THE FRAGRANCES

Smell better.

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COLLAGES BY SILVIA PRADA

TEXT BY TOM JACKSON

Hi Tom here,

Putting together this project was so much fun. Artist Silvia Prada styled and photographed a collection of both old-school and newer fragrances on top of vintage gay erotica magazines. Strangely, they complement each other perfectly.

I dedicated an afternoon to immerse myself in all these fragrances to provide my frank and unbiased opinions on each of them. I was not paid by anyone to write these reviews so, while I did my best to be fair, there were a couple that felt like I was diving into my grandma's panty drawer.

On the other hand, there were some I absolutely adored.

xoxo

Tom (and Abi)

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Eternity for Women:

This scent was released by Calvin Klein in 1988. It’s a rather heavy floral scent that will take you directly back to the mall perfume counters of your youth. Its retro appeal is somewhat comforting in a I-want-to-reminisce-about-my-dead-grandmother kind of way. The brand says it has notes of sichuan pepper, jasmine sambac, Turkish rose, cashmeran, and sandalwood. If you say so!

Loewe

Aire:

Loewe’s Aire was originally released in 1985 in a much rounder, 80s-style bottle. Under the direction of the brand’s current creative director, Jonathan Anderson, Aire has been updated, and is also a part of their Botanical Rainbow collection. With notes of lemon, green galbanum, and jasmine, Aire is a light and modern scent. It’s lovely.

Earth:

Loewe’s Earth Eau de Parfum from the Botanical Rainbow collection is a refreshing change from the big-nosed fragrances from big fashion houses. Núria Cruelles, the house perfumer, beautifully blends a mimosa’s lightness with the autumnal warmth from amber and violet. The use of white truffle from northern Italy adds an organic quality to the scent. Earth may not conform to the typical bestseller formula, but that’s probably why I like it so much.

001:

This fragrance is all about new beginnings. Loewe 001 Man Eau de Parfum is a fresh and contemporary scent blending bergamot, mandarin, and sandalwood. Encased in a clean, glass block flask. It’s easy, breezy, and clean-smelling.

Calvin Klein

Euphoria:

This iconic perfume by Calvin Klein was released in 2005 for women, and in 2006 for men. She’s an early 2000s legend, but is she any good? Surprisingly, this scent stands up to many of the fragrances in this story. For a blockbuster scent, it’s sophisticated, and very pleasant. The bottle is also one of the most aesthetically pleasing designs from a big house. It’s likely inspired by Thierry Mugler’s unique perfume bottles, but it works. Expect notes of blackcurrant, orchid, and patchouli. I’m into it.