PAPER TO BURN

FIFTEEN FEBRUARY, TWO THOUSAND AND TEN

A handy thing to do is always carry around this box, the size of a pack of BIG RED chewing gum, filled with Armenian burning papers. It’s from the OFFICINA PROFUMO FARMACEUTICA DI SANTA MARIA NOVELLA from a recipe unchanged for over 500 years, and when lit they replace any unpleasant room odours with their own beguiling aroma of frankincense, myrrh, and a hint of burning paper. “It’s very nice,” says Mr. KRISTOPHER HOUSER, who filed this tip. KRISTOPHER got in touch with said papers while visiting the OFFICINA PROFUMO FARMACEUTICA DI SANTA MARIA NOVELLA itself, Florence, Italy. It is purportedly the oldest pharmacy in all of Europe and is apparently “amazing”.

Photographed by Mr. MICHAEL SMITS  for FANTASTIC MAN. Facebook  Twitter


COMMENTS
  1. maurizio:

    nice!
    where is it possible to buy?
    their website is under construction…

  2. Nate:

    Available here; http://www.aedes.com/product.php?product_id=1637

  3. smnovella antwerpen:

    Ciao!
    You can find it in my shop of Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella at Antwerp.

    The adess is: Augustijnenstraat 39, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium.
    Tel 0032 0 3 2887069
    email smnantwerp@hotmail.com

    Gentili Saluti

  4. Alexander S:

    You can get them here, albeit in a different but no less vibrant packaging…

    http://www.manufactum.co.uk/Produkt/193738/840980/PapierdArmnie2books.html

  5. matteo:

    i grew up with that, my mum used to burn it while she cooked!

  6. albano:

    a true classic!
    but just the tip of the iceberg really – products from SMN are astounding – try the new ‘tobacco toscano’ soap bar.

  7. Chris:

    The only place I’ve seen them available is at the Earnest Sewn store in Malibu, CA, but I’m sure they sell them at their other store in LA as well as their stores in NY. Their Malibu address is:
    3835 Cross Creek Road, Suite 17, Malibu CA 90265.
    Their number is 323 931 7100. It’s a fantastic store.

  8. charlie:

    Papier D’Armenie is I think a different brand, but serves a similar purpose, and I think can be bought from Labour and Wait in London

  9. albano:

    hmmm…yes, but the SMN carta d’armenia has a particular scent that isn’t the same as others…and this is very much the tip of the iceberg of their product line….their new ‘tobacco toscano’ soap is truly astounding!

  10. john:

    they have it in the store in new york. i saw it yesterday. i was told it smells like “a catholic church”, but they were not able to burn it in the store to sample because of fire code regulations. seems nice enouh.

  11. Kristopher Houser:

    Hello its Kristopher Houser, I wanted you all to know where we shot this beautiful image. It was shot on location, during one of my trips, at the AMAZING Hotel Maison Delaneau in Antwerp. I
    travel nearly 80 – 90% of the time and items like SMN are necessary to feel at home while on the road, similarly places like Maison Delaneau are essential to stay sane while in flux.

    http://www.maisondelaneau.com/


THE MAGAZINE


N° 14

AUTUMN & WINTER 2011

The new, 14th issue of FANTASTIC MAN features the phenomenal fashion designer Mr. RAF SIMONS on the cover. Photographed at his home in Antwerp, RAF is seen wearing select pieces by RAF SIMONS and JIL SANDER – both brands he designs for. Other interesting men profiled in this issue include: the fabulous magician Mr. DAVID COPPERFIELD, the interior-decorator extraordinaire Mr. RICKY CLIFTON and the hailed London-based chef Mr. YOTAM OTTOLENGHI. Furthermore, FANTASTIC MAN explores new grounds in CHINA through a 37-page fashion reportage inspired by the stylistic characteristics of the men of Beijing. The remainder of the 268-page issue is full of absorbing stories, photographs of some gloriously useless PAPERWEIGHTS, style investigations, tips and tricks for the upcoming Autumn and Winter seasons, and a delightful new format in which we have conducted insightful conversations with three gentlemen of note: KIM JONES, DIRK SCHÖNBERGER and JOHNNY MARR, the famed guitarist of THE SMITHS. This new section is aptly titled ‘THE CONVERSATIONS’. Order now


FANTASTIC EVENTS

A REVISIT OF FABULOUS EVENINGS HOSTED BY FANTASTIC MAN

Periodically, FANTASTIC MAN hosts a marvellous dinner, proper cocktail or a full-out rumbling party. Please find below a small selection of past events that took place at rather exquisite locations around the globe.

An Intimate Cocktail, New York 2011  Disco Dance Party, New York 2011  The Super Show, Berlin 2010  The Super Show, London 2010  Absolut Fantastic, London 2009  No Labels, Stockholm 2009  Fantastic Man Fragnance Launch, Paris 2009  Fantastic Man No. 8 Dinner, London 2008  The Gentleman’s Jeans Launch, Paris 2008  Fantastic Man No. 2, NYC 2005  Fantastic Man No. 2, Paris 2005 


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Photography: Andreas Larsson, Styling: Jodie BarnesPhotography: Andreas Larsson, Styling: Jodie BarnesPhotography: Andreas Larsson, Styling: Jodie Barnes

UNDERWEAR

Underwear is generally worn beneath another layer of garments and thus aptly called ‘underwear’. These delicious mesh numbers, seen above on three particularly athletic chaps, are the result of a collaboration between THE WHITE BRIEFS and FANTASTIC MAN. Made from lovely organic cotton the briefs, vest and T-shirt, are available to order from The White Briefs, and are available to purchase in shops round the globe. Whether they are received as presents, or bought for one’s self, they are to be worn – in any case – with utter joy. Order now


SHOPPING TIPS

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