#Luxury Fragrance

[pocketvenuslux]

I don’t believe I’ve reviewed any Tom Fords even though it was Black Orchid and the Private Blends scents that lured me into the world of fragrance so many years ago. This is probably because the house is not even a shadow of its former self; it is unrecognizable.

Launched in 2007, a year following the release of Black Orchid, Tom Ford’s Private Blends was the vanguard in the fragrance industry. Beginning with Purple Patchouli, this early, exciting era of the house saw offerings like Tuscan Leather, Jasmin Rouge and others, many of which have been long discontinued. Among a sea of celebuscents, saccharine fruity florals and predictable gourmands that had so dominated the industry since the 90s, the Private Blends did not only seem singular, they were like revelations to someone like me who was not old enough to have been familiar with the greats of the 1980s and earlier. This era saw Ford at the forefront, with releases like Oud Wood (2007) that would be followed by what would become a tidal wave of Westernized ouds, starting with the likes of Kilian’s Pure Oud (2009) and Byredo’s Ouds (2010). I’d say this period ended in 2013 which saw the release of the Atelier d'Orient line - one of the last stand out lines of the house. 2013 was also the year the Oud line was expanded in an attempt to ride on the coat tails of Oud Wood’s success. Perhaps a suggestion the kind of commodification of the house that was to come.

The house changed with the rise of niche luxury fragrance houses in the 2014. It was around this time Estée Lauder began snapping up houses like Kilian and Frédéric Malle in a move that would transform the industry. As the niche market began to establish itself, Ford was no longer the only widely-distributed house pushing boundaries. Private Blends were still exciting in this period but were slowly shifting away from its innovate roots. Perhaps the last quality line from the house during this middle period was the Les Extraits Vert line, released in 2016, which wasn’t innovative so much as a retreat into 70s nostalgia. At this point, the fragrance market was also growing increasingly crowded. A new Tom Ford release (or release from other houses like Serge Lutens) just didn’t seem so special anymore.

For me, the nail in the Private Blends coffin and our current trash era began with the release of Fucking Fabulous in 2017. FF kicked off a cynical trend of crasser names paired with grossly inflated prices. Rather than an attempt to create a beautiful scent, FF seemed more like a product designed to see how far Lauder could push the price point for luxury fragrance.

Which brings us to the present day - Cherry Smoke, an opportunistic attempt to cash in on the success of Lost Cherry. What is there to say about it? The opening is pleasant enough. Syrupy macerated dark cherries and expensive leather drying down in a linear fashion to an abstract sweetness and synthetic oud smoke before finishing on banal white musks. It’s not horrific, it’s never scratchy or densely flat - but this is damning praise for a house that once released Noir de Noir. And I’m sorry to say that compared with Electric Cherry, a painfully generic fruity floral, Cherry Smoke is the better scent. Yours for an eye-watering CA$480/50 ml.

RIP Tom Ford Private Blends 2007-2017. After FF, I should have realized what I know now: you are dead to me. I’m sorry the house that initiated me into the world of fragrance has become so pathetic. Someone at Lauder, I beg of you, when the executives and accountants aren’t looking, please pull the plug.

[fragsnfumes]

September 2023 ~

I typically veer off to the niche end of the isle but I do like the quality and complexity of Tom Ford Private Blends (though I don't currently own any myself). That being said, this release looks to be quite polarizing. It represents Tom Ford's interpretation of myrrh, with primary notes described as myrrh, sandalwood and vanilla, with prominent musky, powdery and ambery accords. Yesterday, however, amber, vanilla and warm spice were the top accords so ratings are changing!

Intriguingly, of the 28 votes on Fragrantica so far, a majority has voted "hate", with less than half for "love" and a small portion voted "like". For such a musky and powdery fragrance with warm, sweet and spicy undertones, it's also eybrowraising that a majority have voted it to be a spring/summer fragrance. I'm curious to see how the votes change after it's released to the public!

[kaldorahm]

LIBRE, parfum, YVES SAINT LAURENT

[cluethegirl]

Desperately seeking:

Please help me

[letstalkbeautyuk]

Top 3 Perfumes

I was asked recently what my favourite perfumes were, and I knew right away what to say. I absolutely love fragrance and have quite a few that I like and love, but there are always 4/5 that will stand head and shoulders above the rest. First, I want to talk about the London based perfume house, Miller Harris, founded in 2000 they like to blend British luxury with couture sophisticated fragrance.…

[ommorphiabeautybar]

Dior · Miss Dior Millefiori Couture Collection

Dior · Miss Dior Millefiori Couture Collection

  Sandwiched between the 2022 fall and holiday collections (reviewed here), Dior also launched Miss Dior Millefiori Couture, a capsule collection that draws inspiration from a myriad of flowers, as imagined by the Maison’s head, Maria Grazia Chiuri. It’s like a breath of spring, no?   (more…)

[fdmlovesfashion]

A Fragrant Journey with Lolita Lempicka

A Fragrant Journey with Lolita Lempicka

[styleruleindia]

Discover the Irresistible Monotheme Unisex Fragrance!

Indulge in the captivating essence of Monotheme Unisex Saffron Fragrance, a harmonious blend designed to enchant both men and women alike. Immerse yourself in the rich, warm notes of saffron, exuding a sense of luxury and sophistication with every spritz. This exquisite fragrance delicately balances spicy undertones with floral accents, creating a truly unforgettable olfactory experience. Elevate your everyday routine or add a touch of elegance to any special occasion with this alluring scent. Embrace the allure of Monotheme Unisex Saffron Fragrance and make a statement wherever you go.

[haveusmelledthisperfume]

Have you smelled this perfume?

Have you smelled Memoir from the Omani luxury house Amouage? Read more about this deep, dynamic scent at Fragrantica.

[fairyygore]

｡ﾟﾟ･｡･ﾟﾟ｡ ﾟ。RiRi ୨୧

[msterpicasso]

@hossenbaccus

[fragsnfumes]

August 2023 ~

Le Labo's city exclusive for Shanghai is new for this year - Myrrhe 55. At the center is the myrrh note, with accords of amber, white florals, animalic, and musk . Yet another myrrh-themed scent this autumn, Tom Ford Private blends are also releasing their own interpretation in September.

I wouldn't mind!

[1821manmade]

Premium EDP Perfume for Men - 1821 Man Made

With a rich, complex mixture of nearly 30 oils, our cologne has a 10-12-hour projection. Apply 1-2 mists from the atomizer directly to skin near pulse points. A little goes a long way. 

Explore more: https://1821manmade.in/product/sweet-tobacco-perfume/

[glamsadness]

♈

[expulence]