Girl by Pharrell Williams Fragrance Review
Love his music or leave it, Pharrell Williams is going places. In 2014, he made his impression on the fragrance scene with GIRL; a unisex scent (yes, you read that right - UNISEX - despite the name) that he produced in collaboration with the apostles of avant garde Comme des Garcons.
Girl has it's focus trained on being unisex and contemporary...it's opening of neroli iris, violet and lavender set the tone for a soft, delicate fragrance, but GIRL soon proves it is anything but... these notes, combined with cedar, black pepper, patchouli and earthy vetiver strike a satisfying balance between earth and air; masculine and feminine; wet and dry; light and dark. There is a dampness and earthiness that one can liken to Narciso Rodriguez For Him... the two bare more than a passing similarity.
For all of its contrasts, Girl feels restrained and well-blended, and certainly very Comme des Garcons in its approach – stylish and well-edited.
As far as the celebuscent market goes, Pharrell Williams' offering is strong (albeit perhaps somewhat derivative). Still, both Comme des Garcons and Williams share a commonality that extends well beyond their perfume... that is, they both have the rare ability to make something commercial, highly marketable, and with mass appeal. Girl is already a hit with both men and women, so hats off to a collaboration between two unlikely artists that has certainly paid dividends. One to be tested.
Lanarchiste by Caron Fragrance Review
Today, as we cast a glance back over our shoulder to the perfumes created at the end of the last century, we can see a curious pattern emerge. The early to mid 90's were dominated by genderless fragrances that were minimal and androgynous in style; and then - just as the millennium clock was due to tick over - we saw a return to complexity and depth much akin to the bold scents we had come to love in the 80's. The threat of the "Millennium bug" had a somewhat doomsday effect, and people were ready to party with wild abandon as the midnight sirens rang. Richard Fraysse's masculine creation for Caron, L'ANARCHISTE (2000) embodied this wild and reckless ideal... packaged in a copper-coloured flacon reminiscent of a whiskey flask or jerrycan, l'Anarchiste became an emblem for subversion and prohibition.
As the name might suggest, l'Anarchiste is a rebellious lone wolf... a scent that is both unique and independent. It comprises a complex assortment of accords which remain constantly transient – no linear trajectory here – l'Anarchiste is a shape-shifter that seems to be constantly evolving... ducking in and out of shadows, stealth style. Top notes of mint and orange blossom belie a rich and elaborate nucleus of vetiver, musk and precious woods... sandalwood, guiacwood, cinnamon bark and cedar. Despite this woody core, at times l'Anarchiste feels chocolatey, at other times, metallic, and other times again, like dry black tea. The sum of these accords makes for a memorable and intriguing composition which is unlike any other masculine scent you might have smelled before.
A true anarchist rebukes conformity... he is self-governed and independent. If you or your man can identify with this, then l'Anarchiste is for you. Possibly the most 'atypical' scent I've ever encountered. Combustable fire in a bottle!
Spicebomb by Viktor & Rolf Fragrance Review
In keeping with quirky tradition, Amsterdam-based fashion house Viktor and Rolf released their second masculine in 2012 named Spicebomb... an explosive fragrance for men presented – much like their debut feminine fragrance Flowerbomb - in yet another hand-grenade flacon! This time round, however, the men's offering is a woody oriental scent brimming with spices!
Viktor and Rolf approached this perfume from two polar perspectives – they wanted to marry fiery accords with icy ones. In doing so, they set out on a collision course that would see Spicebomb reign supreme at the cash registers! Opening with crisp citrus, elemi and pink pepper, Spicebomb feels brisk and bracing in its flight, however a few minutes in, a simmering heart of saffron, cinnamon and chilli warms the mixture, lending a sense of combustable heat. This unfurls over a base of tobacco leaf, vetiver and sensuous leather – the outcome is a sexy and distinctive fragrance that is both unique and alluring.
Spicebomb not only looks a million bucks in your fragrance wardrobe, but is also your quiet companion – one that steps out of the shadows when the time is right, and makes maximum impact! Great for office wear or nights out.