Le Labo has launched Musc 25, the latest fragrance in their "city exclusive" series. Musc 25 is for Los Angeles, and is...
...white, angelic, very musky and aldehydic, and so intensely luminous that you will need to wear shades to approach it. Yet despite all this heavenly white, it's [sic] core is somber, devilishly dark, so much so that it wakes up your inner demons...
The fragrance notes include aldehydes, ambergris, musk, lily of the valley, patchouli, rose, cedar, vetiver and "a synthesized representation of human semen".
Le Labo Musc 25 is available in 50 ($260) or 100 ml ($400), and is exclusive to the Le Labo boutique in Los Angeles, at 8385 West Third Street (see image above).
(first quote via lelabofragrances, second quote via latimes)
Update: Le Labo Musc 25 was developed by perfumer Frank Voelkl.
Another update: see a review of Le Labo Musc 25.
I don't really like musk, but I might give this a try if I'm ever in LA which will probably be never. So I guess I will never smell this synthesized representation of human semen, oh well.
Has anyone tried the London Poivre one?
Everything sounds great except for the aldehyde opening…
Ugh. Etat de Libre wrote, their want the synthesized representation of human semen note back.
If they were going to add a gimmicky outrageous note to this one, wouldn't plastic have been a better choice for LA?
As opposed to, say, beaver semen?
That little typo had me LOL — its and it's are old bugbears of mine.
All that said, it sounds pretty good. I wouldn't turn down a sniff if one came my way…
This is eerie.. the other day, i actually described my fiancee's semen as a desirable note in a perfume… and today, well, its close right? lol. I think a 20 minute drive to LA for a sniff is definitely on the agenda.
The London is lovely, hope to review it soon. They've done a nice job w/ the city exclusives, although I find the concept annoying.
I don't mind aldehydes except in heavy florals, usually.
LOL!
I'm not sure they were trying to be gimmicky or outrageous — they didn't even list the note on their website. Or perhaps they *were* trying to be gimmicky and they figured being “secret” would get even more attention? Who knows. At least they didn't do LA smog…
LOL — your beaver semen made me spew tea
I won't throw stones since this site is riddled with typos…
Semen: The New Anti Pink Sugar.
I wouldn't turn down a sniff of the new Le Labo if it came my way, but I'm not going out of my way for it.
It was sounding interesting, until I hit that last note… ugh. I will definitely smell this one on a blotter first…
How about silicone?
Okay, you made me laugh.
There's semen, and then there's Semen.
Well, in perfumery there is no such thing as a bad smell (component wise)
I do think La Labo is a bit over-priced as the packaging is very basic and there is no editioning etc. I'm in London so I will try and smell Poivre.
I'd love to smell their Poivre, even though the LL price point is way too high for my cheapskate tendencies. Musk really doesn't say Los Angeles to me (then again, it doesn't seem like any of the concepts have anything to do with the cities). In any case, I won't be rushing to try this at all.
I agree completely with Colombina's remark. These “notes” (use that term loosely) in perfumery are getting ridiculous. Is it the only way to create buzz about your fragrance. I know no one wants to know this, but strangely enough, I've had conversations about how I'm anosmic to that particular odor, though I certainly don't mind. OK… I've taken this way too far, but did some research and found that there've been studies showing 20% of people are anosmic to a compound called 1-pyrroline, which seems to account for this. Interesting … uh, I guess.
“Between love and madness lies Semen.”
“Semen is my potion.”
“For men who love women who love semen.”
Really, the advertising taglines just write themselves.
LOL!
And Joe — I actually found that very interesting!
That would work too…
Hope it will come close then…
LOL — well, we maybe needed an anti-pink-sugar, so…
Pyramus,
Seriously, you should have saved “Between love and madness likes Semen” for the Prix Eau Faux!
Lies, not likes…
Better safe than sorry
Joe, I don't think I'd ever pay the price for one of the city exclusives given that they're no nicer than the regulars, and twice the price.
And that's an interestingl factoid — turns out I did want to know.
I guess there must be a law against using real human semen rather than opting for a synthesised version… or else the economics are too prohibitive. But think of the special edition extensions you could do if you could use (and source) the real thing, I think these would be right up Le Labo's alley…..
Le Labo Musc 25 – Senator Obama 2008 Edition
Le Labo Musc 25 – President Obama 2009 Edition
Le Labo Musc 25 – Editions de Sarkozy
Le Labo Musc 25 – Clinton/Lewinsky 1995 Edition
But of course, you'd have to neutralise said ingrdient to avoid unwanted progeny; perhaps accompany each bottle with the necessary prophylatic – yet another marketing spin!
Sorry, taking it too far I know, but couldn't resist!
mmmmmm semen
LOL — I have nothing to say but: ack!
Yum, yum, lol!
I will get over there to smell it later on this month, but it does not sound particularly tantalizing to me, shall we say…
On the other hand, I layered Poivre 23 with Vanille 44 this morning, and it is truly yummy!
Hugs and…ughs!!
You know, I was just thinking about this combination the other day – It does sound yummy!
I'm just grateful they chose *human* semen, rather than some other vertebrate.
2nd that — sounds wonderful! But doubly expensive, LOL…