Born in Penzance, William Penhaligon was a Wildean, Byronian rebel who enjoyed a reputation as an alchemist and iconoclast.  After moving to London in the late 1860s, he founded his eponymous business, a barber shop on Jermyn Street in Piccadilly. Located between the houses of government and the gentlemen's private dining clubs, Penhaligon's was situation at the crossroads of power, its clients amongst the great leaders of the country during the era when the sun never set on the British Empire.  In 1903, Her Majesty Queen Alexandra awarded Penhaligon's with Royal Warrants, as did His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 and, most recently, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in 1988. 

Timeless quality and luxury, yes, but their women's fragrances have tended to evoke Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austin...not Anais Nin. Enter Bertrand Duchaufour, the French perfumer who rocks out to Radiohead and has a cult following rivaling Thom Yorke's. Amaranthine is as sensual a fragrance created for the House in its history, and so erotic, it would make Queen Victoria blush.

Amaranthine opens with a dramatic flourish of spices and tropical green. This unsettling lick of drama is beautifully ambushed by an unctuous accord of jasmine and ylang-ylang, a heady bloom renowned for its aphrodisiac properties, along with clove swathed in spices, tea, musk and the rounded beauty of tonka bean absolute.

The startling result: a complex choreography of perfumed desire. A corrupted floral oriental for those private moments when everything is anticipation.

- Michelyn Camen

Fashiontribes Editor-at-Large Michelyn Camen is a New York City based writer and consultant who is a former Brandweek Marketer of the Year and Ad Age 100 recipient. She slipped off her power suit to pursue her passion for beauty and fragrance. Camen is a fragrance specialist and the owner of FifthSense N.Y.C., where she consults for niche luxury, fashion, beauty and fragrance companies. She is an Editor for Fragrantica.com, the Fragrance Editor for UptownSocial.net, the former Senior Contributing Writer for Sniffapalooza Magazine, the former New in Niche Columnist for Basenotes and was the Editorial Director for Beauty News NYC & LA. Email her at fifthsensenyc@aol.com or Michelyn AT Fashiontribes DOT com.

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An interesting trend emerged from the Spring 2010 runways we're calling Futuristic Chic. It's very Blade Runner'y, tough, and in some cases, androgynous. In today's episode, we examine the coolest looks from the Spring 10 runways that are a fab source of inspiration for work chic. We also find some great pieces that will allow you to rock the trend right away (for more info on any of the goodies featured in this episode, CLICK HERE).

Also, to celebrate the holidays Daily Dose style, it's all about diamonds...for YOU! We're giving away almost $2500 in glamorous diamond jewelry. How do you win? All you have to do is:

- window-shop the fabulous diamond selection at SamsClub.com and tell us which are your faves (and why) HERE & HERE

- follow @DailyDoseStyle on Twitter and fan Daily Dose of Style on Facebook

- show up at our Twitter Party Giveaway on Thursday, November 19th from 9-10pm NYC time @DailyDoseStyle (hashtag #ddos)  

For more info: get all the giveaway deets right here.

- Lesley Scott

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CollegeCandy: the most ingenious boot accessory...ever

Racked: now you can wear Forever 21 on your face

Daily Dose of Style (video): futuristic fashion

Mom Generations: win over $2000 in glamorous diamond jewelry

Daily Dose of Style (podcast): the Top 5 must-have fall shoes & boots

Refinery29: slip on some edgy, Steampunk jewelry

Stylelist: style worth stealing

The Cut: Carolina Herrera for...Target?!

Red Carpet Fashion Awards: Katy Perry rocks one of our FAVE out-there (but fabulous!) looks from the Spring 2010 runways

- Lesley Scott

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Love this Paris-via-Cali look from a normally hippie'ish Richie.  Many chic Parisiennes walk a alot and value footwear that is as comfy as it is goodlooking. These Modern Vintage "Mack" spat/buckle boots are all that, plus the rest of the outfit - down to the classy coiffure, vintage lace gloves and Chanel bag worn bandolier style (how very French!) - all gets a big "mais oui, madame!" from us.

