Ambrosial Aromas
We admit we’re nosy — in more ways than one.
While we love street style pictorials of our fair city, it’s the scents worn by Angelenos that often intrigue us more. So this summer, each of us at Style Section L.A. documented on our BlackBerries or iPhones whenever a fragrance caught our olfactoral attention. (Click here for our first installment from last week.)
To our particular delight, local men everywhere from The Little Next Door to Gjelina are wearing something a little more intoxicating these days than Old Spice body wash. We love the commercials; but you gotta step it up if you’re going to impress us. Here’s our latest report.
Date: August 24, 2010
Place: In line for Brazilian BBQ at the Farmers Market
Scent: A.P.C. Sustain
Normally when we’re in line at Pampas Grill, top sirloin and fried yucca are the only aromas to be found (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But on Tuesday, while waiting in the ever-interminable line, we met Cassie, who was wearing just the right amount of APC’s fragrance, Sustain. She said she originally tried to score it last fall at the brand’s off-Melrose store to no avail, so she found it online instead.
A.P.C. creative director Jean Touitou tapped local perfumer Haley Alexander Van Oosten for the signature scent, which has the exquisite touch of rose petal. However, this perfume has thus far put us at a loss for where to find. Sustain is limited-edition and was once sold at A.P.C.’s New York location, as well as Colette in Paris. If you find it anywhere, please email us and we’ll happily send you an A.P.C. candle (wick yet unlit).
Date: July 10, 2010
Place: Annual International Bird Rescue Research Fundraiser, Country Club Park
Scent: Mandarina Duck Pure Black
This sturdy, black bottle of cologne was in the silent auction its package opened by a prospective bidder. So of course we also had to smell for ourselves. Sweet and sexy sums it up, with Indian pepper and Mediterranean tangerine, according to the brand description. The guy who won it was already popular among gay bachelors working the crowd beforehand, though we’re guessing he walked away with a few more phone numbers as a result.
Madarina Duck Pure Black ($65 for 3.4 oz) available at fragrance.net
Date: Aug. 21, 2010
Place: Birthday party, Sherman Oaks
Scent: Prada Infusion d’Iris Eau de Parfum
This was perhaps the most beguiling scent that we tracked down this summer. And to find it in Sherman Oaks? Equally odd.
Infusion d’Iris is not a come-hither scent. Somehow strangely unisex, but not in a saccharine, CK1 sort of way. We wouldn’t have known it existed had the woman we were chatting up about her Dixie Canyon neighbors not told us she was wearing it. As far as the scent goes, either you’ll love it or won’t have the time of day for it. But seek it out the next time you’re at the perfume counter.
Prada Infusion d’Iris Eau de Parfum (purse spray is $74) available at Neiman Marcus
Date: Aug. 1, 2010
Place: The Little Next Door on West Third Street
Scent: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme
Heavy, woodsy Dad colognes can ruin any light dinner. Particularly at The Little Door — which we’ve experienced. Thankfully The Little Next Door is attracting a couth, young crowd these days. Jim, a summer intern for a Hollywood studio (he wouldn’t say which one, this man-of-mystery-for-no-reason) wore Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, the cologne that always makes us wish we were sunning on the Amalfi coast, perhaps in a white speedo.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme ($57 for 2.5 oz.) available at Sephora