Basenotes › Directory › Fragrances › Ho Hang by Balenciaga, 1971

Ho Hang by Balenciaga, 1971

Ho Hang by Balenciaga, 1971
18 reviews
94% Positive Reviews
Rated #640 in Fragrances
Write a Review

Member Reviews

Posted
By Redbeard
I often call it Ho Hum. It's definitely in the running among the barbershop spicy fougere clan, but I'm torn between being bored to death by it, or simply struggling to smell the spot of it that I just splashed. It opens with the same anise and powder as Jockey Club, but it's way weaker, and I feel like I'm always waiting for something interesting to happen. Eventually it gets a bit sweeter, more of a spicy oriental, but it's subtle, and the change makes it more fussy and musty to me. It really smells like 1971 in a bad way. I agree that the exotic woods become a bit more noticeable after a while, but again the change is too small for me to notice half the time, or care. The one certain thing about Ho Hang is that if I put it on in the morning, I am guaranteed to forget that I even wore cologne at all that day, and to forget what it even smelled like. It's just too dull and weak to care about.
Post Comment
Was This Helpful?
Add a comment? (optional)
Cancel

Posted
By Darvant
A distinguished and delightful citrus-aromatic oriental, epic and exotic. My Dad'd generation comes to my mind, a pool of daring and willing professional men with an enormous love for the good life, the good work, the parties in the grand hotels, music and travels. Ho hang is measured and well balanced, is a fresh, aromatic oriental with any trace of excess or cloying olfactory perception. Cedarwood, citrus, basil, vanilla and tonka are the key elements. Lavender and rosewood are perfectly combined. The top notes are citrus, green and aromatic with their basil and good amount of lavender. In a while the transition towards the woody heart is accomplished. The geranium is perfectly inserted in order to be blended with citrus and aromatic elements with its restrained but perceivable touch of floral sweetness. The perfect combination of natural elements (floral, citrus, herbal, woody) is endly enveloped by a smooth bed, an oriental base featured by vanilla, labdan, benzoin and tonka with its touch of smoky masculinity. Ho hang, an old concept of left over distinction.
Post Comment
Was This Helpful?
Add a comment? (optional)
Cancel

Posted
By mrclmind
Ho Hang is a wonderful spicy oriental that is not commonly worn or even known about these days. It belongs to the same category of scents such as JHL, Pierre Cardin, Patou pour Homme and Ricci-CLub. Applied too heavily Ho Hang can be very cloying and overly sweet. Applied with a light hand it is a sublime oriental masterpiece. The opening is a lively fresh citrus accord consisting mostly of Lemon and Bergamot tempered with Orange, Lavender and Basil. The heart of Ho Hang is a floral and woody blend of Geranium, Cedar and Patchouli over a background of Carnation and Rosewood. The oriental base is rather sweet and somewhat powdery being mostly a Vanilla and Amber accord overlying some textures of Tonka, Musk, Benzoin and Labdanum. This is a rich and floral, spicy oriental that hearkens back to the early '70s when mens fragrances were much richer and more textured. It doesn't smell too retro for its own good however; applied contentiously it is a surprisingly relevant scent for today.
Post Comment
Was This Helpful?
Add a comment? (optional)
Cancel

Posted
By TropiRock
"Ho Hang" -- interesting name for an interesting spicy oriental. Like others have expressed, this cologne is a pleasant surprise. It is perhaps a little dated now and I don't think the younger generation would relate so well to its "old school" nature. But for my "old school" nose, Ho Hang offers a pleasing sophistication and distinction. Sillage and longevity are both excellent. Careful, though, not to overdo or Ho Hang could easily become cloying.
Post Comment
Was This Helpful?
Add a comment? (optional)
Cancel

Posted
By JonB
Wow, very nice. It is hard to believe this came out of the '70s. This is a woody oriental, but not a heavy one. There are citrus topnotes and other aromatics blended in perfectly to make this a nice "aromatic oriental" There is no syrupy sweetness, just the right sweetness to make this likeable by most.

This would be a great "anytime" scent, and definitely fine for the office. Power and sillage are moderate. Longevity is good.