Where to get the look:

Thomas Wylde "Deadly" cashmere cardi/dress

Falke silk-blend tights

Modern Vintage "Mack" spat boots

Chloe "Elsie" bag

Persol sunglasses

Girlprops lace gloves

Shiseido Perfect Rouge lipstick (available at Sephora.com.)

- Lesley Scott

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The bag may have better fans than you - Rihanna, Mary Kate Olsen, Courteney Cox Arquette, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue, Rachel Bilson, Leighton Meester - but for a limited time pre-holiday (Nov.19 - Dec 1) you can customize the Yves Saint Laurent Roady to better suit your #1 fan (you).  

Monogram the inside with your initials or a message free of charge, and select from 29 different handles, including ostrich, croc, or lizard for an extra fee (typically ranging between $225 to just over $500).  Available at YSL.com. 

- Lesley Scott

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More and more perfumistas and perfumistos are sharing fragrances...after all, would you market a Monet to a woman and a Rothko to a man? Art is meant to be shared. And yet, on occasion, there is a fragrance that clearly is meant for a woman. Not a girl, mind you, nor something sugary sweet like many commercial offerings...but a perfume for a Golden Goddess. 

Cimabue (pronounced : Chim - a - boo - way) is such a perfume - the feminine incarnate, named for the artist who created Byzantine art, most notably with gilded portraits of the Virgin Mary that preceded and paved the way for the Renaissance. 

Created by independent cult perfumer Dawn Spencer Hurwitz, who began her career as a painter progressing to work at Boston's famed ESSENSE Perfumery, she still imbues her work with the principles of fine art - texture, color, line, light, shape, and expression - in her own line, Parfums des Beaux Arts, LLC. 

Like its artistic namesake, Cimabue marries the richness of the classic oriental in an etude of precious Saffron Absolue intertwined with notes of Grandiflorum Jasmine, Honey Beeswax, Moroccan Rose Absolute, Mysore Sandalwood, Tuberose Absolute grounded in Labdanum, Oppopanax, and Siam Benzoin.  What Spenser-Hurwitz calls "exotic travel through space and time in a bottle" evokes a woman in all her sensuality. 

Cimabue is an intimate veil, a translucent gold light shining on a woman's ripe lushness. Do not let him near it or wear it... clearly a woman needs her own space and fragrance.

- Michelyn Camen

Fashiontribes Editor-at-Large Michelyn Camen is a New York City based writer and consultant who is a former Brandweek Marketer of the Year and Ad Age 100 recipient. She slipped off her power suit to pursue her passion for beauty and fragrance. Camen is a fragrance specialist and the owner of FifthSense N.Y.C., where she consults for niche luxury, fashion, beauty and fragrance companies. She is an Editor for Fragrantica.com, the Fragrance Editor for UptownSocial.net, the former Senior Contributing Writer for Sniffapalooza Magazine, the former New in Niche Columnist for Basenotes and was the Editorial Director for Beauty News NYC & LA. Email her at fifthsensenyc@aol.com or Michelyn AT Fashiontribes DOT com.

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The only thing stronger than a diamond is love itself (& in our case, love of diamonds). Despite the economic downturn, a recent study revealed that 7 out of 10 women think "diamond jewelry is the most romantic gift a man can give a woman." 

To celebrate a diamond of our own, Daily Dose of Style, a daily 5-minute fashion video filled with style tips, tricks, and trends which we recently launched with the fabulous Audrey of Momgenerations.com...we're giving away close to $2500 in ice, ice baby, courtesy of SAM'S CLUB. Arguably the best-kept secret in diamond & jewelry buying, Sam's Club is a treasure trove of high quality bling, the majority of which is certified...whether you're dropping $2,000 or $200,000.

