Fragrances and I have a long history, and some of the most vivid memories I hold are there simply because a very captivating fragrance was present at that exact time and place.
Whether it be my father's Old Spice aftershave or his CK perfume, the whiff of perfume I got from my uncles and cousins, from their own preferences of CK One, Davidoff Cool Water, or one of the most sold perfumes and DNA out there, the Acqua Di Gio line-up from Giorgio Armani. I've had my fair share of experiences with perfumes from a very young age, all starting with my family.
In my teenage years, the same as almost every millennial out there, I got addicted to Axe body sprays. The hype Axe held back then, from the teenage boy to even the 40-year-old man, I don't think any bodyspray has gained as much hype; at least I haven't seen any product get as much attention in my lifetime. Collecting and trying different Axe bodysprays became a hobby at that point, and luckily for us, they were fairly cheap. Saving up some lunch money from school and adding a few week's worth of pocket money would do the trick.
As I got older I leaned more toward proper perfumes, starting with perfume oils, most of which were clones. They were locally made, after copying popular DNAs like Acuqa Di Gio, Ferrari Black, Bleu De Chanel, Dior Sauvage, and so on. And for the price, they were quite good. They smelled just like the real deal and were long-lasting as well. The fun part was that a friend of mine was making and selling these at that time, so we had proper access too. And living in a third-world country and being teenagers, we surely couldn't afford the real deal; as those perfumes were a minimum of $50-100 USD back then. So, the cheaper alternatives were a good place to start and learn about perfumes.
Fast forward to now, almost two decades later. My knowledge of perfumes has grown. I have at least reached that level where I can tell what perfume someone is wearing just from the smell, and also can identify the notes as well. And that's thanks to the hundreds of perfumes I've tried and tested, especially in the past few years. From my own little collection to trying out perfumes at retail shops, samples, and of course, the little perfume business I've been a part of since last year.
It has been quite a journey, and I'm glad that I got the chance to properly delve into a hobby that is dear to me.
It's a vast world, the world of perfumes, perfumery and fragrances. Thus, you can never have just one favorite. Instead, you have many favorites, in many different categories and types. The one you see displayed above is my current addiction. Maison Margiela's Jazz Club, from the Replica line-up. I got this one last year on a partial deal from the marketplace, I didn't want to YOLO in and buy a full bottle because who knows? I might end up disliking it. So, sampling and partial deals are always the way to go when it comes to such luxury products. Because even though I love to smell good and appreciate good fragrances, I know it's all still a gimmick. Yet, whether I choose to buy a sample or the whole thing, I always invest a fair bit of time into a bit of proper research on the specific perfume. Because I can tell a lot from the notes and reviews, and other people's opinions as well.
However, we're only human, sometimes we can get impulsive. Yet, I believe we're definitely allowed to enjoy what the world has to offer every now and then; whether it be...
cheap thrills or lavish spills.
For now, this perfume right here is what I enjoy. Even if I don't have it on me, I'll sometimes go to my closet and put the atomizer to my nose just to have a sniff. I've lost count of how many times I've done it, but I just can't get enough. It's the perfect combination of tobacco, rum, spices, and vanilla. Now, the funny thing is, I don't even smoke, I hate it. I don't drink, never have, and even though spices at zest to your food, I find their smell annoying, and I'd rather have chocolate instead of vanilla. However, when it comes to perfumes, tobacco-based, spicy, and boozy fragrances get me going; nothing comes close to this scent profile for me.
The whole idea of Jazz Club is recreating the smell of Jazz Club from 2013 Brooklyn, with heady cocktails and cigars. Even though the perfume is considered unisex, the same as all niche perfumes, it does lean more toward the male audience. The only problem is that this scent profile can only smell good and perform well during winter. On a hot summer day it won't even last an hour, nor will it project. So, in a country like ours, I am allowed 2 months at best, to properly enjoy such fragrances to the fullest.
The overall concept of the Replica line-up deserves credit too. It's like no other, recreating familiar occasions and environments to the point, that it's not an easy task. If anything, it empowers the idea and bond of both perfume and memories. Well, it is a niche perfume after all. And niche perfumery is nothing less than an art form. Designer fragrances are great too, they are more massy, but recently with all the reformulations these companies and perfumes are losing their touch, by diluting the perfume quality; especially with the classics. For designer brands, it has become more about profits, from the looks of it all.
For now, at this stage of my life, perfumes have become a big part of my life. However, just a year ago it wasn't as big; not even close. I look forward to where this hobby and investment in our little business goes in the next 365 days.
As the motto goes...
Play it with passion, or don't play at all! 🖤
My dear friend, I agree with your post, in fact it is similar to mine, each perfume represents memories.
Most of the ones you name are divine, but none like Acqua Di Gio line-up from Giorgio Armani. Wow!
Perfumes just enhance a memory to the next level; making it unforgettable. I still remember my experiences from over two decades ago, and it's still so vivid.
And Acqua Di Gio is a classic. I don't know anyone who does not like this perfume. It is in a league of its own. And even the newer variants/flankers are just as good. There is not one variant that's considered bad by the perfume community.