Mark my words, y’all: 2015 will get a sizable paragraph in the perfume history books. Not because it was a particularly exceptional year for fragrance releases (it really, really wasn’t), but because of the behind-the-scenes developments. Three top niche brands- Frederic Malle, Le Labo, and Serge Lutens- were all bought out by The Big Guys (Estee Lauder and Shiseido, respectively). As we wonder what the next year holds (and frantically buy up Rose 31 juuuuust in case), let’s look back on the best and worst of 2015!
Best Niche Fragrance 2015
Best Niche Fragrance
Chanel Les Exclusifs Misia. As far as I’m concerned, Misia is the pinnacle of the candied violet fragrance genre. No further candied violets are necessary.
Honorable Mentions
Olfactive Studio Panorama. A thrillingly unique celebration of wasabi’s green bitterness. You’ll never look at that lump of green paste the same way again!
L’Artisan Parfumeur Noir Exquis. I thought very, very carefully about whether to include a fragrance that Arielle Shoshana carries on this list. But every time I smell that sugary immortelle, I crave it a little more.
Worst Niche Fragrance 2015
Tom Ford Private Blend Venetian Bergamot. You really should have put this one in your mainstream line, Tom. Then I could have called it “standard vetiver” instead of “offensively overpriced”.
Best Mainstream Fragrance 2015
Best Mainstream Fragrance
Azzedine Alaïa Alaïa. Best Mainstream was a lot harder than Best Niche this year. Alaia is a lovely suede, but Bottega Veneta did it even better four years ago. I like the Bottega bottle better, too.
Honorable Mentions
Norell Norell New York. This started so promisingly! A classic green floral with lots of galbanum and depth. Sadly, it flattens and sweetens almost immediately.
Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme. Noir Pour Femme smells like the remnants of Black Orchid after you tried to scrub it off. Which is not something I’ve ever particularly longed for, but if you find Black Orchid a little too dramatic, give it a try!
Worst Mainstream Fragrance 2015
Marc Jacobs Decadence. I hated this one SO MUCH, you guys. One of those red fruit punch fragrances that can’t go out of style fast enough. Shame on you, Marc Jacobs.
Best Bottle 2015
Miu Miu Eau de Parfum. Such a shame that this anemic, watery floral didn’t live up to its delightfully retro bottle.
Worst Bottle 2015
Ari by Ariana Grande. Would look right at home on Dolores Umbridge’s dresser. Not Ari-approved, obviously.
Best Fragrance Ad 2015
Miu-Miu Eau de Parfum. Psst, perfume brands! Sticking a cat in your ads is the fastest way to win this (highly coveted) title.
Worst Perfume Ad 2015
Chanel Chance Eau Vive. Why are we bowling, Chanel?? Perfume bottles are inherently breakable and ill-suited to bowling. And if we are bowling, why are we not wearing proper bowling attire? Those are CLEARLY not regulation bowling shoes. SO MANY QUESTIONS.
What are your picks for best and worst of 2015? Is Chanel’s bowling ad actually a work of misunderstood genius? Please let us know in the comments!
Disclaimers: As usual, this post is not sponsored and does not contain affiliate links. Also as usual, there are probably hundreds of perfumes which deserve to be on this list that I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to try.
SCENTS OF SELF 
Oh my gosh–I am cackling with laughter about that Chanel bowling ad. WOW. Thank you for bringing that to our attention. WOW.
I had actually slated a different, much more innocuous (but still not very good) Chanel ad for Worst Fragrance ad- I’m so glad I came across this treasure instead while searching for it!
I swear,your posts are ALWAYS interesting!!
I consider this the highest compliment, Annie! 🙂
Hey Arielle,
MMMMMMMMMMisiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Great choice at #1.
Marc Jacobs bag bottle, I haven’t seen it in life. Is it fun and frivolous or tragic dreck?
Portia xx
The bottle is so heavy, it could double as a weapon.
And sadly, the fragrance is worse than tragic dreck: it’s boring.
BUT, it is still better than Miu Miu’s debut fragrance.
Ha Ha Ha! LOVE IT!
‘Tragic dreck’: a beautiful expression indeed.