Masik Collegiate Fragrances debuts this year with fragrances for Penn State and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. The company has plans in the works for fragrances covering the Universities of Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee, as well as Auburn University and Louisiana State University. In case you were wondering:
Creating the "signature scents" is more scientific than you may think - Of the five senses, only our sense of smell is linked directly to the brain’s limbic system or emotional control center. Because of this link, a particular scent or fragrance can evoke memories and emotions before we are even consciously aware of them. This connection between scent and emotion is what enables Masik’s perfumers to link a school’s essence and spirit to fragrance compositions.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Men's Cologne ~ "UNC for men is a light and crisp fragrance that embodies alluring Carolina Blue in a bottle." With notes of neroli, lemon, cardamom, bergamot. iced juniper, lavender, geranium, jasmine, white pepper, white amber, tonka bean, vetiver and cashmere woods.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Women's Perfume ~ "UNC for women is a refreshing, airy and sparkling fragrance with soft base notes evoking the beauty, romance and Southern charm of Carolina’s Old Well." With notes of lychee champagne accord, mandarin, green apple, jasmine, muguet, rose, violet, vanilla, patchouli, amber woods and musk.
Penn State Men's Cologne ~ "Penn State for Men conveys a classic and refined style. The fragrance exudes Penn State blue and signifies masculinity, passion and honor." Featuring notes of armoise, bergamot, juniper berries, chilled gimlet accord, violet leaf, blue cypress, cracked pepper vapor, clary sage, lavender, vetiver, moss, black amber and patchouli.
Penn State Women's Perfume ~ "Penn State for women is an elegant and timeless creation. Graceful and Pure - Inspired by the beauty of Old Main." With notes of sparkling cassis, raspberry blossom, star jasmine, rose, dewberry blossom, lilac, white patchouli, amber, vanilla and tonka bean.
The Masik Collegiate fragrances are $60 each for 100 ml. (via masik)
Interesting concept, but all the “scientific mumbo jumbo” seems to take the artistry out of perfume – plus, I'm not sure I want to be reminded of my alma mater through smell (I was a dance major, so the only thing I smelled for 4 years was sweaty feet, cheesy body odor, men's locker rooms and Tiger Balm). Regardless, I prefer my “gimlet accord” warmed…..not chilled.
For some reason this just conjures up images of perfume-flinging fights between fans of rival football teams.
Close, Marko! I'll go ahead and make the obvious crack that my college has olfactory triggers of empty pizza boxes, unwashed dorm rooms and, of course, beer-infused emesis mixed with a certain herb. And that was BEFORE we went down to the local subway station! Ah, youth…
Warmed gimlet?
I purchased the UNC Women's perfume for my mother and I (both UNC alums) after smelling it …it actually smells amazing! Just FYI
-CSmith
A new weapon in inter-collegiate rivalry
Le Labo is doing cities, and now we're getting universities. I suppose it's only a matter of time before they start doing corporations. I wonder what Eau de General Dynamics would smell like?
Guaranteed sales. Wish I'd thought of it.
C'mon, Robin, what angle hasn't been worked yet? There have got to be one or two untapped marketing strategies left we could negotiate for our own profit.
Glad to hear it
Sony has a scent, apparently, to “brand” their stores, and just about every luxury hotel has a scent, so why not General Dynamics? It's coming soon, I'm sure.
What's interesting is that if you read the “about” section on the Masik website, it's clear that they were doing just that — casting around for an untapped fragrance marketing strategy.
I never think of these things, that's why I'm still here, blogging away in my pajamas.
how about Lord Fairfax Community College?
Think of all the hazing rituals that can now be performed with perfume!
Hmmm at first I thought it seemed a bit ridiculous, but now that I think about it, it's pretty genius! Ok lets see, I went to University of San Diego…thinking back to my days there, I recall a fresh, sea breeze, an always-immaculate and freshly-cut lawn, and plenty of flowers. I think I'd snatch that up in a bottle!
I've never seen anything like these before. These are a cool idea and the students might love them. I would like to smell the Auburn University perfume. I went there.
Hmm, forgot to mention that I now live in NC and would also like to smell the UNC version.
Oh please. UGA is exhaust from the campus buses running on peanut oil (honest, it was peanut oil; it could be anything by now). UTK is exhaust from the city buses mixed with whatever washed up in the river that day. Pass.
Hazing never smelled so good…
Coming soon…
I went to UCSD — which is Comptoir Sud Pacifique Aqua Motu
Ah, then hope that one will bring back memories when it launches!
