Indie niche line CB I Hate Perfume has launched M5 Where We Are There Is No Here, the latest in the Metamorphosis series. All of the perfumes have now been numbered; this one is 405:
405 is a paradox – the antithesis of perfume. It is completely intangible and almost undetectable. Yet it has great presence and allure. Like the ghost of a flower, it touches the subconscious of those who wear it – and those who encounter it. Inspired by the last of Cocteau’s films, WHERE WE ARE THERE IS NO HERE is made to create a special place in the inner world. The world of poetry. The world of the imagination. The world of the surreal.
WHERE WE ARE THERE IS NO HERE is carefully worked from ISO E Super, Hedione, Moroccan, Indian and Egyptian Jasmine Absolutes, Amber Absolute, Australian and Mysore Sandalwoods, and a special “invisible musk” accord designed specifically for this perfume.
CB I Hate Perfume M5 Where We Are There Is No Here is available in 2 ($21) or 15 ($150) ml Perfume Absolute or 100 ml Water Perfume ($135).
(via cbihateperfume)
Whatever. Why spend $21 for 2mL of something you can’t smell?
He talked about the scent here:
http://nymag.com/news/features/perfumer-christopher-brosius-2011-5/
Would like to smell it, assuming I can! I do like this brand.
A variation of the Escentric Molecules. Some people can smell ISO E Super; some (like me) can’t.
This has to be the most awkward name ever.
Could be, although it doesn’t sound like Escentric Molecules to me — the EM scents that are not single molecules are not meant to be undetectable.
I went from paying the EM price to buying ISO E Super online. It smells lovely, more masculine than feminine but very unisex and subtle, it’s something you may have smelt before but you’re simply not sure, it’s like opening a new notebook box (a little electronic) and there is a soft hint of cedar… I tried it only pure (I know, I know I shouldn’t) and I can perfectly smell it, I still got to buy some DPG to dilute it and use it with a spray though.
I may be missing the point, but why wear something “invisible”? I mean if you can’t smell it, why bother at all?
I think the only way to get it is to read the article I linked to above. And, I’m not assuming that it has no scent, but that it is perhaps faint.
Ok, I read the article and still don’t get it…
He seems to explain the name (at a particular point in the article) by saying ‘where we are is not here’ is like a perfume which some people cant smell.
Then later the point seems to be that though the perfume is imperceptible to the conscious mind, it nevertheless affects the unconscious (subliminal advertising, anyone?)
Then again later, he explains that the perfume is made to smell different on different people (eccentric molecule idea?). So it amplifies ones individuality?
And then he makes the pretentious statement that its not a perfume for anyone who needs a perfume to express who they are-
Unfortunate because the rest of the line sounds so wonderfully unpretentious.
I suppose it’s true that I’d probably be rolling my eyes if I wasn’t already sold on this line. But because I know what he does, it seems interesting to me. Even for a niche line, it is unusual — it is not a line aimed at mainstream consumers OR perfumistas.
And of course knowing more of his work, and more of him, you are able to put it all in a broader context which I don’t have. (I would LOVE to try Snow!)
HA, maybe. What I know about Cocteau would fit neatly on the head of a pin.
It’s the selling point of the Iso E Super
Can’t wait for the flanker inspired by Gertrude Stein — “There Is No There There.”
The “invisible musk” accord really intrigues me… I might try this actually
I’d definitely like to try it.
ISO E SUPER = NOPE
An invisible perfume would be perfect for work!
I’d love to try this. It’s clear that we are influenced by all sorts of things we aren’t aware of. I like that he’s exploring all sorts of different approaches to perfume.
After reading the Times article, I thought everyone here was crazy, why do people think it’s got Iso E Super? But then I read the notes in the text I had only skimmed — duh. The concept sounds good, but yeah, it’s kind of already out there. Anyway, I probably can’t wear it because I’m like an amber magnifier. It would just smell sweet and barfy, not invisible.
Would like to know more about what are people’s favorite CB scents!
Mine: Black March, Memory of Kindness. I think he recently said the biggest seller was In The Library.
I love In the Library! Also Violet Empire and White Soap. And I enjoyed smelling his Roast Beef Accord, though I can’t imagine wearing it.:)
I am way overdue for another visit to CB’s gallery.
Thank you, I need to check out this line.
CB’s been in the press a lot lately.