First up are these stunning $400 diamond-studded hoop earrings: .96 ct wt. diamonds set in 14k white gold with H-I color and clarity of I1. The winner will be announced on Thursday, November 19th at 9pm NYC time on the Daily Dose of Style Twitter: @DailyDoseStyle. A one-hour Twitter Party will follow directly (hashtag #ddos), lasting until 10pm, when we give away yet MORE diamonds - a Grand Prize worth $2000 from your new jewelry BFFs at Sam's Club - this Everlon Solitaire pendant, elegant diamond studs, and this eyecatching "fashion" pendant necklace.

To enter to win these pre-Twitter Party earrings giveaway, you have to do a few things (don't worry, they're fun!):

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Did you know your hands and feet are similar to rings of a tree?

According to reflexologists, no matter how well you maintain your face and body, your age can always be determined. Small wonder I don't see a reflexologist too often.

And while you can fool mother nature, your manicurist and just everyone else, even if you aren't genetically blessed with baby soft hands (women's hands are notorious as one sure sign of aging) with products from  HAND PERFECTION, created by one of the most successful hand models ever, it's possible to turn back the hands of time in no time...regardless of whether the signs of aging are from exposure to the sun, pigmentation, or dryness.

And what better way to spread holiday cheer than to help your mom, sister, friend or co-worker feel a little younger? HAND PERFECTION’s Handy Holiday Duo is packed with serious skincare technology to help firm, tone, plump and reduce signs of visible aging on the hands in as little as two weeks.

Complete Day Cream is an ultra-rich hand cream packed with ingredients that soften, smooth and shield skin from environmental assaults. Advanced Moisturizing Complex co-mingles with skin-smoothing omega-3 fatty acids and essential amino acids, while skin brightening arbutin helps gradually fade hyper-pigmentation, and advanced skin optics refract light, helping to blur surface imperfections and promote radiance. In clinical trials, they showed a reduction in visible lines and wrinkles, and improvement in texture and tone in 93% of users in just two weeks. Nail + Cuticle Oil - this fast-absorbing restorative treatment for cuticles and nails blends nourishing omega-3 fatty acid with hydrating botanicals to help repair dry, jagged cuticles while keeping nails strong and healthy looking. An innovative pen dispenser allows for tidy, targeted delivery.  Likewise, clinical trials showed significant improvement in cuticle and nail hydration in 100% of subjects in just two weeks!

And now about your neck? Fashiontribes.com has solutions for that....coming soon.

- Michelyn Camen

Fashiontribes Editor-at-Large Michelyn Camen is a New York City based writer and consultant who is a former Brandweek Marketer of the Year and Ad Age 100 recipient. She slipped off her power suit to pursue her passion for beauty and fragrance. Camen is a fragrance specialist and the owner of FifthSense N.Y.C., where she consults for niche luxury, fashion, beauty and fragrance companies. She is an Editor for Fragrantica.com, the Fragrance Editor for UptownSocial.net, the former Senior Contributing Writer for Sniffapalooza Magazine, the former New in Niche Columnist for Basenotes and was the Editorial Director for Beauty News NYC & LA. Email her at fifthsensenyc@aol.com or Michelyn AT Fashiontribes DOT com.

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After suffering through yet another “Confiscation of Liquids” check in at the airport (just how much can YOU stuff into a small Ziploc baggie), I discovered In Fiore.

Fashiontribes girls are resourceful, so I searched online for a solid perfume to allow me to squeeze in a precious few inches for my mascara and glosses. At one of my favorite I beauty websites, BeautyHabit.com, I found a selection of In Fiore’s solid fragrances, and ordered one “unsniffed’. The fragrance was Bois d’ete, an unusual blend of all natural orange blossom and vetiver developed by Julie Elliot, In Fiore’s founder and creator; she lives in San Francisco, but travels the world in search of fine, rare and organic ingredients for her eponymous products.

 As of November 9, she is introducing In Fiore HAUTE CONCENTRÉ bath and body oils, highly antioxidant and replenishing dry oils for daily moisturizing and nourishing hydrotherapy.

These all-over moisturizers work immediately replenish skin to its natural radiance while awakening the senses. "Our aromatic oils have a light texture and boast highly powerful antioxidants owing to a base of grapeseed oil combined with jojoba and vitamin E," explains Elliot. "The result is a dry oil that absorbs easily and leaves no greasy residue – just seductive, glowing skin."

