Dear Laurent,

My idea for a perfume is actually based on two other fragrances that I enjoy layering together, but alas, "something" is always missing from it. There is some sort of "lack" that I can't quite put my finger on. Layering Creed's Cuir de Russie with Czech & Speake's Frankincense & Myrrh is a combination that triggers in me an imagining of how wonderful an incense and leather scent would be. To wit, I love the dry (very dry) and almost woody nature of the Frankincense & Myrrh, and I like the ocean-like leather of Cuir de Russie.

Yet I wish for a scent that is fuller, curvier, and more strong-willed. Like, you know how when you hear a song on AM radio, and it's good, but you know you'd enjoy it so much more if you could hear the song in full-on surround sound stereo? I want to smell a perfume with an expanded bandwidth like that. I do not wish for it to be sweet or sentimental smelling - I wish for something that has strength and reserved power. I am unsure what else it would need to achieve that end. Perhaps in addition to the dark edginess of dry frankincense tears, myrrh tears, and saline softened leather, there could be ... Woody notes? Benzoin? Spice? I really don't know. And this is something I hope you, as a perfumer who is far, far wiser than I am, can understand and know how to approach.

The concept I keep coming back to for the name is via the word "auxetic." Auxetic materials, unlike most common materials that become thinner when stretched laterally, actually expand in cross-section when stretched. The effect is demonstrated very coolly here in this short video from Auxnet. The Greek root of "auxetic" is "Auxeos," meaning "that which can expand." My thinking is this - I like the idea that when we stretch ourselves, we too expand and grow. And I like the idea that with perfume, it has one type of smell, but it's upon application and wear that the smell grows and becomes bigger than when it remains unworn in the bottle or on a paper strip. Plus, I just like the sound of "Auxeos" when I roll it around in my mouth.

Thank you so much for agreeing to make this perfume dream come true for me! I cannot properly express how grateful and happy I am that you are creating it, so all I am left with is "thank you." I'm on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what you will come up with.

Yours in delighted anticipation,

Katie

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10 Comments

  • StickyKeys

    This sounds lovely, challenging, and fun. And I absolutely love the name. Can’t wait to see the progress!

  • Katie

    Oh goodie – I am glad the name is not off-putting. Hope you visit here often, of course 🙂

  • brooklyntbone

    Salty leather/iris and austere incense. Multidimensional expansion. You have my attention.

  • Marchlion

    OK, I am not pretending to wait patiently for this. I am ready for Laurent to whip that up, because it sounds like MY perfect fragrance. Have fun!

  • heather

    Very clever concept Katie – I can’t imagine this perfume – I love frankincense and myrrh – but am not a great fan of leathers generally. Such an exciting project – you are such a lucky lady

    Heather

  • Katie

    Brooklyntbone, hopefully you will find it interesting. Can’t wait to hear your impressions later on down the road.

    March, well, our tastes have run along pretty similar lines in the past, so I think you’re as close as I will ever get to a fragrance-twin. *fingers crossed* that you like the eventual outcome.

    Heather, you know it took me a while to figure out that I DO like leather. I just don’t think I tend to like the way it’s used in a ton of “women’s” perfumes. Well, except for Bandit, but that is such a raw open-wound of a floral-leather that I thnk it qualifies more as “masculine” in a way.

  • jenny

    You lucky girl, I can’t wait to smell the result.

  • perfumecritic

    I had no idea you were such a leather queen *smirk*…sounds wonderful; can’t wait to follow your progress!

    Marlen

  • Katie

    Thanks, Jenny.

    Yeah, that’s me – kitten with a whip 😉 Thanks, Marlen.

  • Gary Fred

    I love the name. Leather and Incense are going to really great together.Looking forward to seeing the label as well as smelling the jus.
    Gary

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