Developed by Parisians William Bouheret and Anne-Cecile Vidal, Parfums de la Bastide is a fragrance line that captures the authentic essence of the South of France. But thanks to three Greenwich natives, beauty and fragrance-industry veterans Theresa Plavoukos and Alison and Charlie Leigh, the perfume and a new bath and body line are being marketed in the United States. The trio has worked together on top fragrance lines and recently formed Artisanal Collections, a company focusing on niche fragrances. Theresa and Alison traveled to Paris and Aix in Provence to select the fragrances to be sold stateside.
The Bastide line is named for Provencal country homes dating to the 1600s. The owners go to great lengths to preserve the integrity while adding modern touches. This concept inspired the perfume, which is sold in basic bottles with ochre caps that replicate the color of the hillside clay deposits. “This is the opposite of a designer fragrance,” says Theresa. No jewel-like vessels or gold tops, just subtle, elegant scents. Natural essences are the basis for the fragrances: lemon of Menton, lavender of Sault, rose of Grasse. There are six scents plus a Côte d’Azur-inspired bath and body line launching this month.
A 3.4 ounce bottle of perfume is $120; scented candles are $48. Available locally at Lily in Old Greenwich and the perfect Provenance in Greenwich. parfumsdelabastide.com