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Varvatos Artisan Black to be released in upcoming months...

post #1 of 32
1/31/10 at 8:02am
Thread Starter 
I was walking through the fragrance section of one of the department stores in downtown Toronto the other day. As I passed the John Varvatos counter, a small atomizer caught my eye, and for some reason I decided to enquire about it. The SA told me that is the unreleased Artisan Black by John Varvatos. He didn't know the actual release date but showed me pictures of the bottle to be released. Same style and shape as the original Artisan, but all black, which made it look very interesting. The scent itself is very pleasant as I got a whiff from the small decant. Definite similarity to the orignal, but obviously deeper, richer. Perhaps an oriental version of it. I really liked it, but I also really loved the orignal on first whiff, but then became easily tired of it after buying it on impulse. Has anyone else encounterd Artisan Black? Impressions?
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post #2 of 32
1/31/10 at 5:56pm
Thanks for the info.....The JV scents smell good, they just don't keep my attention.....This might be one that does.....we'll see.....Thanks again.
Gary
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post #3 of 32
1/31/10 at 6:05pm
I'm definitely in the minority; however Artisan went well with my body chemistry. On my friend, it went flat and smelled like dish detergent or something. I lucked out, got his bottle, still loving it.

This intrigues me - I just hope they worked out the longevity.
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post #4 of 32
3/9/10 at 4:12pm
Def curious about this one. I've been very close to buying artisan and the original jv.
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post #5 of 32
3/9/10 at 5:40pm
You...have....got...to...be....kidding me! Come on people! This flanker BS is getting ridiculous. Artisan Black!? The first fragrance was marketed as, and smelled the polar opposite of anything black, it was bright and upbeat. This just PROVES (as if we didn't already know) that it's all about the money, what other reason to slap "Black" onto a fragrance that was as far away from dark as you can get?
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post #6 of 32
3/9/10 at 6:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mtgprox05 View Post

You...have....got...to...be....kidding me! Come on people! This flanker BS is getting ridiculous. Artisan Black!? The first fragrance was marketed as, and smelled the polar opposite of anything black, it was bright and upbeat. This just PROVES (as if we didn't already know) that it's all about the money, what other reason to slap "Black" onto a fragrance that was as far away from dark as you can get?

I haven't smelled any designer fragrance called 'black' that actually reminded me of anything dark, deep or black. Except maybe Bulgari Black. Your Polo black and double black are boring, fruity affairs which are pretty much what Varvatos, Vintage and Artisan are already. What more could they do to Varvatos fragrances to make them 'black'? They're already black as defined by the designer fragrance world.
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post #7 of 32
3/9/10 at 7:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PorkFat View Post

I haven't smelled any designer fragrance called 'black' that actually reminded me of anything dark, deep or black.

Ever tried Mazzolari Lui ?
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post #8 of 32
3/9/10 at 7:29pm
Thread Starter 
Although I can't say this smells like a very 'dark' scent, it really is a very nice take on the original, and I find it much more interesting. I can't wait for its release.
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post #9 of 32
3/9/10 at 7:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoGent View Post

Ever tried Mazzolari Lui ?

But that's niche and it's not called 'black' so I'm not sure how that fits?
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post #10 of 32
3/9/10 at 7:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PorkFat View Post

What more could they do to Varvatos fragrances to make them 'black'

Well they'll take the wicker that encases the Artisan bottle and dye it black, they'll be sure the box is black, and they'll add a bit of anise to the juice and, VoilÃ*!, it is now OFFICIALLY "Black."
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post #11 of 32
3/9/10 at 7:56pm
you can get it online.
as well as gucci by gucci sport
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post #12 of 32
3/9/10 at 9:52pm
I've wanted to like a Varvatos fragrance but none of them have struck me as significant. I don't expect a flanker of a flanker to be the one that does it.
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post #13 of 32
3/9/10 at 10:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluesoul View Post

I've wanted to like a Varvatos fragrance but none of them have struck me as significant. I don't expect a flanker of a flanker to be the one that does it.

My thoughts exactly. I will try it, but am not expecting much based on the rest of the line.
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post #14 of 32
3/13/10 at 7:58am
Thread Starter 
Where online can Artisan Black be found????
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post #15 of 32
3/13/10 at 8:18am
It can be found here for $78.00

http://www.johnvarvatosfragrance.com...n%20black.aspx
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post #16 of 32
3/13/10 at 8:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PorkFat View Post

I haven't smelled any designer fragrance called 'black' that actually reminded me of anything dark, deep or black.

encre noire...
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post #17 of 32
3/13/10 at 12:54pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluesoul View Post

I've wanted to like a Varvatos fragrance but none of them have struck me as significant. I don't expect a flanker of a flanker to be the one that does it.

Well, to be fair Artisan was released five years after the original John Varvatos and I don't think was meant to be a spinoff of the original scent at all, so technically this is simply a "flanker" and not a "flanker of a flanker." I think Artisan is distinct enough to stand on its own apart from the other Varvatos offerings. I do get what you're saying though.

