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updated 27 Oct 2013, 00:23
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Wed, Oct 23, 2013
Urban, The Straits Times
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7 things in her bag: Sarah Rotheram

As the chief executive of luxury niche French perfume brand L'Artisan Parfumeur, Ms Sarah Rotheram, a 38-year-old Briton says her role is to bottle raw emotions and rare ingredients in each of the brand's offerings.

Like the new three-piece Explosions D'Emotions collection of EDP perfumes ($295 each) she was in town to launch at Escentials Paragon last week.

Created by renowned French perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour, there is Amour Nocturne, an all-consuming perfume with a smoky gunpowder note for the "boom" a woman gets when she falls in love, and caramel and milk accords that smell warm on the skin.

Skin On Skin, as its name suggests, is "all about passion and sensuality".

"It has liqueur notes and sparkling aldehydes that explode out of the bottle. Splash it on liberally," she adds.

Then, there is Deliria, which smells like toffee apple, popcorn and candy, and is designed to make one "feel the goose pimples she gets when sitting on a roller coaster".

"With L'Artisan, I want to unlock the connection between emotion and fragrance," says the mother of one.

"It comes from my understanding of memories and emotions, the sensations and excitement."

It seems like her formula has worked so far.

Started in 1976 and known for its unusual and intriguing juices, L'Artisan is now sold at 600 counters and stores globally including Belgium, Japan and the United States.

When Ms Rotheram took over the brand in 2009, it was available at only about 300 counters and stores.

She says its sales figures have also seen a "double-digit growth" for the last few years and, last year, its revenue grew by 23 per cent.

Ms Rotheram, who previously worked at bath and body brand Molton Brown as a retail controller, joined British perfume brand Penhaligon's as a general manager in 2007.

In 2009, she was made chief executive of Penhaligon's and L'Artisan, which are both owned by American luxury fragrance and skincare group Cradle Holdings.

"I'm always thinking about how we can break the rules of perfumery, about what has not been done before," she says.

"After all, fragrance should be beautiful and take one on a journey."

8 things in her bag

1. Tom Ford Sunglasses

This is my third pair of the same model - I lost one and scratched the other. It frames my face well and the nice, soft colour flatters my skintone.

2. Passports

I travel with two passports - just in case I need to leave one behind for a visa application, I can still travel with the other one. I travel for two weeks every month.

3. L'Artisan Skin on Skin Eau De Parfum

This was launched in France about five weeks ago. I like it because it is sexy with its suede and whiskey accords.

4. Apple Iphone

I have pictures of my four-year-old son Dudley, food and stores in my phone. When I miss my son, I flick through pictures of him.

5. Montblanc pen

An ex-colleague gave this to me when he left the company six months ago. I like its small size and ladylike look.

6. Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid lipstick in Raven

I am always searching for the perfect red lipstick because it can make me look groomed in an instant. And this formula is long-lasting - it stays on after I've had a meal - and it is not drying.

7. Hermes Scarf

I bought this last month at Heathrow Airport. I own about 13 of such scarves.

They keep me warm and help to dress up any outfit.

8. Whistles Clutch

This helps me to organise my stuff. It is a handy size and I don't have to lug around my big bag when I go for lunch or dinner.


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