Whether to promote long-term skin health or as a luxurious addition to your hydrotherapy ritual, these are perfect for daily use:

ROSE NOIR Intoxicating, like a fresh summer garden after the rain. Exquisite saffron and Damascena rose absolute glow luminously above a deeply rich and lingering base of Assam oud and a hint of wild vetiver.

Available at InFiore.net.

- Michelyn Camen

Fashiontribes Editor-at-Large Michelyn Camen is a New York City based writer and consultant who is a former Brandweek Marketer of the Year and Ad Age 100 recipient. She slipped off her power suit to pursue her passion for beauty and fragrance. Camen is a fragrance specialist and the owner of FifthSense N.Y.C., where she consults for niche luxury, fashion, beauty and fragrance companies. She is an Editor for Fragrantica.com, the Fragrance Editor for UptownSocial.net, the former Senior Contributing Writer for Sniffapalooza Magazine, the former New in Niche Columnist for Basenotes and was the Editorial Director for Beauty News NYC & LA. Email her at fifthsensenyc@aol.com or Michelyn AT Fashiontribes DOT com.

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- Lesley Scott

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Louis Vuitton's storied Asnieres workshop turns 150 this month, their sole production facility from 1859 to 1977 and where all hard-frame luggage, special orders, exotic leather and limited-edition bags are still made today. To celebrate, Louis Vuitton North America is donating a percentage of sales made during November from LouisVuitton.com on four of their iconic bags - the Keepall, Noe, Alma, and Speedy - to the American Red Cross. "We are delighted to be able to support the Red Cross as part of our tribute to Louis Vuitton's tradition of exceptional know-how," says Daniel Lalonde, President & CEO of Louis Vuitton North America. "The Red Cross is committed to preventing and appeasing the sufferance of people weakened by instability and ever-growing de-humanization of our society. Louis Vuitton is honored to be aligned with such a significant and impactful organization."

The Keepall was originally created as a back-up bag and included in the Louis Vuitton trunk, and quickly turned into a fabulous weekend tote. The Noe was invented by Gaston Louis Vuitton to perfectly fit five champagne bottles. The Alma was originally inspired by the Art Deco movement and has become a recognizable symbol of Louis Vuitton, as has the Speedy, which was originally created in 1930, but became famous in the 1960 when it was redesigned specifically for Audrey Hepburn.

Louis Vuitton is also celebrating the anniversary worldwide through exceptional special-order collaborations with Marc Jacobs, Annie Leibovitz, Damien Hirst, Ferran Adria, Gustavo Santaolalla and Patrick-Louis Vuitton. The pieces will be offered in a charity auction held at Sotheby's in London on November 19th with proceeds donated to the Red Cross.

Find out more about Louis Vuitton collections and services at LouisVuitton.com.

- Lesley Scott

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Why do some fragrances have a cult following?  Commercial success is not an ingredient; passion and talent are.

Even before Luca Turin - dubbed by fragrance critic Chandler Burr as The Emperor of Scent in his book on Turin - published his acclaimed and critical guide to perfume with Tania Sanchez, Parfums: Le Guide - I have been wearing 100% Love by S-Perfumes.  "Both superlative oddness and mind-numbing comfort at the same time is pure brilliance," penned Turin in praise of the fragrance in his tome, arguably one of the most important books on the subject in a world of consumers hungry for information and knowledge, looking for an "expert's" stamp of approval (or disapproval) on the thousands of perfumes cluttering the market and wreaking chaos on our noses. "If there is a parallel universe in which smells are theorems, 100% Love would be something like a proof of Riemann's Conjecture Theorem," Turin continued, after which he proceeded to give the fragrance his highest rating of five-stars, anointing it a Masterpiece.

