Comme Des Garçons 2 by Comme des Garçons, 1999

This interesting transparent renowned fragrance is a sort of subtle mix of the most interesting facets exuded by some known fragrances around some of which are for instance Black Angel Buxton, Black Aoud Montale, Declaration Cartier, Magnolia Nobile Acqua di Parma, some Costume National (Scent and Pour Homme) and Battistoni Marte Arte. The aromatic/floral/dusty refinement owns texture and lasting power for me. I detect the aldehydes for sure side by side with some inebrious spices (cumin, saffron may be). The beginning is aromatic/haldehydic and slightly herbal with its combination of juniper berries, angelica , aldehydes, orangy juice, bkackcurrant and cumin. The opening is bright, crisp/botanic, citrusy, a bit rooty and with a sort of metallic edge, the latter soon partially fading in the way to the middle transition towards a barely floral heart exuding a sort of violet/muguet/ neroli (almost peachy) kind of vibe (probably aroused by the combination of magnolia and other elements). The more the development procedes towards the end the more the smell projects out several feminine facets and i detect a sort of rose/jasmine orangy feel over a labdanum/patchouli, vetiver structure and a slightly powdery amber/cedarwood base with musky accents. Some incense is inserted somewhere in the blend on the side of resinous elements but i detect it more in the course of the run than after the crossed bourne. A respectful fragrance for the lovers of the genre which starts decidedly masculine and finally winks to the womanly side.

CdG 2 has been called abstract. Its been called a transparent rose, but the read I get, as others have mentioned, is the ink. Combining what seems like aldehydes, and mandarin or orange with something floral that I cant get my nose around creates a shadowy smell that resembles ink. I associate the smell of ink with a blunt sweetness. That same feel is the first smell of dDG 2. The start is expansive, likely an aldehydic effect, but the heart hangs quite a bit closer to the skin and feels actually a bit richer. A muffled herbal quality, almost like juniper, makes the scent feel cool, a facet of CDG 2 that I love. We talk about fragrances getting warmer or becoming skin scents. CdG2 refuses to succumb to the warmth. Its not that it wears you, but it feels like an exotic substance that you carry out to the world on your wrists. The incense, woods and some dry amber remind me in feel, but not in scent, of Andy Tauers lAir du Désert Marocain. Both emphasize an amber, that doesnt go the classic oriental route of warm, creaminess. CdG 2s drydown has a clipped, slightly tarry incense quality and feels like smoke through cool air and iced black tea. As a perfume note, ink could be marketed as masculine or feminine and CDG 2 Woman and CDG 2 Man, by conventional fragrance standards each read as fully unisex. Do you suppose they flipped a coin to decide which to call Woman and which Man?