Comme des Garçons’ latest fragrance is called Concrete. But Comme des Garçons says the fragrance isn’t about concrete at all — it’s a deconstructed sandalwood. It’s also supposed to evoke New York City. So, which is it?
None of these, if you ask me. To me, Concrete is a sweet and creamy, yet industrial-smelling fragrance, sort of like warm custard in a wet alley near freshly plastered walls…
This accord I scribbled down, and when we got a second chance I showed it to our evaluation team and marketing and press team, they all said, “It’s bullshit, it’s not a perfume it’s an accord,” and I said, “So what? They’re not looking for a perfume if you ask me. I mean we had great fragrances but they said ‘no, it’s commercial’” so I convinced them to show him that, and when she came back she had like a banana [smile] on her face like “wow”.
— Perfumer Mark Buxton talks about developing Comme des Garcons Eau de Parfum (1994; the one that "works like a medicine and behaves like a drug"), and other things; read more at A Sensory Journey: Mark Buxton at Wonderland.
Comme des Garçons will launch Concrete, a new fragrance. Concrete is meant to contrast the harder “concrete” surface of the bottle, and the softer fragrance inside…
It’s one boy on a vacation, the beach, some landscapes, summer and skateboard and that’s it. It’s the best way to explain my perfume.1
That’s Russian fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy, who started his own brand around 2008, and is known for streetwear and skateware, and undoubtedly other things I am equally ignorant about. His eponymous fragrance, released last year in collaboration with Comme des Garçons, was inspired by skate and street culture in Moscow, a particular gap in my already scanty knowledge about things that are cool and hip and young. Perfumer Alexis Dadier found his own way in…
Comme des Garçons will launch the Olfactory Library in May, with reissues of 10 fragrances from the brand’s back catalog — Comme des Garçons Eau de Cologne; Series 1: Leaves, Calamus, Series 1: Leaves, Lily; Series 2: Red, Palisander; Series 2: Red, Sequoia; Series 6: Synthetic, Garage; Series 6: Synthetic, Soda; Series 6: Synthetic, Tar; Series 7: Sweet, Nomad Tea and Series 7: Sweet, Sticky Cake…