Indie brand Imaginary Authors has launched O, Unknown!. Like the other fragrances in the line, it was inspired by an imaginary book by an imaginary author.
At age 65, when famed explorer and author Philip Sava was given less than a year to live, he set off from his home in Madagascar for parts unknown. Leaving all his belongings behind, he set off on foot, hopped a freighter across the Indian Ocean, and wandered into the Bangladesh wilderness. His journey, which lasted over a decade, took him through Nepal and Tibet where his exploration turned spiritual and into rural China where months of solitude resulted in some of the most confessional observations ever committed to paper. This is the story of a man grappling with the meaning of life as he grasps to life’s last vestiges.
WHEN TO WEAR: At the risk of sounding bleak, this night could be your last. Splash on O, Unknown! and plunge forth into prosperity and joy. Repeat as often as you are able.
The notes include black tea, lapsang souchong, orris butter, Kyoto moss, musk balsam, sandalwood & ???.
Imaginary Authors O, Unknown! is available in 14 ($38) or 50 ($95) ml Eau de Parfum.
(via imaginaryauthors)
Notes sound promising!
I have only tried once so far, but I liked it. Hopefully will spend more time with it and review it soon.
Sounds good! Nice bottle.
IA is smart — it’s obviously not an expensive bottle so they do a cool label that covers the whole thing. I’d prefer that to paying more for a great bottle, personally.
I just cannot get into these backstories. What’s wrong with me?? I LOVE the concept of Imaginary Authors, but these book blurbs just never capture me.
I can’t either. I don’t love the concept, and the blurbs make it worse. We can be in the cranky corner on this brand!
I am usually so distracted that I don’t do more than skim them. I get why brands want backstory, but since I don’t want so much backstory I do a lot of ignoring
But also, these usually seem so tongue in cheek that they don’t actually turn me off, like overblown perfume copy often does.
I had heard their next perfume would feature iris and I’ve been looking forward to it! Nice bottle, too.
I usually like any perfume with iris in it and I’m looking forward to trying this one.
I agree—too much backstory. Seems like brands care more about the “concept” or “story” than the juice itself. This sounds like fun and all but it just seems like the scent is the afterthought and the story is the main appeal. I get my storytelling fix from books. I want my perfume to just be about the perfume.
Those notes sound interesting! Of course, I said that about Saint Julep, too. And I liked it very much; I just found it too fleeting. But I’ll definitely sample this one. IA Backstories? I think they’re amusing, but that’s probably because they seem very tongue-in-cheek to me.
My friend owns an amazing NYC store in which he only carries finer scents / products from all over the world (that he sources himself globally) met the owner of this line, Imaginary Authors, who convinced my friend to order the small sizes of the entire IA line. I bought The Cobra and The Canary 50 ounce size unsiffed, and my entire office building, as well as people on the streets of NYC where I live, stop me to ask me what I am wearing. Bull’s Blood is fantastic too. The history of the brand, and how the owner/founder meticulously sources for ingredients ofr the brand was a great backstory. Especially when the product actually lives up to the hype. I’ll have my friend order this in full sized unsniffed too, I truly love this line!
I admit to skimming also, but I assumed dreaming up the backstories provides the inspiration for the notes of the scents themselves. I find that creative process intriguing.