Christian Dior – Cuir Cannage

source: mimifroufrou.com

If Knize Ten were a leather-clad biker rocking a Harley-Davidson, and if Jolie Madame were a cigarette-wielding bad ass Mama-san dressed in a violet cheongsam, then Cuir Cannage has to be a smartly-dressed, high-ranking executive striding confidently into the office while carrying a leather briefcase/handbag.

Diehard fans of leather who whine about suede not being leather will have nothing to complain about, nor will those who like their leather to come without too many floral or animalic embellishments. Despite the somewhat medicinal opening, Cuir Cannage does its job of being a smooth and elegant leather, and does it well. The light sprinkling and dusting of powder throughout the composition keeps it restrained and serves as a reminder that Cuir Cannage isn’t about delivering knock-out, migraine-inducing punches in the manner of LM Parfums’ Hard Leather, but seeks rather to be the definition of refinement. And just when one is left wondering if the person wearing the suit has a pulse, a tiny (very tiny!) trace of birch makes its presence known, a reminder that it is still very much human at its heart.

I could see Harvey Specter from Suits wearing Cuir Cannage.

Ultimately, Cuir Cannage is ‘safe’, but in a good way. It’s very nice, very nice indeed.

~ The Smelly Vagabond

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Vintage Love: Christian Dior – Miss Dior (Houndstooth)

© The Smelly Vagabond

It seems that my patience on eBay has netted me yet another vintage treasure, for the grand prize of £4.29. That’s cheaper than having takeaway chinese food!

Oriza L. Legrand – Muguet Fleuri

source: fragrantica.com

Muguet Fleuri is Oriza L. Legrand‘s latest offering, released just in time for 1 May, a day called La Fête du Muguet when the good folk over in France give one another muguet (or lily-of-the-valley) to wish one another happiness for the spring season. I’m a fan of the brand, having paid it a visit when I was holidaying in Paris last December, on Kafkaesque’s recommendation of Chypre Mousse. I don’t give compliments freely, but it suffices to say that I bought Chypre Mousse the very same day that I smelt it, a mere 4 hours after I first smelt it. To me, it’s a minty matcha latte, and it is unique on the market, which is rare of many fragrances nowadays. I have yet to write a full review of it, because honestly, I find it difficult to capture its beauty in words, being the metamorphic creature that it is. One day, the words will click, and I’ll pen something down. For now, though, allow me to share my thoughts on Muguet Fleuri, which somehow seems to be easier to talk about!

© The Smelly Vagabond
The very dapper and friendly Hugo of Oriza L. Legrand

Perfume Haiku Series: Dior Homme by Christian Dior

Dior Homme by Christian Dior

The refined dandy
Wears an iris boutonnière
Everywhere he goes

~ The Smelly Vagabond

Perfume Review: Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet & Donna Karan Pure DKNY

So… I haven’t written a long review in quite some time, but that’s about to change with this post. And guess what we’ll be having two fragrances reviewed at the same time. Now, if I had my way, I wouldn’t be writing about either of them. But my housemate, Miss B, very excitably requested that I review her perfumes, as she wanted a second opinion about them. Now Miss B seldom wears perfume, and she’s the sort who likes it sheer, floral and mildly sweet. If anything, she’s the sort of person whom you would expect to be perfumed by Dior’s J’Adore. Miss B doesn’t buy any of her perfumes; the perfumes she owns so far have been gifts from friends and family – but perhaps one day that will change, and hopefully I get to play some part in her olfactory journey. Without further ado, I present today’s contenders…