While Riemann conjectured what is now the most glamorous unsolved problem in mathematics, we conjecture that olfactive esoteric language aside, 100% Love smells great - evoking rose petals dipped in white chocolate, but without the cloying sweetness of a linear gourmand perfume. The nose was none other than the legendary Sophia Grojsman, given the Living Legend Award by the Society of Perfumers in 1996, and the Achiever Award by Cosmetic Executive Women in 1994.  She created Lancome's Tresor, YSL's Paris, and more recently Parisienne; Calvin Klein Eternity, also her creation, was inducted into the Fragrance Hall of Fame.

Over the years, I have developed a friendship with the founder of S-Perfumes, Nobi Shioya, aka the sculptor Sacre Nobi, a deeply private man and revered artist.  He recently granted Fashiontribes this exclusive interview:

Michelyn Camen/Fashiontribes: Why did you choose Sophia for 100% Love?
Nobi Shioya: I first started to work with perfumers for my sculpture in '97; the first nose I worked with was Jean-Pierre Bethouart. The moment I entered the world of perfumers, I started to hear about a Russian woman called Sophia Grojsman. The more I heard about her, the more I wanted to work with her on one of my art projects one day. In the late 90s, I was still working around very dark, religious (Roman Catholic) themes, and the ideal perfumer for my projects was Annick Menardo (she is still my favorite perfumer). I didn't know Sophia at that time, and thought I had nothing that went with her style.

In 2003, my gallery at that time told me they were preparing a show call "Plastic Garden"; they were missing a center piece to fill the gallery since all the other pieces were going to be against the wall. I guess I was feeling LOVE in the air at that time! I immediately told them I'd make a huge shape of a heart on the floor in shocking pink that smelled like LOVE...and call it 100% LOVE. Of course, I already knew the perfumer had to be the great Sophia Grojsman.

MC/FT: What was your collaboration like?
NS: 100% Love has been an ongoing project since 2003, and we have changed the formula many times. It has been a great honor to work with Sophia, but above all, it has been such fun to be with her.  People had been telling me that she was an amazing person, and to me, she's been a jaw-dropping person! Sophia doesn't know, but I call her "dynamo" when I speak about her.

MC: Are you working on any new fragrances, Nobi?
NS: I am definitely phasing out of my "fragrance period" but 100% Love will always be with me, and will be given/sold in limited numbers each year. Making 100% Love with Sophia was such a special experience, that I am compelled to keep it forever. To make this a commitment, I have made the effort to obtain and maintain the trademark registration worldwide.

NOTE: Definitely make the effort to visit S-Perfume.com and experience the fragrance for yourself. After all, the "proof" is in the wearing.

- Michelyn Camen

Fashiontribes Editor-at-Large Michelyn Camen is a New York City based writer and consultant who is a former Brandweek Marketer of the Year and Ad Age 100 recipient. She slipped off her power suit to pursue her passion for beauty and fragrance. Camen is a fragrance specialist and the owner of FifthSense N.Y.C., where she consults for niche luxury, fashion, beauty and fragrance companies. She is an Editor for Fragrantica.com, the Fragrance Editor for UptownSocial.net, the former Senior Contributing Writer for Sniffapalooza Magazine, the former New in Niche Columnist for Basenotes and was the Editorial Director for Beauty News NYC & LA. Email her at fifthsensenyc@aol.com or Michelyn AT Fashiontribes DOT com.

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In the US, nearly 50% of the population is Hispanic, multi-racial, African American or Asian...so why is there such a lack of options in color and treatment foundations? As someone who is tired of mixing and matching (and spending extra $$$) to find a color that suits both my combination skin (that doesn't require a lot of coverage) AND is a medium-yellow (Hispanic/ Mediterranean) complexion, I love being able to buy a single foundation from Cover-FX. It is one of my favorite beauty lines because it addresses the skin concerns of all women, not just color but skin condition as well. Their Big Cover Up! Complexion Perfecting Kit, available exclusively at Sephora.com, contains proven color-trios for custom-blending, plus everything you need to prime your skin, set your foundation, and get your technique right.

