Monsieur Carven (1978)
by Carven

In Paris, back in the early 80's, in many perfume stores I was told that the latest Carven fragrances were very synthetic. I really have no actual proof of that. However, Monsieur Carven is one of the most deceptive men fragrances I have ever bought. At first, the vanilla, carnation and cinnamon notes reminded me of the candies we used to eat around Christmas when I was a child. I bought a bottle on the spot! I was expecting a warm, sweet and spicy comfort fragrance I could wear on cold winter days. What a disappointment! I expected a powdery yet spicy dry-down. Unfortunately, Monsieur Carven was hard and dry on my skin. Two of my friends tried it with wonderful results. For that reason, I shall restrain from giving it a thumbs down.

28th November, 2011.

A nice little seventies period piece. Initially aldehydic, powdery and lightly sweet - it develops into a dark and brooding compound.The vetiver note arrives early, and underscores many of the more noteworthy accords.

It seems to me to be one of the great all-rounders, seemingly appropriate for any occasion and straddling the line of formality and informality.

6th April, 2011.

Civet, to some, it's not fun but here it's so nice that it's pleasing. The combination of moss and the civet almost gives this a powdery soap feel. The clean gentleman's fragrance of yesteryear. Lasts long and the top (aromtic spicy) to the bottom drydown (mossy civet) is very addicting. Very complex scent but the basics I described is my take on it. I don't get much of the florals. It's the overall effect that really makes this wonderful.

17th October, 2009.

An uncommonly intoxicating and sexy scent. I seldom use the word sexy to describe a scent but Monsieur Carven thoroughly deserves the title. The combination of civet (which is obvious from the top note to the end) and mossy leather creates a most unusual and timeless scent that still commands great respect and can stand tall among the greatest men's perfume today.

28th April, 2009.

The opening of Monsieur Carven is rather typical of its vintage: aldehydes, lavender, and greens. I like it very much, but frankly, it’s not as interesting as many of the same type of fragrances created later in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. The Monsieur begins to show its superiority with the jasmine and civet that, in the opening are background notes, but they soon become the core of the fragrance. After the aldehydes and greens wear off, the jasmine takes over and pretty much dominates the fragrance, while the civet floats in and out with its unique sensuousness. The result is something I hardly ever experience in the more modern designer fragrances: A animalically sensual, deep, dark, complex creation. And Monsieur Carven contains sensuousness and depth in excess. The dry down is super smooth with its leather, moss, and vanilla, and exhibits very good longevity. Monsieur Carven is an excellently constructed dark fragrance with more than its share of animalism because of its use of civet. It’s great!

23rd October, 2007.

Gradevole fragranza floreale e cipriata allo stesso qual tempo.

Ha avuto un certo successo alla fine degli anni '70 ed i primi anni '80, per poi (almeno in Italia) sparire inesorabilmente, lasciandoci solo il bel ricordo...

Aveva una ricca linea che comprendeva: after shave, saponetta, doccia-gel, schiuma e crema per barba, deodoranti, oltre che il noto edt in spray ed in stillagocce.

Markus74 (Italy)

6th October, 2005.