OK, maybe no one will rate this a 10/10, but it's just so nice to find a fragrance that smells so nice, and is seemingly so versatile. A big thumbs up from me.
Post Comment
Was This Helpful?
Add a comment? (optional)
Cancel

Posted
By jenson
It will get that, hmm, i have smelled this accord a thousand times by now accord. has a very lively, lemony, spicy/herbal accord (think PDN NY, Eau Suavage). Lemon and hints of orange come of pretty easily. but it doesnt turn orangy, the mood is still very lemony with a woody accord of spices and flroals. i mainly smell geranium with a woody twist. basenotes gets a bitter sweeter and powdery with vanilla and incense. overall, if you appreciate scents like R de Capucci, PDN New York et al, thn this will find home with you almost immediately.
Post Comment
Was This Helpful?
Add a comment? (optional)
Cancel

Posted
By Swanky
Don't let the strange name fool you - this is a classy, masculine scent in the Equipage tradition (this came out around the same time and may have been influenced by Hermes' classic). If you are into old school men's fragrances this should be on your to-do list. This one starts out with an orange blossom and wood accord. Once the tonka/vanilla kicks in the whole thing attains a slightly smoky leather vibe, smooth and creamy. Sillage is not great but longevity is decent. The bottle is a classic as well, similar to Moustache's. You'd do well to pick up either this or Equipage to round out your collection. Ho Hang is suitable for the office or the steakhouse and you won't have every other dude on the subway stealing your thunder.
Post Comment
Was This Helpful?
Add a comment? (optional)
Cancel

Posted
By Somerville Metro Man
Balenciaga Ho Hang

Balenciaga would not be one of the first Houses that would spring to mind when asking a perfumista or colognoisseur to start naming Houses. That's a shame because Belenciaga as a House has put out some pretty bold and different scents which are still available at a reasonable price. On the women's side that includes Cristobal, Talisman, and Rumba. Sadly on the men's side there are only two scents left, Cristobal pour Homme and Ho Hang. Ho Hang was created in 1971 and for a scent created in the early 70's it manages to have that spicy oriental vibe of the time without feeling dated in the 21st century. Ho Hang starts off with the traditional mix of citrus and bergamot and while it is nothing new it is well-balanced and performs its function as the gatekeeper to lead you into the heart of this scent. The heart is a magnificent mix of rosewood and lavender. These two notes blend together to create a warm floral heart that is at turns sweet and dry, on me. The base starts with the clean lines of cedar and soon pairs it up with the green of vetiver which tempers the sweetness of the heart quite nicely. Ho Hang definitely hangs around on my skin for a long time and it definitely has some projection but not to the level of some of the big powerhouses from the 70's and 80's. If you're looking for a spicy Oriental that doesn't overwhelm give Ho Hang a try it just might introduce you to a new House.
Show more
Post Comment
Was This Helpful?
Add a comment? (optional)
Cancel

Posted
By JaimeB
A spicy aromatic fougère scent from the early 70s. Fresh and spicy top notes lead to a heart of woods and florals, with a base of amber, resins, musk, coumarin, and vanilla. Great sillage right off and then gets quieter; longevity varies depending on temperature. An appealing scent: fresh, energizing, suave, not overwhelming.
Post Comment
Was This Helpful?
Add a comment? (optional)
Cancel
See All 18 Reviews
Edit Cancel Save Changes History

Facts and Details

Ho Hang by Balenciaga, 1971
By:
Description:

Details:
DetailValue
Top Notesorange, lavender, basil, lemon
Middle Notesgeranium, rosewood, patchouli, cedarwood
Base Notesvanilla, tonka bean, benzoin, labdanum
Launched Date1971
GenderMen
AvailabilityDiscontinued
ByBalenciaga
Bottle DesignerAteliers Dinand
Perfumer
Models:
Model Name/TypeMPNEAN/UPC
Links:
Edit Cancel Save Changes History

Guide: Ho Hang by Balenciaga, 1971

Start a guide on Ho Hang by Balenciaga, 1971!
Basenotes › Directory › Fragrances › Ho Hang by Balenciaga, 1971