I
recently visited Angela’s second shop in Spitalfields on a work visit to
London. The original Columbia Road shop only opens its doors on Sundays for a
handful of hours. But the new scented sanctuary operates more normal opening
hours and closes on Sundays.
Angela Flanders Perfumer is
tucked away down Artillery Passage next to Precious,
the clothing boutique run by Angela’s daughter Kate. Precious One, Angela’s heady, luscious floral chypré was created for
Kate’s boutique and went on to scoop a much lauded Best New Independent Perfume
award at the 2012 FiFi awards, surprising many in the industry. It will have
not been a surprise to Angela’s numerous fans, near and far who love her
creative and unique fragrances, home scents and skincare. She is very much a
name shared amongst friends, softly, secretly, perhaps a little
reluctantly. Such is the desire to keep her scents secret.
Spitalfields
is hipster central, awash with arty types and bearded men in rolled up trews,
girls in vintage rags on basketted bikes and dogs in neckerchiefs. It’s a
little too deliberate for my liking. In the evenings the trendier pubs overflow
onto the pavements and everyone sits around discussing Guardian articles and the
search for the perfect coffee. But the area is gathering some very interesting
scented destinations. Oxana Polykova’s wonderful scented niche haven Bloom
Perfumery is on Hanbury Street and French perfume provocateurs Etat Libre
D’Orange recently opened their first British store a couple of streets away in
Redchurch Street. Gorilla Perfume, the fascinating scented house of Lush until
recently had the most wonderfully cute and involving pop-up shop in Rivington
Street. So Angela’s boutique in Artillery Lane is in a great area for the niche
scent lover. She may seem old fashioned and whimsical to some, but she is an
instinctual parfumeuse of considerable skill and imagination.
Angela Flanders Perfumer
Artillery Passage
The
boutique itself is padded and soft. The outside world stops as you
step through the door. It does feel a little Parisian and archaic, which I have
to say I liked a lot. Most of all I liked the sense of hush and gentility that
emanated from the thoughtful and decorative space. The air was tinted just enough
with an amber scent I think, and a hint of gilded rose. Gold and gilt are
noticeable motifs. The bottles themselves are quite modest rectangular shapes
with gold lettering. The shop’s elegant furnishings are elegant and ormolu is
style, knocked back gold and wood. There is an air of gentility and calm that
befits Angela’s distinctive brand image.
In this
day and age of ever changing technology and shock value aesthetics, it is easy
to forget that many people are searching for stability and reassurance in their
lives. A sense of safety. But, you know what, however elegant and genteel
Angela’s fragrances may seem on the surface, I discovered that for every
shimmering classic floral, there was something a little different, a little
darker. I realised, Angela Flanders is a little like the PD James of perfumery,
creating masterly olfactive scene setting, skies, gardens, travel,
weddings - their safety disrupted by
touches of darkness. Very British in fact; the body in the library, the shadow
in the sun, the potential danger behind a lipsticked smile. Eccentricity and
manners, situations solved with decorum and observation.