Aus Liebe Zum Duft: Interview with George Wuchsa
August 9th, 2006
You might have noticed I often mention Aus Liebe Zum Duft (For The Love of Fragrance) as a place to buy the perfumes I review here. Even though the shop is located in Germany, it’s quite popular in the U.S. amongst niche perfume aficionados. They have a great online shop (as well as a brick & mortar shop) that features some of the best/rare lines. They also have a generous sample program (samples come in spray vials, usually with extras thrown in). Today I’d like to present to you a short interview with the shop’s owner, George Wuchsa.
1. First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you decide to open a perfume shop? What was your career before that?
Besides the perfume shop I own two jewelry stores which I took over from my parents. I have worked in this business all my life. But in my spare time I have always collected fragrances. I wanted to integrate this in my shop. Seven years ago I fulfilled my desire: … aus Liebe zum Duft ! Now we have an internet presentation and in one of my jewelry shops I also offer scents and cosmetics.
2. What are your best sellers currently?
Fragrances like Alamut by Lorenzo Villoresi, the collection of the Clean perfumes and Acqua di Parma are at the moment very popular scents.
In the cosmetic section Dr.Sebagh, StriVectin and Cellex-C are some of our bestseller brands.
3. What perfumes do you love (not necessarily the ones you carry – anything)?
Some of my favourite perfumes include Ambre Precieux by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier, Patchouli by Mazzolari, Patchouli by Lorenzo Villoresi and Patchouli by Jalaine.
4. What are your hobbies? Do you collect anything?
Perfumes, Perfumes, Perfumes!
My private collection consists of 200-250 flacons from all over the world.
Besides that, I collect porcelain figurines from the German company Hutschenreuther.
5. Would you ever want to work with perfumers to create your own signature Aus Liebe Zum Duft fragrance?
YES. As soon as I have more time this will definitely be my next project which I have in mind.
6. What do you enjoy most about this business?
You are always searching for the Holy Grail. You always think you are in search of something new, and when you hold it in your hands, you already have something new in mind. You are always on the move. There is no standstill.
7. Your shop is quite popular amongst American perfume aficionados. What would you say is the main difference, if any, between the American and European markets/tastes?
The American people prefer sweet, floral scents. The European love a more lighter cologne, in the Italian style.
8. Please share a tip or two regarding perfume – anything that comes to mind!
It is very important to deal with the offered scents. It is very hard to understand the scents the first time you smell them. You first have to let the scents settle in your nose. It’s all about training your nose. That’s the best way to find “your” fragrance.
Shop address:
Wuchsa
Bahnhofstrasse 10
D-76646 Bruchsal
Tel.: 0049 (0) 7251 – 97 77 0
FAX.: 0049 (0) 7251 – 81 19 1
info@ausliebezumduft.de
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized
14 Comments
1. The Scented Salamander | August 10th, 2006 at 4:25 am
Thanks for the interview Ina.I especially liked one of his last remarks:
“It is very hard to understand the scents the first time you smell them.”
How true.
2. Elle | August 10th, 2006 at 5:57 am
Great interview! FiF has always had fantastic CS and George has been incredibly helpful on the phone about translating obscure notes from the German (when they had the separate sides) and things like that. I so agree w/ him that the fun part is the incessant search for the HG.
3. Judith | August 10th, 2006 at 6:32 am
Thanks for the wonderful interview! I love this store, so it’s no suprise that George is so interesting and nice.
4. Nina | August 10th, 2006 at 6:44 am
The service from FiF is really excellent, would recommend heartily. My thanks to George for the many sampling joys I would not have had without him!
5. Patty | August 10th, 2006 at 6:53 am
Great interview. This is one of my favorite stores. I wish he would open up a branch in the U.S. for us all to play in.
Every time I order something, it exceeds my expectations on customer service. He’s a gem.
6. Marina | August 10th, 2006 at 7:14 am
Awesome interview! I am always especially curious to know what these people, owners and creators, wear themseleves. I find it fascinating. Georg loves patchouli, I see.
It was also interesting to read about his opinion on what the Americans and the Europeans like. Who then loves darker, spicy scents? Well, I can vouch for a couple of Russians who do
Thank you very much for the great interveiw!
7. March | August 10th, 2006 at 7:39 am
Oh, wouldn’t you LOVE to have a little time with his personal fragrance collection!!! Imagine the treasures to be found there.
8. BBliss | August 10th, 2006 at 8:55 am
Great interview – great store! Thanks for giving us a glimpse at the person behind it. You can tell by the care he takes in any orders that this is his passion!
9. Ina | August 10th, 2006 at 9:59 am
Helene, thanks!
Elle, their customer service is amazing!
Judith, thanks!
Nina, I’ve ordered some unique samples from there myself. Love it!
Patty, what a great idea!
Marina, you’re welcome! Yes, I know a couple Russians who love the skank.
March, wouldn’t that be cool? Totally.
BBliss, my pleasure!
10. chaya ruchama | August 10th, 2006 at 11:50 am
What a nice guy !
[sighs in her black Merry Widow corset, shades of Madeline Kahn in Blazing Saddles]
How did you manage to finagle the interview, my pet?
I would love to prowl around in his private collection, alas…
We plebs can only dream of such delights1
Thanks for sharing, as always, zlata moja…
11. Ina | August 10th, 2006 at 11:54 am
Chaya, you slay me!
12. violetnoir | August 10th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
Wonderful interview, Ina. George is such a sweet man. He is always so helpful and generous.
Hugs!
13. Tigs | August 10th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Oh Ina, this is so weird. I just ordered from ALZD last night for the first time – I noticed they had samples of the new Bhutan L’Artisan already. The order shipped within three hours or something; I was very impressed. I keep hoping someone is going to announce they are going to open a brick-and-mortar store in Calgary, Alberta, Canada so that I can petition them ruthlessly to manage it. Sadly, I would probably run such a store into the ground by ordering solely non-mainstream perfumes that I like. (Same problem with running a bookstore.) I’m always very disturbed by shopping in the best perfume store in town, watching women buy things I consider boring or hideous, and watching men buy for their wives whatever the salesperson recommends (also usually a boring and/or hideous bestseller).
14. Ina | August 10th, 2006 at 10:45 pm
Robin, thanks!
Tigs, wouldn’t that be totally cool to have a shop in Canada? We could use more shops like that. Even Chicago could use some!