A trunk of Guerlain fragrances at Neiman Marcus, some of which are no longer available.

Marie Line Patry of Guerlain has been called “The Fragrance Whisperer” because she has the uncanny ability to determine a suitable fragrance for a woman or man simply by studying them. It worked for me. After spending half an hour in an interview with me, she declared that Nuit d”Amour was the best choice. She was so right! I loved it and, perhaps more importantly, Gerald swooned.

The House of Guerlain has created 800 different fragrances since its first, Jicky, was developed. There are about 100 different Guerlain fragrances available today throughout the world.

Among their most famous scents are Shalimar, Imperiale ( created for Napoleon III in 1828 and worn by Empress Eugenie), L’Heure Bleu and Mitsuko (worn by both Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy).

One of the things I really like about Guerlain is that it has a hand and body lotion that you can infuse with your own fragrance. You just put some lotion in your hand, spritz the fragrance on the lotion (don’t overdo!) and rub it all together. So often the lotions the fragrance companies create to layer with the perfumes are just so off. They bear no resemblance to the original fragrance. This innovation obliterates that problem.

Mary Line will be in Neiman Marcus Ala Moana tomorrow (Saturday, January 21)  from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. if you would like a fragrance consultation. I will be writing more about fragrance  tomorrow…but thought it best to get this out to you in case you want to have a consultation with Mary Line. I have to run out now to a reception at College Hill for Izukura-san.

- Paula Rath

Mary Line Patry consults with Kiana Gentry about fragrance.