A How-To instructional DVD is also included, featuring the line's co-creator and president, Lee Graff, sharing her 20 years of coverage expertise - working with thousands of patients and countless skin conditions.  “As a camouflage specialist for over 20 years, I've taught patients to use makeup to effectively cover rosacea, acne, scars and many other imperfections," says Graff. "I encourage you to take control of your appearance, enhance your self esteem and confidence to face the world. My dream was to help men and women with skin conditions face the world with confidence by offering them makeup products with therapeutic benefits that would perfectly match their skin tone, be affordable, well tolerated by even the most sensitive skins and achieve a perfectly natural, flawless effect."

To pick the perfect shade for you, choose whichever of the 4 color series best matches your undertone.  Apply the medium shade of the color trio, and blend with the lighter and/or darker shade to customize to your particular skin tone. Lighten to highlight and darken to contour.

C Series – shades with primarily pink undertones (contains C10, C40, C80)

E Series – shades with a balance of pink and yellow (contains E0, E30, E80)

M Series – shades with yellow and/or olive undertones (contains M20, M40, M80)

Available at Sephora.com.

- Michelyn Camen

Fashiontribes Editor-at-Large Michelyn Camen is a New York City based writer and consultant who is a former Brandweek Marketer of the Year and Ad Age 100 recipient. She slipped off her power suit to pursue her passion for beauty and fragrance. Camen is a fragrance specialist and the owner of FifthSense N.Y.C., where she consults for niche luxury, fashion, beauty and fragrance companies. She is an Editor for Fragrantica.com, the Fragrance Editor for UptownSocial.net, the former Senior Contributing Writer for Sniffapalooza Magazine, the former New in Niche Columnist for Basenotes and was the Editorial Director for Beauty News NYC & LA. Email her at fifthsensenyc@aol.com or Michelyn AT Fashiontribes DOT com.

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Everyone wants to look their best 24/7, but like anything worthwhile, it takes work.  However, judging from the amount of closets stuffed to the brim with "nothing" to wear, women are definitely willing to spend the time and money; what's missing, obviously, is some schoolin' on how to build a closet that works.

"Getting dressed in the morning should be fun," says Jill Martin, fashion expert on the Today Show and author of the new Fashion for Dummies. "I believe there is a formula to looking and feeling good every day when you leave the house, and over the years, I've developed a few tricks to help you get through your busy day while always looking your best."

To help the sartorially hapless develop a sense of style, she first has readers take a quiz to find out more about what they need from their wardrobe (as opposed to what it's currently stuffed with). She then discusses how to rate everything on a scale of 1-10, 10 being best quality & fit, so that only 10s are in your closet - the rest get donated, consigned, and when it comes to shopping, don't get purchased. 

"Every single piece I own, from a sizzling dress to a pair of sweatpants, is a 10," she continues. "What I mean by that is that particular piece of clothing is the best it can be. My gray sweatpants are cozy, fit me properly. My black dress hugs me in all the right places, does not look faded in any way, and is a classic that can take me to most any occasion." 

Ready to find out what to ditch, what to keep, and what to acquire for the most stylish you yet? Fashion for Dummies is available at Amazon.com.

- Lesley Scott

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Few things are as irresistable as shoes, and when the proceeds go to charity, even better.  This Holiday Season, Baileys Irish Cream has invited five designers - Shree Moni, Vanessa Noel, Farylrobin, Alejandro Ingelmo and Rafe - to create a one-of-a-kind pair of shoes inspired by the tasty beverage.  The shoes will all be auctioned off on Clothes Off Our Back, with all proceeds benefiting the children's charities.

"I am honored to be selected as one of only five designers in the nation to be a part of this program," notes Shari Grey, Founder & Senior Designer for Shree Moni. "To create a shoe inspired by the Baileys brand, I worked with our Italian manufacturer to produce a pump that painted a vivid picture for luxury, smoothness, and sweet expectations."

From November 11-13 (11am-7pm daily), Baileys will also be hosting two pop-up shoe stores in LA & NYC, where women can shop for shoes for charity. All shoes will be priced at only $75, again with all the proceeds going to Clothes Off Our Back.

- Lesley Scott  

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