I’m not sure why L’Artisan Parfumeur have given us the Explosions D’Émotions mini-range, but there we are: the logic of fragrance releases isn’t always easy to work out. As a brand, they’ve recently struggled to maintain their identity – examples of this include their decision to ditch their 50 ml bottles and their smaller candles, their Caligna marketing campaign, the categorisation of their scents into ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’, their flirtations with Sephora and their presence on QVC – so perhaps this new trio of scents is just the latest evidence of some kind of internal re-alignment. Maybe we’re supposed to read it as a sign of greater changes to come. Or maybe Bertrand Duchaufour – yes, him again – just had three spare fragrances lying around and didn’t want them gathering the proverbial dust in his lab. Who knows? The facts are that they’re with us and that, for whatever reason, L’Artisan don’t wish us to view them as part of the main collection. According to the press release, the scents’ unifying theme is “the emotional power of olfactory art”, a phrase so vague and hollow, it implies that, actually, there is no unifying theme at all. So I suggest we dispense with the marketing spin and treat the perfumes as separate entities.
Of the three, Skin On Skin is perhaps the least interesting. Essentially a drier, less multi-faceted version of Duchaufour’s own Traversée Du Bosphore, it mixes leather, iris and musks with an odd, medicinal note which will no doubt have some wearers making comparisons with the Band Aid whiff of L’Heure Bleue. I couldn’t quite see the point of it, but then I’m aware that many people found Bosphore too sweet – and apparently it wasn’t as runaway a success as L’Artisan had hoped – so perhaps it’ll find a grateful audience.
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Thanks for the great review of these three. I have been waiting to try them. Although, I really don't get where L'Artisan is going in terms of their marketing plan. I hope they make up their minds and stick to one course. I also truly hope they smarten up about the decision to stop selling 50mL bottles!
Dubaiscents, thank YOU for reading.
I think the 50 ml bottles make more sense to perfume geek customers than they do to brands… but yes, I'd love it if they came back.
Ugh, I've tried them and I really, really, hated Déliria. The metallic notes reminded me of Sécretions Magnifique and induced a gag reflex in me. That's a sure sign that no matter how creative a fragrance is, if the outcome of wearing it is going to be a fountain of puke, then it's not for me.
I think you're also spot-on about Skin on Skin – it's really Traversée du Bosphore on the quiet, less sweet and with more iris. I liked Traversée a lot, so this one was ok with me.
As for Amour, it wasn't interesting enough to leave a scent memory.
I really wish the L'Artisan of the past would come back. I blame Penhaligon's 🙂
Vagabond, thanks for your take on Deliria. It would certainly seem that it has the power to polarise, which is always a sure sign of an interesting piece of work.
Persolaise!
Finally someone gets the sheesha note from Deliria. It even has a coal/carbon-like aspect besides the fruit. Quite good.
Umer, I've replied below.
Persolaise!
Finally somebody called out the sheesha note (accord?) in Deliria. It even has a carbon/coal-like vibe that one gets from those self-lighting coals that are used sometimes. Quite good overall
Umer, yes, the sheesha note seems pretty clear to me. It could well be an effect created by the fruity top notes and the smoky incense.
I'm pretty impressed with Deliria. I think it's one of the more unusual releases we've had this year.