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| Unaccompanied Cello by Yo-Yo Ma |
This was just one of the perfumes I bought without smelling first. It was at a time when I was enthralled with testing out vintage but, relatively inexpensive perfumes.
I researched earnestly similar scents for infamous classics like Chanel No.5 which happened to be likened heavily to Arpege by Lanvin. Eventually, I found a 30ml bottle at what I believed to be a sweet deal and before I knew it, I was eagerly ripping through the box and gazing at the shiny black fruit before me ...
I prised off the golden ornate cap and sprayed it out for the first time on my skin. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was shocked to the point of laughter. I could not believe what I was smelling before me ... I had only just bought a pretty decorated bottle of cat urine. Funnily enough (or pretty ironic) my cat at the time was in the room and I think if he had the power of speech, he simply would've been laughing too. I had truly been had. Amused and annoyed, I nonetheless placed it in my collection box - vowing to never again blind buy ...
Flash forward a month or two and it was time to berate this scent. The force of the cat urine had been strong and I was adamant to get my monies worth of pleasure from piecing it bit-by-bit, in a scathing review! All I needed to do now, was commit myself to test it out just one last time. I sprayed the scent ...
"Yes, Yes ... strong! Everlastingly so ... but alas, no urine accord?". This spritz surprised me with its sweetness, woodsy soapy sweetness with an almost rich herby aroma that brought wood cabins soaked with moss drying on a bright clear sunny day. A babbling brook that sparkled its waters like clear diamonds as it poured over shiny gleaming rocks and stones that almost looked like jewels themselves. Thick cotton of middle-aged men shirts, whose cigars puffed out as much wisdom and defiance as the embers themselves. Soapy and engulfing Arpege laid its heart bare to me and finally unveiled its secret with a warm and eternally potent spirit. What had happened? I do not know but, what I do know is that this scent once again surprised me.
Then, my cat got sick and I found myself gravitating towards this scent.
As I wore and tested this out in the confines of my home, Arpege began to soak itself into my memories. I won't lie. This is a very strong scent that at times, dances between being an unreachable engulfing relic which might indeed belong in a casket, to being a beautiful classic. Yet, it's a scent that can change depending on where you spray it (clothes/skin) weather, time, humidity etc.
If you want a surprising perfume you've found one! If you want a perfume that will change over time, this is it right here! It's perplexing and truly surprises me every time with how changeable it can be (or perhaps my opinion). Thankfully, it no longer smells to me like acrid feline urine but, something sweet and somber and yes it does share similarities with the infamous Chanel No.5.
After my cat passed away, this scent became inextricably linked to my memories. Thus, it's now a scent that sings of both good times and the not so grand times for me. It's warm, sweet and comforting with a dizzy mixture of sparkly aldehydes and bitter/acrid musky woodsy bases. Ultimately, it's the perfect cat lady scent and whilst I don't wear it often when I do, I remember all that was and in spite of it all, I can't help but smile... This nostalgia, led to me buying a bigger bottle of Arpege just in case I ever run out of what I call now "my secret scent".
As I wore and tested this out in the confines of my home, Arpege began to soak itself into my memories. I won't lie. This is a very strong scent that at times, dances between being an unreachable engulfing relic which might indeed belong in a casket, to being a beautiful classic. Yet, it's a scent that can change depending on where you spray it (clothes/skin) weather, time, humidity etc.
If you want a surprising perfume you've found one! If you want a perfume that will change over time, this is it right here! It's perplexing and truly surprises me every time with how changeable it can be (or perhaps my opinion). Thankfully, it no longer smells to me like acrid feline urine but, something sweet and somber and yes it does share similarities with the infamous Chanel No.5.
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Fragrance Type
Floral Aldehyde
Fragrance Notes
Top: Aldehydes, Honeysuckle, Peach, Neroli, Lil of the Valley, Bergamot
Middle: Camellia, Corriander, Iris, Lily, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Geranium
Base: Amber, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Musk, Vanilla, Benzoin, Vetiver
Smells Like?
No.5 by Chanel
Fleur de Chine by Tom Ford
Baghari by Robert Piguet
Femme by Joop!
I haven't tried all said fragrances above to verify the claims from Fragrantica but, I have tried Chanel No.5 in store and I'd say Arpege is pretty similar.
Would you recommend it?
Even if you like Chanel No.5 I'd say find a store and try it out to be safe. I think its a pretty scent but, it did take time to grow on me. So, I'd be foolish to think that most people would immediately think it smells good/amazing at first spritz. Chanel No.5 has been a scent I've admired on others but found when I tested it in store to be quite strong and shocking to me. Yet, there was always something alluring about it hence, my search for a dupe. Arpege by Lanvin certainly has the same vibe though I think its actually much more potent and soapy with astounding longevity. If you like soapy, opulent rich fragrances that are unashamed perfumes you'll like this as its truly a heady vivacious scent. Personally, I think if Lanvin had Arpege in an oil/perfume formulation where the scent could be lightly dabbed on - it would work so nicely.
What I've learned?
Apart from the fact that blind scent buys are a total gamble ... I've learnt that first impressions are not necessarily true to character and that more often than not, one should not judge a scent by its first spritz.
Interesting Info
Reviews/Mentions
Price: Currenty you could buy a 100ml bottlr go £27.95
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| Source |
Even if you like Chanel No.5 I'd say find a store and try it out to be safe. I think its a pretty scent but, it did take time to grow on me. So, I'd be foolish to think that most people would immediately think it smells good/amazing at first spritz. Chanel No.5 has been a scent I've admired on others but found when I tested it in store to be quite strong and shocking to me. Yet, there was always something alluring about it hence, my search for a dupe. Arpege by Lanvin certainly has the same vibe though I think its actually much more potent and soapy with astounding longevity. If you like soapy, opulent rich fragrances that are unashamed perfumes you'll like this as its truly a heady vivacious scent. Personally, I think if Lanvin had Arpege in an oil/perfume formulation where the scent could be lightly dabbed on - it would work so nicely.
What I've learned?
Apart from the fact that blind scent buys are a total gamble ... I've learnt that first impressions are not necessarily true to character and that more often than not, one should not judge a scent by its first spritz.
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| Source |
- Arpege was named after Arpeggio (a type of note playing in music)
- It was created by Andre Fraysee in 1927 for the house of Lanvin
- The fragrance was a gift for the daughter of Jean Lanvin on her 30th birthday (it was released when she was 27 and being musical she had named it)
- The logo on the front is based on a photo that Jean Lanvin had taken with her daughter when playing dress up
- Arpege by Lanvin - is touted as the second best aldehydic fragrance in the world (the first being Chanel No.5 mad in 1921)
Reviews/Mentions
Fragrance Community - Interview with Sergio Momo the founder of Xejjoff said that Arpege was one of the perfumes that inspired him the most (his grandmothers' perfume)
Price: Currenty you could buy a 100ml bottlr go £27.95
Have you tried Arpege?
Do you like fragrances like Chanel No.5?
How long does it take before you like, love or loathe a fragrance?
Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated
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