Reviews – Comme des Garcons Avignon

Comme des Garcons Avignon – The Catholic Church Incense 9/10

In times of trouble, the burning of incense can be used as a tool to aid in relaxation, meditation and as a way to reduce our anxiety. Heaven knows we could all use a little less stress in our lives, especially in these uncertain times in which we currently find ourselves. Incense is also used extensively in religious ceremonies in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. A smoky offering purifying our surroundings, cleansing the air and laying a pathway clear and uninhibited for us to gather our thoughts, relax or be at one with our spirituality.

Incense (Frankincense) is also used extensively in the perfume world. I like to wear perfumes with incense in both warm and cool weather. One of the more famous incense lines is The Comme des Garcons “Incense” series, which was introduced in 2002 and was devoted to the 5 main spiritual teachings:

Ouarzazate – Morocco – Islam

Zagorsk – Russia – Orthodox Christianity

Kyoto – Japan – Buddhism and Shintoism

Jaisalmer – India – Hinduism

However, it is Avignon, which represents Catholicism that I enjoy the most. No surprises considering it is the one I can connect with the most, being Catholic myself. Avignon is a small commune in Southern France about 580 kilometres from Paris, and was an area where popes fled to escape the corruption of Rome in the 14th Century. A city of gothic cathedrals and grandeur. One spritz of Avignon from Comme des Garcons will transport you back to Catholic mass in the South of France in medieval times.

Frankincense, myrrh and olibanum dominate the composition. The myrrh gives the scent a balsamic, aromatic sweetness. There’s a real cola-like fizz to the opening of Avignon, which gives the scent a lift and sparkle that remains throughout. A woody cedar note punches through evoking well-worn wooden floors and pews that you sit/kneel on to meditate and pray. Chamomile adds an herbal, gentle floral touch and vanilla adds a sweet dryness to the scent. A linear fragrance that perfectly encapsulates the experience of high mass, and the scent of Sunday. One of the few scents that I’ve come across that can capture a mood and a place, and one that never fails to put me in a relaxed, introspective space. Amen to that.

Quick Notes:

Launch year: 2002

Perfumer: Bertrand Duchaufour

Notes: Roman chamomile, myrrh, olibanum, spices, elemi, labdanum, incense, vanilla, patchouli, palisander, ambrette seeds, cedar, oakmoss and musk

Longevity: 8-10 hours

Projection: Moderate for the first 2 hours then becomes a skin scent.

Season and occasion to wear: Can be worn all year round. Certainly best in cooler weather, and for when you want to relax and meditate. One of the negatives of this scent is its lack of versatility, as it is not suitable for work or nights out.

Price: 50ml, 142 Aud.

Alternatives: Etat Libre d’Orange Rien, Comme des Garcons Kyoto, Armani Prive Bois d’Encens.

Do you have a favourite incense scent? Do you like Avignon?