Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab: Difference between revisions
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==Ethics== |
==Ethics== |
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Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is known for its desire to run its business with a conscience |
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is known for its desire to run its business with a conscience {{cn}}. It is against animal testing, and tests its own products only on willing humans. The perfume oils sold by BPAL use natural ingredients such as essential oils and accords and are hand blended. With the exception of those containing honey and beeswax, the oils are vegan-friendly.<ref>{{citation|last=Sammy|first=Marissa|url=http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=429 |title=The Empress of Scent: A Story of Imps and Customer Obsession|newspaper=Squential Tart|date=2007-02}}</ref> |
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Over the years, BPAL has donated proceeds from oil sales (and some eBay sales) to several charities, including but not limited to: the [[Comic Book Legal Defense Fund]], the Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program, Animal Assistance League of Orange County, Bat Conservation International, Safe Haven For Donkeys in the Holy Land,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Way Back Machine|last=Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050217184849/http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/oblation.html |
Over the years, BPAL has donated proceeds from oil sales (and some eBay sales) to several charities, including but not limited to: the [[Comic Book Legal Defense Fund]], the Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program, Animal Assistance League of Orange County, Bat Conservation International, Safe Haven For Donkeys in the Holy Land,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Way Back Machine|last=Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050217184849/http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/oblation.html |
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Revision as of 18:04, 23 April 2007
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, also known as BPAL, Black Phoenix, or simply "the Lab" to its customers, is an online company selling perfume oils. BPAL is owned by Elizabeth Moriarty and Brian Constantine, and is based in Los Angeles, California, United States.
Ethics
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is known for its desire to run its business with a conscience [citation needed]. It is against animal testing, and tests its own products only on willing humans. The perfume oils sold by BPAL use natural ingredients such as essential oils and accords and are hand blended. With the exception of those containing honey and beeswax, the oils are vegan-friendly.[1]
Over the years, BPAL has donated proceeds from oil sales (and some eBay sales) to several charities, including but not limited to: the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, the Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program, Animal Assistance League of Orange County, Bat Conservation International, Safe Haven For Donkeys in the Holy Land,[2] as well as the victims of 2005's Hurricane Katrina.[3]
Influences
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is notable for the gothic atmosphere of its website, framing product descriptions with snippets of poetry and category art (monochrome drawings or etchings) by Aubrey Beardsley and others.
While sometimes seen as catering specifically to the pagan and gothic communities, the blends are inspired by works of art, mythology, folk superstitions, voodoo,[4] classical literature, historical figures, pirates[5], carnivals, etc.[6] Themes range from aromatherapy to places far and near (and imaginary), and from the more devilish garden plantings to gods and goddesses around the globe, and as such they hold appeal to a variety of individuals not necessarily involved any one specific group.
Neil Gaiman and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
In 2007 Black Phoenix announced and release a new perfume series, the Carousel, based on the works of Neil Gaiman. This series currently includes scents inspired by the novels American Gods and Anansi Boys. All profits from the Carousel go to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.[7] After about three weeks, this series raised over $6,000 for the CBLDF. There is also an upcoming series based on Good Omens, co-authored with Terry Prachett.[8]
Products
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab currently produces and sells perfume oils in two sizes: 1/32 oz sample vials, officially called IMP'S EARS™ (or simply "Imps"), and 5-mL (cobalt or amber) glass bottles. BPAL specializes in translating ideas, places, and themes into olfactory experiences.[9][10] In 2006, it discontinued production and sale of oil available in 10-mL (cobalt) bottles across the majority of its scent catalogue. BPAL's sister company, Black Phoenix Trading Post sells officially licensed BPAL-related garments, jewelry, statues, soaps and other bath and beauty products, as well as occasionally offering limited edition and special release oils.
BPAL is also notable for its monthly "lunacy" releases, which coincide with the full moon. These releases are different each month, following themes established by various mythological and lunar calendars. During this time, BPAL usually opens its storefront for one night during with customers can purchase oils and interact with the staff and owners.
Popularity
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab enjoys a notable - and what some consider an uniquely obsessive - following through the Internet,[11] with a fan-run internet forum[12] with over 7,000 members and several fan-run Livejournal communities,[13][14] some with over 1,000 members. Customers, many of whom show a high degree of brand loyalty by making BPAL their only perfume vendor, cite the appeal of the seductive product descriptions, the wide variety of scents, and the tendency of certain oils to vary in scent based on the wearer's unique body chemistry.[15][16]
The vast variety of available scents, with upwards of 800 blends released since the company's inception, has lent the product a notable 'collectibility' aspect. Several online communities have sprung up around buying, selling, and swapping BPAL product. Coveted products (such as unavailable limited edition, discontinued products, and unreleased prototypes) can sell for anywhere from prices similar to the purchase price to extraordinarily high amounts on eBay (where one 5mL bottle sold for over $800[17] in early 2007).
In 2005, the Lab was part of the Village Voice's Best of New York.[18]
Citations
- ^ Sammy, Marissa (2007-02), "The Empress of Scent: A Story of Imps and Customer Obsession", Squential Tart
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab (2004-10-27). "Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Perfume: Oblation". Way Back Machine. Retrieved 2005-02-17.
- ^ "The Halloween Update is Live" (Press release). BPAL Excathedra. 2005-09-01.
- ^ Young, Bob (2007-04-10), "Hocus Pocus for Focus", Arizona Republic
- ^ "Bilge Monkey's "Black Phoenix Alchemy" Review". 2007-02-23.
- ^ Cho, Margaret (2006-09-12), The Nose Knows
- ^ "Smell the Neil Gaiman Collection" (Press release). Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. 2007-02-01.
- ^ Gaiman, Neil (2007-02-24), Smelling For Good
- ^ Immediato, Linda (2007-02-14), "Dark Shadows: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab's Uncommon Scents", L A Weekly
- ^ Moscara, Mikki (2006-06), "Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab", Gothic Beauty, vol. 20, p. 18
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Rajotte, Mary (2006-10-31). "Be Still My Darkened Heart!".
- ^ "BPAL Madness! The Unofficial Fan Forum".
- ^ "Livejournal communities listing "black phoenix alchemy lab" as an interest".
- ^ "Livejournal communities listing "bpal" as an interest".
- ^ Dobush, Grace (2006-11-16), "Underground perfume fans have no common scents", Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
- ^ Weatherstone, Lunaea (2006), "Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab", Sage Woman Magazine
- ^ "eBay: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab: DED MOROZ 2006 - 5 ml". 2007-03-05.
- ^ Gandin, Jennifer (2005), "Best of New York 2005: Best Scent Indulgence for Your Inner Goth", The Village Voice