Fab Find of the Week: Velvet Smoke Filthy Rose candle
Let’s start by saying: we never normally feature items that you can’t get your hands on right now, immediately, pronto.
But we honestly can’t predict when these amazing candles will be in and out of stock, so… just join the waiting list, is our view!
We’ve known Velvet Smoke co-founder Lisa Potter-Dixon from the days when she first plucked our arches at Benefit ‘Brow Dates’. (And did a marvellous job!) Since then, we’ve watched Lisa (who we completely adore) blossom into a leading make-up artist, influencer – and now brand founder, with her friend, vintage interiors dealer and designer Lia Briamonte.
A couple of weeks ago, Lisa invited Jo to her house for a roast chicken and roast potatoes-powered, champagne-fuelled unveiling of Velvet Smoke, the pair’s interiors brand, which kicks off with this extraordinary scented candle.
Extraordinary because of its scent (more of that anon).
Extraordinary because of its ‘throw’: you can smell this from rooms away; that’s because the candle is ‘poured’ at 15% fragrance, which is honestly twice what many scented candles feature.
Extraordinary because (for the reasons above) you can smell it from yards away, even when it’s not lit.
Extraordinary because while candle brands always tell us we can ‘upcycle’ their jars, mostly, we don’t. But it would be criminal not to do that with this beautiful hand-thrown, tortoiseshell-ish glass vessel, once it’s flickered its last.
So, here’s the thing: since the launch, Filthy Rose has been burning in Jo’s hallway, most days. And there’s almost nobody who’s crossed the threshold without asking: ‘WHAT’S THAT AMAZING SMELL?’ It’s rosy, leathery, a little bit peppery, and very, very smoochy. The idea is that it recreates the vibe of a 1970s nightclub (um, we spent a bit of time in those, and it definitely has that sexy vibe. Only… this most definitely won’t be a one-night stand!)
Our perfume writer friend Alice du Parcq wrote so wittily about it that we’re shamelessly plundering this description, because it made us laugh – AND nailed it. (NB Follow @aliceduparcq on Instagram, for more of her wit and scent wisdom. She’s quite simply brilliant.) As Alice wrote: ‘It makes me think of Tim Burton movies with Helena Bonham Carter trussed up in a scarlet velvet Vivienne Westwood corset heaving with her fabulous sexy boobs and curves, sweeping past a leather-clad Johnny Depp down a carpet scattered with rich burgundy rose petals. This is a candle that sets the tone for a hedonistic and mischievous night of fun, friendship, sequins and dirty jokes.’
Get the picture?
Anyway, such is Lisa’s own following that the candle sold out first time round in 24 hours. And did the same again with the next consignment (every last package hand-wrapped by Lia and Lisa in Lisa’s house – there wasn’t a surface left uncovered by candles or cardboard boxes!) So… the prediction is that the 250g smaller size will be back in stock by the end of the month (probably). Meanwhile, you can sign up to be alerted about the re-stock.
Having been kindly gifted the candle by Lisa at the launch dinner, Jo literally set an alarm to splash out big-time on the one-kilo, three-wick candle the minute Filthy Rose went on sale second time round. And you know what? When that candle lit in the hallway, down two flights of stairs and along the corridor, Jo can smell it in her office!
Both sizes come packaged in drawstring bags which also smell gorgeously of Filthy Rose, once you’ve extracted the candle. (Much nicer than a posh box that you have to throw away – though rest assured, the outer brown cardboard packaging is super-sturdy and protective.
As we say, ironically this isn’t even meant to be a candle brand. Lia and Lisa – who’s obsessed with interiors – have plans for cushions, accessories and other home gorgeousness, but opted to debut with a scented candle.
What a debut. What a duo! Oh, what a candle. Follow its adventures (and Lisa’s) on Instagram via @lisapotterdixon and @velvetsmokeltd.
And if you have to wait to get your hands on this? Promise it’ll be worth it.
250g candle/£46 – buy here
1 kilo candle/£165 – buy here