Haha, if McGill University (my alma mater) had a scent, it'd have notes of library books, carpeting, autumn leaves, wool scarves, snow, freezing cold, floor wax, coffee and sandwiches floating from the cafe underneath the library, and shawarma/zatar/beer from Gert's Bar in the student center.
And I'm not even sure if I'd buy it. Four years have been more than enough, thank you very much.
Can you say “gimmick”? Notice that they are choosing universities with a large enough enrollment and number of alumni to sell at least enough bottles to break even. Do you think they'll make my alma mater, Dartmouth? I don't think so.
Goodness, I wonder what Florida State would smell like? I'm almost scared to think…..
I think you can get it at the campus bookstore…
Peanut oil?? That's an exhaust smell I don't know!
I think CB I Hate Perfume might be able to help you out! “In the Library, By the Shawarma Stand….”
This university frag concept makes me very sad. It just seems so ridiculous that one frag could summarize the ever changing experiences of the 40,000 plus individuals from all over the USA and the world that attend our large universities….
I can certainly say that my memories of Penn State in the early 90s include Coco Chanel, the wonderful spicy smell of fallen leaves on a crisp fall morning, the smell of fried food from my first campus job, cheap hot chocolate and toasted bagels, and the intoxicating “post game” smell of the gorgeous volleyball player I had a huge crush on……Oh, and CK Eternity and Obsession for Men which was all the rage when I was there.
My mom certifies that all the young ladies wore Shalimar when she was in college. Why do we need some packaged frag to define our memories when there are plenty of good frags that are already in the mode?
I just love the piped in aroma that Nordstrom uses in its Portland stores…I assume they'd use it in all their stores? As soon as I smell that aroma, I think of happy shopping bliss — nice SA's, samples, gorgeous accessories….I wish I could get it for my home or workplace!
LOL!
Really? If there's a piped in aroma at my Nordstrom, I haven't even noticed! What does it smell like?
Quite true — it will be interesting to see which other colleges get added, if any.
Time will tell, LOL..
I suppose it's just one more thing to buy…my husband, I have to say, will buy almost anything that says University of Delaware on it.
Tallahassee isn't an ugly city, it's just non descript enough for me to wonder what the scent would smell like?
I mentioned this fragrance concept to my Aunt Mary, (U.FLorida fan), and she couldn't resist mentioning our most recent loss to the Gators. Don't think she'll be getting a bottle anytime soon!
Good lord!
Aside from a certain fellow student that always wore the same three piece suit to class (and was told by his thesis advisor that they couldn't have thesis meetings in her office anymore, because his unwashed clothes were too rank), the other standout olfactory memory I have is the post thesis parade scent of stale cheap champagne, burnt paper and mud. I'm pretty sure I don't want that captured in a bottle.
(And as a dutiful disclaimer, I went to Reed and we're not all smelly hippies.)
I'm guessing you won't have to worry about Reed — looks like only the really big state schools are going to get scented!
I hope they leave the University of Michigan alone. I don't know how they'll recreate the overwhelming scent of marijuana, hashish, and patchouli at the annual Hash Bash on the diag… or maybe they'll resort to trying to capture the essence of BO from the Nude Mile race… aaaah, Ann Arbor!
Will the scents for the Ivy League colleges be uptight and stuffy? Will those for the party schools smell of booze and dope? And which colleges will get the skanky smells?
If this is taken to its logical extreme, then there will be scents for the various groups within the student bodies… Eau du Jock; Whiff of Cheerleader; Gothic Dream; Night of the Nerd; etc etc etc
There was a funny piece on NPR where people listed the smells that reminded them of college…they were pretty much like yours!
Yeah…the generic scents might be coming next…
Does anyone else not find this absolutely fascinating?!!! I don't know about you but when I think of my college experience, most of the time a smile comes on my face. Also I am very proud of the college I went to…this seems like a nice concept. Has anyone actually tried it? I would be interested in smelling the ones that are out already.
I haven't tried them, sorry.
Hey – just saw your Q …. This will sound ridiculous, but it smells like clean, fresh air with a hint of floral. Not that weird “ozone” smell though. And no actual chemical fragrance odor like most airfresheners have. I can't really say what it is. It smells the same at both the Washington Square Nordstrom and the Pioneer Square Nordstrom in Portland. And it is not actual fresh air from outside. Whatver it is, I love it.
How interesting. I'll have to pay closer attention next time I go — I've really never noticed. Thanks!
Hum. My university had collegiate coloured M&Ms, and I thought that was pointless. At least they won’t be creating college dorm perfumes. Mine smelled like BO and old cheese. And, and for one notable week that I still regret, durian.
Speaking of which, why can’t some loathsome celebrity come out with a durian perfume?
Eventually, some loathsome celebrity probably will.