• About
  • Login to comment
    • Facebook
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Now Smell This

a blog about perfume

Menu ▼
  • Perfume Reviews
  • New Perfumes
  • Perfumers
  • Perfume Houses
  • Shop for perfume
  • Resources

Tom of Finland by Etat Libre d'Orange ~ new fragrance

Posted by Robin on 22 January 2008 43 Comments

Etat Libre d'Orange Tom of Finland cologneEtat Libre d'Orange's next scent will be Tom of Finland, a fragrance created for the Tom of Finland Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers "a safe haven for all erotic art".

The packaging will feature homoerotic artwork by the late Touko Laaksonen, aka Tom of Finland, and prospective customers will reportedly have to establish that they are of age (21 in the US, 18 elsewhere) to purchase the fragrance.

The Tom of Finland fragrance was created by perfumer Antoine Lie, who was asked to create a scent that "does not disturb the odor of men". The notes feature "crumpled leaf", suede, metal, pepperwood, iris, vetiver, tonka bean and musks.

Etat Libre d'Orange Tom of Finland will be available in 50 ml Eau de Parfum. (via Women's Wear Daily, additional information via tomoffinlandfoundation) Update: see a review of Etat Libre d'Orange Tom of Finland.

Filed Under: new fragrances

Advertisement


43 Comments

Leave a comment, or read more about commenting at Now Smell This. Here's our privacy policy, and a handy emoticon chart.

  1. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 9:22 am

    Wow Robin, definitely no fruity florals in this one..:-D

    Log in to Reply
  2. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 10:52 am

    I love that it “does not disturb the odor of men.” I keep hearing it in a falsetto Monty Python voice.

    Log in to Reply
  3. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 11:51 am

    Some guys over at Basenotes have smelled this (they live in Europe) and have reported it has a 'green-ish' aura, with a slight metallic tang and a subtle leather note. Which sounds absolutely unlike the picture you've posted above Robin. :)

    Log in to Reply
  4. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 12:18 pm

    Have looked at their website and this is some different stuff ;-)

    Mike the aromas that you mention won't mess with the male bodyscent.. I guess…

    Log in to Reply
  5. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 1:18 pm

    Nope!

    Log in to Reply
  6. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 1:22 pm

    Works just like an ear worm: now I will hear it that way forever too.

    Log in to Reply
  7. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 1:23 pm

    Mikeperez, The man in the picture looks like his odor would not be easily disturbed.

    Log in to Reply
  8. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 1:29 pm

    Does anyone else besides me want to pull that shirt back down over his nipple?

    Log in to Reply
  9. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 1:33 pm

    Well with the exception of Rossy de Palma, this is definitely my favorite gimmick of the line so far.
    For whatever that's worth. ; )

    Log in to Reply
  10. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 1:37 pm

    I have a feeling you do not need to spend much time perusing the Tom of Finland website then ;-)

    Log in to Reply
  11. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 1:38 pm

    This one & the RdP both seem to have some point to them, so I'd agree.

    Log in to Reply
  12. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 2:12 pm

    Too late. I've already been there. My, my, my, the men there do certainly have some sproingy members, don't they?

    Log in to Reply
  13. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 2:21 pm

    Maybe this is a fragrance for men who don't like to wear frgncs.

    Log in to Reply
  14. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 2:21 pm

    Indeed, they are impressively sproingy.

    Log in to Reply
  15. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 2:24 pm

    Hey, are you aimtx? :)

    Log in to Reply
  16. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 2:32 pm

    I have the earworm of all time–Monty Python's “Finland Song” being sung by a chorus line of TOF drawings….I am very curious to try this one. I love several ELDO scents and am in the minority in that I find their whole schtick amusing. cheers, Sara

    Log in to Reply
  17. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 3:01 pm

    Yes, but does he cry explosively?

    Log in to Reply
  18. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 4:02 pm

    Yeah, but only because he looks cold and uncomfortable! Poor guy, it looks like the male version of getting your skirt caught in the back of your pantyhose! Somebody help him! LOL!

    Can't go to the site, not safe for work me thinks! But I do like the way men smell as a general rule, so yay for them for going with the flow instead of against.

    Log in to Reply
  19. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 4:07 pm

    Nope. I go by sweetlife everywhere but here. NST was the first blog I signed into and I hadn't got the hang of the handle thing yet. Nor am I motivated enough to figure out how to re-register.

