Frédéric Malle – Contre-Jour – Ménardo’s First For The Brand

I don't get nearly as excited for a Frédéric Malle scent as I used to. Their lackluster recent releases (Uncut Gem, Acne Studios, etc.) and the departure of the brand's editor have further dampened my enthusiasm. The thrill is gone, as BB King would say. Well, not quite. My ears pricked up when I heard … Continue reading Frédéric Malle – Contre-Jour – Ménardo’s First For The Brand →

Mabelle O’Rama – Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad

I think Phoenix Flame rises above the others in the range. Last year, while I was preparing my Indigo Perfumery sample order for my sister to bring back from New York to Australia, I decided to add a trio of perfumes from Mabelle O'Rama to my cart on a whim. I took a flyer on … Continue reading Mabelle O’Rama – Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad →

Parfums MDCI – Vetyver Messager – Vetiver In A New Light?

Over the years, Parfums MDCI has slipped from my stream of consciousness and completely fallen off my radar. They made such a rollicking entrance when they debuted over 20 years ago. Their Chypre, their amber, and most notably, Invasion Barbare won the hearts of discerning perfume lovers all over the world. However, for various reasons—most … Continue reading Parfums MDCI – Vetyver Messager – Vetiver In A New Light? →

Manos Gerakinis – Sillage X – A Fitting Way To Celebrate

Sillage X is a well-crafted fragrance from the Greek brand Manos Gerakinis, released in 2024 to commemorate the company's 10th anniversary. I've noticed this refined, thoughtful approach in a few of their other releases as well, and I believe they're one of the few brands truly worth exploring. Rather than chasing trends or releasing thousands of … Continue reading Manos Gerakinis – Sillage X – A Fitting Way To Celebrate →

Hermes – Musc Pallida – Float Away On A Hermes Cloud

Have you ever experienced the dream of soaring through the air while floating on the clouds? It symbolises breaking free from all your worries, suggesting a sense of contentment. Surprisingly, it's quite a common dream. Musc Pallida, the new edition to the Hermessence collection, embodies the sensation of floating into the wide blue yonder —unshackled, … Continue reading Hermes – Musc Pallida – Float Away On A Hermes Cloud →

Le Labo – Violette 30 – A Le Labo Through And Through

I don't have any violets growing in my backyard, but I do have some violet-coloured flowers. The picture below shows a torenia fournieri, also known as wishbone flowers, so named for their distinctive features. Their two curved stamens come together from opposite sides to form a shape like a tiny chicken wishbone. I find them … Continue reading Le Labo – Violette 30 – A Le Labo Through And Through →

Dries Van Noten – Havana Gold – Close But No Cigar

After testing most of the Dries Van Noten perfume range, I've come away relatively satisfied that I don't need a full bottle of any of them. While some of the scents are solid, none have left me thinking, "Wow, I'd really like to starve this week and instead drop $500 on 100ml of perfume". Notably, … Continue reading Dries Van Noten – Havana Gold – Close But No Cigar →

Nissaba – Les Alpes – Root Beer From A Great Height

Australians aren't known for their winter sports prowess. But sometimes you get lucky! One of the most startling moments in Olympic history occurred at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. If you haven't seen the 1000m short track speed skating final featuring Australia's Steven Bradbury, it's worth watching on YouTube. His improbable exploits have become … Continue reading Nissaba – Les Alpes – Root Beer From A Great Height →

27 87 Perfumes – Hakuna Matata – Banana Mania

Sometimes you have to laugh. Especially when it's something as insignificant in the scheme of things as perfume. Yes, we all take it seriously, but we're crazy. Rodrigo Flores-Roux and the folks at 27 87 don't seem to take themselves too seriously. Take, for example, their 2025 offering, Hakuna Matata, which features an uncommon banana … Continue reading 27 87 Perfumes – Hakuna Matata – Banana Mania →

Giorgio Armani – Iris Bleu – More Green Than Blue

Happy New Year! For my first write-up for the year, I wanted to begin on a positive note. It comes from an unlikely source of inspiration: an Armani fragrance. I've paid little heed to their Armani Privé line over the years, despite having relatively easy access to most of their offerings. From time to time, … Continue reading Giorgio Armani – Iris Bleu – More Green Than Blue →