I understand the cynicism over the whole "black" business - it is definitely an overused and almost never appropriate name meant to lend a "mysterious" aura that the scent itself does not actually possess. However, I am a pretty big fan of the original JV so I think this one will warrant a sniff the next time I'm at Macy's.
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post #18 of 32
3/13/10 at 3:06pm
There aren't many notes in perfumery that elicit thoughts of black, if we can give synesthesia a ride here. Wormwood, anise, and real vetiver are all quite pungent and black-ish (of course green also seems a reasonable association), they're also largely unpalatable unless expertly handled and for the most part mainstream fragrance has little desire for, say, a wormwood-dominant frag. So we get stuff like Polo Black and Double Black, not bashing PDB on it's scent merits but I think the name is a bit suspect.
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post #19 of 32
3/13/10 at 3:46pm
I don't think Artisan is, or should be, considered a flanker. It has nothing to do with the original scent, nor did Vintage. Totally different scents that shared a common bottle style. Rock Vol. 1 is a flanker.
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post #20 of 32
3/13/10 at 3:51pm
I agree with petruccijc
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post #21 of 32
3/13/10 at 7:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bossanova_boy View Post

Well they'll take the wicker that encases the Artisan bottle and dye it black, they'll be sure the box is black, and they'll add a bit of anise to the juice and, VoilÃ*!, it is now OFFICIALLY "Black."

Hah, me like
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post #22 of 32
3/20/10 at 6:41pm
Has anyone gotten to try this yet?
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post #23 of 32
3/20/10 at 6:45pm
It was at Saks. I got it because I like previous Varvatos release, and I had a gift certificate. It is a nice citrus scent. Again, nothing groundbreaking. Not sure what is so "black" about it. Hope more people sniff this so they can explain it to me
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post #24 of 32
3/21/10 at 9:22am
From The Scented Salamander:

"According to WWD, the scent has "top notes of tangerine, Meyer lemon, Italian blood orange and Givaudan's captive calypsone. The heart of the scent features Murraya flower, Tunisian neroli, Moroccan orange flower templar, Indian sambac absolute, Nigerian ginger, purple ginger, cardamom absolute and coriander seeds. And, in the base of the scent are notes of Kephalis, Belambre, Boisiris, Serenolide, Vetyvert CO2 extract, patchouli Singapore Orpur, Mexican cueramo, soft leather and Florentine orris absolute."

Looks like it's only available in a 4.2 oz for now, and will be a limited edition. Currently a Saks exclusive as mentioned earlier, but will be in wider distribution by April 1st. Anyway, I love the original Artisan - it's my standard work scent. Hopefully this one is good too!
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post #25 of 32
3/27/10 at 5:48pm
I thought Artisan was one of the worst releases in the past few years. I would rank Artisan Black right up there with the original. Nasty.....
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post #26 of 32
3/27/10 at 8:50pm
I just picked this up at Nordstroms in Walnut Creek today after trying it in SF at the Varvatos store. Love it! A really awesome citrus scent that seems like it would go well in all weather.
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post #27 of 32
3/28/10 at 8:10am
i've always dug Varvatos scents.....Vintage is still one of the only 'mainstream' fragrances that really does it for me. I never bought the Artisian, because i thought Porsche Design Essence did the same sort of citrus journey, only much better....but i'm definitely interested in the Artisian Black!
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post #28 of 32
3/31/10 at 5:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jabel View Post

I just picked this up at Nordstroms in Walnut Creek today after trying it in SF at the Varvatos store. Love it! A really awesome citrus scent that seems like it would go well in all weather.

I had them make me a spray sample from my local Nordstroms last night. It smelt great on the tester strip I thought. It opens with a darker citrus, almost like that of Jo Malones Fig & Cassis Cologne, it's sharp but not bright. 5 minutes later it's already mellowed down to it's dark green and floral heart notes.

Anyway, I'm wearing it at work this morning and I sprayed it on 35 minutes ago. It is super clean and transparent to my nose, almost more so than Bulgari Pour Homme. It might just be a scent the wearer can't perceive after a while or it might have a similar longevity problem like Artisan.
Yo Jabel, what is your experience so far?
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post #29 of 32
3/31/10 at 11:40am
I wore it yesterday and it was just like you described. After about an hour it was very mellow but still vaguely present to my nose. It was mid 60's yesterday so I think in warmer weather it will be a real winner.
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post #30 of 32
4/2/10 at 8:04am
I picked up a sample of Artisan Black at Nordstrom and wore it yesterday for the first time. I liked the original Artisan, except for its problem with longevity. The initial blast upon application is very citrusy, but within minutes the fragrance begins to mellow out. Oddly enough, about 15 minutes after application, I was detected something much more earthy than the original, almost reminiscent of Terre d'Hermes (which I adore). This, too, evolved into something more woodsy and citrusy yet very energizing and pleasant.

I am happy to say the longevity issue of the original Artisan release has been resolved -- 2 squirts and 9 hours later, it was still detectable and crisp/clean while earthy. Not sure "earthy" equates to "black" -- the additional neroli, ginger and vetyvert notes are definitely present, but I'm not sure I'd call this "black". In any case, I went back to Nordstrom's last night and bought a bottle, which I have to say looks stunning on the dresser next to the original Artisan!
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post #31 of 32
4/18/10 at 9:50pm
I just sampled this at Sephora in Chicago... total dish detergent on me!
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post #32 of 32
4/19/10 at 8:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by the_tourist View Post

I just sampled this at Sephora in Chicago... total dish detergent on me!

What would Madge from the Palmolive ads say about this fragrance?
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