    Log in to Reply
  20. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 4:36 pm

    I would have included NSFW in the article, but figured the “don't enter if you're underage” thing was enough of a clue ;-)

    Log in to Reply
  21. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 4:37 pm

    Luckily for me, I don't know that one! Otherwise, am very susceptible to ear worms.

    Hope this one will be worth smelling :-)

    Log in to Reply
  22. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 4:38 pm

    Went *whoosh* over my head…

    Log in to Reply
  23. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 4:43 pm

    Where is my dictionary..?!

    Log in to Reply
  24. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 4:44 pm

    The guy on the picture would fit well in an ad for Le Male whatever version.

    Log in to Reply
  25. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 6:20 pm

    This is actually really entertaining news. I was convinced the ELdO folks had lost their minds when I read the copy for “Don't Get Me Wrong Baby, I Don't Swallow”, but I do think they have nothing if not a sense of humor.

    I think this scent should be nothing but leather, civet, and castoreum.

    Log in to Reply
  26. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 9:03 pm

    Count me in too. Thanks.

    Log in to Reply
  27. Anonymous says:
    22 January 2008 at 9:59 pm

    OK, am I the only one who thinks the “must be 21 to purchase” ploy is particularly ridiculous? Or did I read that wrong?!

    Log in to Reply
  28. Anonymous says:
    23 January 2008 at 1:08 am

    Only when assembling furniture.

    Log in to Reply
  29. Anonymous says:
    23 January 2008 at 9:18 am

    I'm absolutely tickled about ELDO doing this fragrance. Tom of Finland has long, long been associated with the hypermasculine leather community, where the use of fragrances is seriously frowned upon and discouraged. Oh, the irony!

    Log in to Reply
  30. Anonymous says:
    23 January 2008 at 9:23 am

    Your idea of the scent would be a better fit with the imagery!

    Log in to Reply
  31. Anonymous says:
    23 January 2008 at 9:25 am

    I don't know if it is another way to get attention or if they were seriously worried about selling risque images to young people, but yes, it is ridiculous. I believe there are 7 versions of the packaging, some of which are “problematic” in that regard and some of which aren't.

    Log in to Reply
  32. Anonymous says:
    23 January 2008 at 9:29 am

    Perhaps it will sell better outside their own constituency then. In the US, at any rate, the line is only carried at Henri Bendel, which I wouldn't guess is favored stomping grounds of the hypermasculine leather community?

    Log in to Reply
  33. Anonymous says:
    23 January 2008 at 9:57 am

    I think you would be correct in that guess. I'VE never even been inside of Bendel's, but that's mostly because I live in Minnesota. I understand I can order ELDO by phone, but there are only 1 or 2 in the whole line that I'll wear. (I'd REALLY like to try the Noël au Balcon, but I guess Sephora France doesn't ship to the U.S.)

    I just find the whole notion that wearing scents as an indication of a man's lack of masculinity, especially in that segment of the gay community. There is a saying: “Leather is just another form of drag.” It has its own customs and costumes, just as any other defined segment of the gay community. I see profiles on gay sites where guys will say something like this: “Smell like a man! That means no deodorant, no cologne, no perfume!” And then it's accompanied by a picture of the writer with an 8″ stogie sticking out of his face. Um, yeah. That cigar really makes you look like a man!

    I lived in San Francisco for eight years, and one of the bars on Castro Street had a sign in the window prohibiting “applied scents.” I so wanted to make some sort of scent bomb with A*Men and throw it inside!

    Log in to Reply
  34. Anonymous says:
    23 January 2008 at 10:37 am

    This entire brand could be something from my hometown Amsterdam.

    “Sex sells” that is the main idea behind this concept.

    Planned a visit back home in february and hope to go and visit the little store where both Etat d'Orange and Frederic Malles fragrances are being sold.

    Log in to Reply
  35. Anonymous says:
    23 January 2008 at 6:35 pm

    I like greenish metallic leather. The, um, partial picture makes me think of my fourth-grade male students, who are enthralled by Wrestling.

    Log in to Reply
  36. Anonymous says:
    24 January 2008 at 9:46 am

    Tim, It is interesting then, that the TOF foundation decided to do this. Perhaps they need to raise funds like everybody else, or perhaps their constituency is now much wider — I know their stated mission was originally about preserving the legacy of the original Tom of Finland's artwork, now it is more widely about a “safe haven for erotic art” in general.

    Log in to Reply
  37. Anonymous says:
    24 January 2008 at 9:47 am

    Not sure it is a “real” word anyway!

