Atelier Cologne fortune, romance and secret of the teas

Nadine Kaqm photos
Giselle Zelauy shows Atelier Cologne prizes that were available by selecting a winning fortune cookie.

Atelier Cologne launched its new Collection Orient with an "Orient Express" Lunar New Year celebration Feb. 13 at Neiman Marcus, complete with the romance of herb, spice and floral fragrances, fortune cookies and secrets revealed in tea leaves.

Atelier Cologne founders and creators Sylvie Ganter and Christophe Cervasel traveled to Asia and the Middle Eastto come up with five new Colognes Absolue inspired by the regions' beauty, people and customs, and precious raw materials.

I've always been a fan of the brand's fresh citrus scents and that of Silver Iris, but all of the new fragrances have a beautiful mystique. What maqkes it so confusing is that I always end up liking four fragrances and can't decide which I like most. But I've walked away wearing them and by the end of the afternoon, after experiencing all the notes as they emerge, it becomes apparent which I like best. Of these, I'm leaning toward imosa Indigo, though I'd like to try Poivre Electrique and Encens Jinhae again.

I've met Sylvie and Christophe many times and the couple revels in coming up with romantic stories for each fragrance. The stories often involve chance encounters between strangers who might connect in playful to clandestine ways.

Atelier Cologne's lineup of new fragrances.

The new scents in fresh white packaging, are:

Encens Jinhae: A floral woody fragrance featuring Jinhae cherry blossom, Samarkand incense and Sicilia lemon.

Philtre Ceylan: A woody citrus with black tea from Ceylan, bergamot from Calabria and green mint from India.

Poivre Electrique: A spicy woody fragrance with black pepper from Vietnam, bitter orange from Tunisia and incense from Samarkand.

Mimosa Indigo: A leather floral with mimosa indigo from India, mandarin orange from Italy and white leather accord.

Tobacco Nuit: A woody frarance featuring tobacco flower from Turkey, clementine from Italy and labdanum from Egypt

Also new is Bergamote Soleil: With bergamot from Calabria, jasmine from Egypt, lavender from Provence, cardamome from Guatemala andheart of vetiver from Haiti.

The tea leaves in my cup forecast a busy, worrisome April and summer of creativity.

True to the Orient Express theme of the event, patrons were able to enjoy a tea leaf reading as well as an opportunity to pick a lucky fortune cookie to win prizes from Atelier Cologne.

Although I have consulted mediums before, it was the first time I had a team meeting which spiritual intuitive medium Sarah Chamberlain described as a dying art form.

Europe had a history of tasseography, divination from spatters of wax, lead and other substances, which evolved into tea-leaf reading in the 17th century, after Dutch merchants introduced Chinese tea to Europe.

Chamberlain said her grandmother read coffee grounds and although her grandmother died when she was only 6, she later discovered she had a natural gift. I was intrigued by the way she was able to make sense of what you or I would see as a random scattering of tea leaves what she told me sounded like it could turn out to be fairly accurate. She indicated a stressful April which is a time that we will be launching something new at the newspaper and a time that I also plan to be traveling.

She was able to see birds, airplanes, guardian angels, dancers, stress and all these things through the end of the year. She also sees Big Ben at the end of the year, and I've really been wanting to go to London this year. I already know it's not happening in spring because I'm making other plans, but fall is a possbilitu. I'll revisit the reading at the end of the year to see how much comes true.

If you're interested in talking to her, she does readings at Sedona at Ward Centre. You can call the store for more details.

I love the stories that fuel the creation of the fragrances. I was drawn to this page because of the dream catcher imagery. I just made a dream catcher with a group of friends. This turned out to be one of my favorites, the cherry blossom fragrance with a story that reads: "The wind was blowing. The graceful petals of the cherry blossoms were dancing like snow flakes. Suddenly, she got closer to him and dove into jet black eyes. He thought that his spell started to take hold. Her beauty was unique. Despite feeling guilty, he kissed her."

I also love Atelier Cologne's refreshing citrus fragrances, including the newest, Bergamote Soleil.

Spiritual intuitive / medium Sarah Chamberlain reads tea leaves for an Atelier Cologne shopper.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage is in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.