Charlotte Street Hotel

Last week saw the spectacular launch of Spicebomb, the new men’s fragrance by Viktor & Rolf at an exclusive Handpicked Media event. We all had a New Year catch up over drinks at the Charlotte Street Hotel, but unlike most launch evenings, there were no samples or campaign imagery to be seen.

The Director of Viktor & Rolf fragrances introduced Spicebomb, but was quickly intercepted by two dashing ‘secret service agents’ wearing head to toe Viktor & Rolf. We were immediately escorted out of the building and taken a few blocks away from the hotel to a deserted NCP cark park!

We all piled into an industrial car lift, up to the top floor, to a darkened room with just two large screens. The first screen showed the Spicebomb campaign video, shot by the wonderful Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin featuring American model Sean O’Pry.

We all turned to face the next screen and within a few seconds, there was a huge explosion, releasing the Spicebomb scent and a shower of silver confetti – what a way to make an entrance!

The party then kicked off with handsome waiters bringing out Champagne, Martinis and molecular canapes while we spritzed on Spicebomb from the grenade-shaped bottles, presented on solitary plinths.

Spicebomb was created for Viktor & Rolf by Olivier Polge, the renowned perfumer behind Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Eau Mega and other future classics such as Balenciaga Paris and Dolce & Gabbana The One For Men.

True to its name, Spicebomb opens with a bang – sweet, sparkling and fresh with an underlying woody spiciness. It brings together two opposing accordings – fiery and and icy. Warmth comes from a seductive heart of chilli and saffron with the masculine roundness of leather, tobacco and intoxicating vetiver. The bite of the fragrance is down to zesty bergamot and grapefruit with cool notes of elemi and pink pepper.

Spicebomb is sophisticated, incredibly stylish, sensual and intriguing. The sweetness gives it a unisex appeal and it’s the perfect counterpoint to the heady, gourmand Flowerbomb.

The cool, theatrical launch event was a perfect reflection of the vision of Viktor & Rolf, the masters of illusion and fantasy.

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb is priced from £45 for 50ml to £60 for 90ml eau de toilette, and the full collection includes a deodorant spray, aftershave balm and shower gel.

Spicebomb is available now exclusively at Harrods and nationwide from 7th March.

Photos by Karen Hatch

While having a decadent breakfast of Eggs Benedict, coffee and mixed berry juice at the Covent Garden Hotel yesterday with the girls from Indigo PR, I found that the Ruinart and Miller Harris Champagne afternoon tea can now be taken in the hotel’s elegant Brasserie Max.

Following the success of the Ruinart Champagne afternoon tea at the Miller Harris tea salon, you can now experience the Ruinart and Miller Harris Sensory Tea in the stylish, cosy setting of any of the West End Firmdale hotels, including the Soho Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel and Haymarket Hotel.

Spend the afternoon relaxing in the library, drawing room or brasserie with a glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs champagne, a pot of finely blended Miller Harris tea and a selection of delicate sandwiches and cakes prepared by Firmdale Hotel chefs.

Ruinart Blanc de Blancs champagne is perfect for the summer, with refreshing notes of citrus and white peach, and Ruinart Chef de Cave, Frederic Panaiotis, describes Ruinart Blanc de Blancs champagne as “like drinking liquid sunshine”.

To accompany the champagne, there is a selection of four teas created by perfumer Lyn Harris, including Thé Bergamot, Thé Bigarade, Thé Pétales or Thé Violette. I can personally recommend the rose scented Thé Pétales and the Thé Bergamot, a second flush Darjeeling that Earl Grey fans will enjoy.

Lemon cupcakes, peach and vanilla friands and raspberry tarlets were chosen to bring out the notes of citrus and white peach in Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and come with traditional cut sandwiches.

The Ruinart and Miller Harris connection is a story of mutual admiration that begun when Lyn Harris visited the Ruinart cellars in Reims and found parallels between their traditional methods of winemaking and perfumery.

The relationship between Lyn Harris and Kit Kemp is long established, with each of the seven Firmdale hotels providing complimentary Miller Harris bath and body products in all guest rooms.

Read my review of the Ruinart Champagne afternoon tea at the Miller Harris Mayfair tea salon and flagship store and see the photos of the scrumptious tea.

The Ruinart and Miller Harris Sensory Tea is priced at £35 per person and is available until September 2010. For more information, visit the Firmdale website.

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Launches With A Bang!

Ruinart and Miller Harris at Covent Garden Hotel