    Log in to Reply
  38. Anonymous says:
    24 January 2008 at 9:51 am

    LOL — for some reason, now picturing people being arrested for procuring Tom of Finland fragrance for minors. I'm afraid your fourth grade boys will have to stick to Axe ;-)

    Log in to Reply
  39. Anonymous says:
    24 January 2008 at 6:35 pm

    A feeble reference to Skarb.

    Log in to Reply
  40. Anonymous says:
    24 January 2008 at 10:01 pm

    Ack — sorry, that was over a week ago, I'd already forgotten!

    Log in to Reply
  41. Anonymous says:
    9 April 2008 at 8:48 pm

    Motley in Boston, MA is the first retailer in the U.S. to carry this scent. It is available now before it's official U.S. launch in June 2008. http://www.shopmotley.com

    Log in to Reply
  42. etiennepadin says:
    4 December 2010 at 9:03 pm

    This is my favorite scent of all times. I can’t even describe it. I cannot wait to be able to find a way (or a friend visiting France) to get another one.

    [link removed: see comment policy]

    Log in to Reply
    • Ericgmd says:
      22 January 2011 at 4:30 pm

      etiennepadin, I have 2 brand new sealed bottles of Etat Libre D’Orange Tom of Finland for trade if you are interested. I purchased several bottles while living in London. I just got back in the US this month and still have these 2 unopened and sealed.
      Let me know.

      Log in to Reply

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Advertisement

Search

From NST at Twitter

  • "How scientists are decoding what the past smelled like" (cnn) https://t.co/jdiy07ZXfh, 1 hour ago
  • "ArtSEA: A seaweed-scented dip into the abyss at the National Nordic Museum" (crosscut) https://t.co/qdhw2os2jV,
  • "Why All the Cool Kids Smell Like Pistachios Right Now" (harpers bazaar) https://t.co/LbGd9vvrdE,
  • "Lush jumps into action with new Super Mario bath collection" (cosmeticsbusiness) https://t.co/Zz5kXx64DN,
  • "W Editors Share Their All-Time Favorite Fragrances" https://t.co/ynkWuxNwE2,

Browse by...

Topic

Perfume talk New fragrances
Shopping Books :: News
Body products Home fragrance
Polls Another subject

Date

February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022

Prior months

Author

Robin Jessica
Angela Kevin
Erin Guest Author

Tag

Celebrity perfumes
Cheap thrills
Collector bottles
Perfumista tip series
Video
The complete tag index

Recent reviews

Atelier Cologne Love Osmanthus
Moschino Toy Boy
Arquiste Misfit
Diptyque Eau Capitale
Zoologist Bee
Parfum d’Empire Immortelle Corse
Comme des Garcons Series 10 Clash
Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir
L’Artisan Parfumeur Le Chant de Camargue
Yves Saint Laurent Grain de Poudre
Régime des Fleurs Chloë Sevigny Little Flower
Chanel 1957
Gallivant Los Angeles
Amouage Portrayal Woman

Blogroll

Bois de Jasmin
Grain de Musc
Perfume Posse
The Non-Blonde
More blogs...

Perfumista lists

100 fragrances every perfumista should try
And 25 more fragrances every perfumista should smell
50 masculine fragrances every perfumista should try
26 vintage fragrances every perfumista should try
25 rose fragrances every perfumista should try
11 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Outsiders Love

Favorite posts

The Great Perfume Reduction Plan
Why I Love Old School Chypres
New to perfume and want to learn more?
How to make fragrance last through the day
Fragrance concentrations: sorting it all out
On reformulations, or why your favorite perfume doesn’t smell like it used to
How to get fragrance samples
Perfume for Life: How Long Will Your Fragrance Collection Last?

Upcoming

List of upcoming Friday projects

3 April ~ damage poll
15 April ~ swap meet

6 May ~ spring reading poll
20 May ~ splitmeet

Back to Top

Home
About Now Smell This :: Privacy Policy

Shop for Perfume Online
Perfume Shopping in New York
Perfume Shopping in London
Perfume Reviews
New Perfumes
General Perfume Articles
The Monday Mail

Glossary of Perfume Terms
Perfume FAQ
Perfume Links
Perfume Books
Fragrance Awards

Noses ~ Perfumers A-E :: F-K :: L-S :: T-Z

Perfume Houses A-B :: C :: D-E :: F-G
H-J :: K-L :: M :: N-O :: P :: Q-R :: S
T :: U-Z

Copyright © 2005-2023 Now Smell This. All rights reserved.