A frequent Lovemarks nominee is Jo Malone – a classic luxury experiential brand now owned by Estée Lauder. I love their candles and have them burning throughout my offices and homes. Pine & Eucalyptus is my favourite…it’s only offered seasonally for Christmas – so I’ll be buying my 12 months stock next month. Jo Malone drips with sensuality – every sense is touched. Here’s a story about their latest fragrance – Vanilla and Anise. You can almost taste it…(well in fact you could thanks to the Hilton’s Executive Chef, Cristiano and the world’s best gelato maker, Giapo). My wife Rowena (third from right above, with the New Zealand Jo Malone team) takes up the story from Auckland. KR.
Inspired by the floral landscape of Madagascar and capturing the fleeting moment of the rare, precious vanilla spice which blooms into the delicate, white vanilla orchid, the new Jo Malone Vanilla and Anise fragrance was recently launched by the New Zealand Jo Malone Team.
All the details of the Event were designed to complement the inspiration behind Vanilla and Anise and the Bellini Bar at the Hilton Hotel, located on Auckland’s waterfront was the perfect choice of venue. Beautifully themed with tall glass jars of orchids and platters of star anise, cloves and vanilla pods, the sun shining over the blue Waitemata Harbour completed the island theme.
Guests were greeted by Ro and Jodie and invited to enjoy a Vanilla Peach Bellini or Vanilla Iced Tea and to sample the delights of the Vanilla and Anise-inspired dessert bar which consisted of Sweet Fennel and Clove Tartlets, Vanilla and Cream Puffs with Anise Custard, Star Anise Ganache-filled Chocolate Macaroons, Vanilla and Anise Marshmallows and Bergamot Petit Fours created by Cristiano De Martin, Executive Chef at the Hilton.
Jodie introduced the new fragrance and led the guests through the sensorial journey behind the fragrance and its notes, focusing on the distinguished bottom note of vanilla bourbon absolute, the full floral heart containing the vanilla orchid and the top layer of spicy star anise and citrus bergamot.
The Jo Malone Tasting Bar was set against this beautiful back drop and guests were invited to indulge in a hand and arm massage from the Stylists combining Vanilla and Anise with either Grapefruit or Orange Blossom – a delightful experience!
And just in case they had not had their fill of dessert treats, also on offer were gelatos – Chocolate and Anise and Bourbon and Vanilla, lovingly created especially for this launch by Gianpaolo Grazioli “Giapo” (whose gelato store is next to the Civic Theatre in Auckland).
The afternoon was truly a homage to the senses and I really want to thank Cristiano and Alexander Tschampel, the F&B Services Manager and his Team for helping us to make it such a success.
Vanilla and Anise will be on counter at the Jo Malone Store in The Chancery, Auckland CBD from mid-October.
