Perfume Review: French Lover by Frederic Malle
Let me start by saying I really love the Frederic Malle line of fragrances: the brilliant concept, the genius perfumers, the understated packaging, and, of course, the scents themselves. Vetiver Extraordinaire, Noir Epices, Lipstick Rose, Une Fleur de Cassie, even Carnal Flower are very fitting, tastefully chosen names that I’ve never questioned or paid much attention to. Along comes French Lover, and, before I get a chance to smell the juice, I’m slightly flustered. The only vivid example I can liken the emotion to is the memory of finding out a new boy is about to join our class in middle school. He’s not local, comes from a solid family and has traveled the world. We hear he’s tall, dark-haired, and very, very smart (and speaks English!). All the girls are a-twitter, and what we really want to know is whether he’s good-looking (well, he’s gotta be because we won’t have it any other way). The news of French Lover affected me in a similar fashion. Even now, after the initial sniff test, I feel like I have to say something demure and flirty, blush a few times, and casually drop a handkerchief (neatly embroidered by my great grand-mother). But, just as the case was with the new boy (who was, by the way, smashingly handsome), I never acted demure and flirty or dropped a handkerchief (although I did blush many a times), simply because I pathetically lack a single bone in my body that could possibly warrant such behavior. Nevertheless, the boy was my secret crush, and so is French Lover. Except it’s not quite secret – I proclaim my love right here and right now.
That said, I still feel like I don’t really know how to act around French Lover. He’s ever so smashing! His voice is husky, his shoulders are broad, his demeanor is as virile as can be, and his shoes are always polished. Apparently, Pierre Bourdon (the perfumer) and Frederic Malle aspired to create the ultimate man fragrance – modern and refined. They’ve succeeded. French Lover is what I’d call dry chypre very much in the classic tradition, yet with certain contemporary twists and turns. It’s built around angelica (an aromatic, medicinal herb) and woods (mostly, cedar). It’s decidedly full-bodied – a hearty mix of pimento, cedar, vetiver, and incense. As I said earlier, I get rather bashful and nervous around it, yet I’m filled with the urge to wear French Lover. When I do, I happily forget about all things ladylike and courtly – I’m a woman with power and am not afraid to use it.
French Lover will appeal to you if you favor such scents as Derby by Guerlain, Querelle by Parfumerie Generale, Navegar by L’Artisan Parfumeur, Incensi by Lorenzo Villoresi, Antaeus by Chanel, and even Miss Dior by Christian Dior.
French Lover features the notes of angelica, pimento, galbanum, iris, bay rum, clove, cardamom, juniper, cedar, oakmoss, frankincense, patchouli, vetiver. It’s said to be sold in the U.S. under the name of Bois d’Orage. Hrmph. Well, you know, he’s a spy, so you gotta do what you gotta do. Meanwhile, he’s still in France, at the Editions de Parfums online shop.
Image source: editionsdeparfums.com
17 comments May 17th, 2007