pop-up’ store exercise at Tang’s flagship department store in Singapore, Fragrance Du Bois is not only making waves regionally, but is also stimulating worldwide interest. The addition of other premium luxury brands augments Du Bois’ expansion strategy and fulfils its mission of bringing only the very best to its customers and clients.

“Since opening our first flagship boutiques in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in July and October last year, we have seen good growth in our business. Customers are learning about, and beginning to appreciate, the uniqueness and value of luxury niche fragrances. We view the expansion to include exciting niche fragrance brands of the highest quality as part of Fragrance Du Bois’ evolution,” said Nicola Parker - Brand Director of Fragrance Du Bois.

“We already have a loyal following for our oud based fragrances that we sell exclusively in our boutiques and lounges,” she continued, “and we can now complement these with a wider range of superbly crafted products, all with their own identities and individual qualities."

Parker noted that all of the oud oil used for the company's fragrances is supplied by Asia Plantation Capital from its sustainable plantations in the region. "We know that the oud oil they provide is 100% natural and pure, and that gives us unique advantage in the market. Customers are becoming ever more discerning, and are right to want only natural ingredients of the very highest quality. Fragrance Du Bois and all our partners are perfectly placed to provide this quality and innovation, and we’re delighted to announce that the launch of our latest fragrance, London Oud, is only a few weeks away. It’s tested very well in a limited run, with both men and women, so we’re excited to welcome a new addition to our family of fragrances very soon.”

Asia Plantation Capital studies the benefits of agarwood

Source:
Asia Plantation Capital
website.

In a new investment programme Asia Plantation Capital (APC) is engaging academics in Southeast Asia to explore the science behind agarwood, also called gaharu, jinkoh, aloeswood, and oud. Agarwood is obtained from certain trees, typically Aquilaria, which have been infected by a type of mould, and is fairly rare, making it one of the most precious substances in the world.

The aim to identify key areas for crucial analysis and eventual preclinical trials, a fundamental process towards gaining approval and acceptance by medical authorities in Europe and America.

In Thailand, APC has been working with Prince Songkhla University where Prof. Pakamas Chetpattananondh is leading their assault on driving change from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to recognised global scientific acceptance, with a particular focus on the anti-oxidant properties of agarwood.

A search through Pubmed shows that there has been a fair amount of research on producing agarwood, but not much in the way of formal medical research on the material. A 2010 report noted that an extract of leaves from Aquilaria sinensis trees, which produce agarwood, caused a laxative effect in rats. 

Back in 1996, an extract of Japanese jinkoh medicine, which is from agarwood, was found to be neuroleptic. Neuroleptic drugs  reduce confusion and agitation in psychotic patients and help to control psychomotor disorders. And in 2011, a mix of fungi were extracted from agarwood and tested separately. Some of 23 fungi displayed antitumor activity against at least one of five cancer cell lines, while 13 fungi inhibited some growth of at one of six bacterial strains.

APC says that TCM already uses agarwood to relieve spasms and pain, treat the digestive system, regulate the vital organs (heart, lungs, liver), and to lower and redirect energy levels to support the kidneys. It is also used to treat tightness in the chest, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and asthma.

APC notes that there is a thriving TCM ecosystem around agarwood. The company cites data provided by the Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, which is under Taiwan's Department of Health: 

• There are 47 valid manufacturing licences for prepared TCM products containing agarwood powder as an ingredient. Recommended daily dosages of between 1.5-3g apply for different medical purposes. 
• These include 42 that are over-the-counter medicines and five restricted as medicines on prescription or for hospital use only; 42 are oral medicines, two for external use and three without specific description. 
• Among these over 80% of the items contain less than 6% of agarwood in each dosage. 

Barry Rawlinson, CEO Asia Pacific for APC, commented: "Traditional Chinese medicines are now used the world over, even forming the basis of many alternative health treatments in the West. With the organic processes used on our agarwood plantations Asia Plantation Capital is well placed to help international pharmaceutical companies, especially as they continue their search for new medicines to combat recognised conditions and increase research on the international aspect of new contagions."

APC is already producing agarwood tea using leaves from selected organic agarwood plantations in Thailand and Sri Lanka. Last year saw them launch agarwood rice containing nutritional supplements developed from processed plantation agarwood trees. For some mild skin conditions they are also selling an agarwood soap.

At the 1st International Scientific Symposium on Agarwood (ISSA) in September 2013 the laxative property of agarwood leaves was confirmed and Japanese researchers announced the imminent launch of a related product. The conference also confirmed that Aquilaria Crassna leaf extracts possess antipyretic, analgesic and anti-oxidative properties without noticeable anti-inflammatory activity. Another presenter promoted agarwood leaf as a promising potential anti-diabetic agent. There was even a report of one diabetic patient significantly decreasing their blood glucose by drinking a water infusion of agarwood leaf instead of water for six months. Agarwood leaf extracts are known to possess antipyretic, laxative and antimicrobial activities.

Rawlinson said, "It is not only China where agarwood has been used in medicines for more than one thousand years, traditional uses extend across Asia and into India within Ayurveda, even the Middle East where agarwood chips and Oud oil have a long established high value market. At Asia Plantation Capital we are working to carry this cultural heritage forward scientifically based upon sound environmental practices."