Esxence 2016: PROJECT RENEGADE (Geza Schoen, Bertrand Duchaufour & Mark Buxton) Fragrance Reviews + The Dream Team Draw

bertrand duchaufour michelyn camen geza schoen mark buxton

Bertrand Duchaufour, Michelyn Camen, Geza Schoen and Mark Buxton at Esxence 2016 (Photo Darryl DO for ÇaFleureBon)

The theme of the eight edition of Esxence the Scent of Excellence, the worldwide exhibition for artistic perfumery held in Milan this past March was Endless imagination and creativity.  I had the opportunity to reunite with three of my favorite independent perfumers who embody the show's theme.

geza schoen renegade perfumes

Geza at Esxence (Photo Darryl DO for ÇaFleureBon)

From Berlin,  Geza Schoen is well known for his own brands Escentric Molecules, A Beautiful Mind Series, Kinski and Wode Boudicca and has collaborated with Ormonde Jayne, Clive Christian and more.  In 2006, Geza  overdosed  65% of the synthetic molecule Iso E Super to create the first “anti-perfume",  the CaFleureBon  Modern Masterpiece Escentric 01 (neo-synthetics are currently en vogue 10 years later).  GAMECHANGER

Mark Buxton was born in Derby England and in addition to his eponymous line Mark Buxton, has quite a portfolio including including the CaFleureBon Modern Masterpiece CDG 2 Men for Comme des Garcons, Chopard, Linari, Ferre, Kapsule for Karl Lagerfeld,  Givenchy, Burberry, Jil Sander to name a few. GAMECHANGER

Bertrand Duchaufour  grew up in Nancy, France is one of the most prolific and talented perfumers of the last 15 years and is best known for L’Artisan Parfumeur, Penhaligon’s,  as well as for his work for Eau d’Italie, Neela Vermeire Creations, Comme des Garcons, Amouage and The Different Company.  I believe that this is M. Duchaufour’s first fragrance under his own signature. GAMECHANGER 

All three are classically trained perfumers that broke free of the corporate world and have gone on to huge success. They are very different in style.  Knowing each of them, they are different in personality as well, but they have one thing in common… maybe they are just a bit “crazy”, in the best possible way. With Project Renegades, Geza, Mark and Bertrand have created three fragrances outside of the ordinary perfume box. I wish I had been there to hear the wild imaginings and conversations when they had the idea of Project Renegades, with the tripped out packaging, strange cowboy avatars (that double as kitchen magnets).

 Contributor Sebastian Jara of the YouTube Channel Looking Feeling Smelling Great, and founder of a popular Facebook Group reviews each "perfumer gone rogue" fragrance in  this video. They may be renegades, and the fragrances out of the box, but each are incredibly wearable. –Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Project Renegades Geza Schoen, Bertrand Duchaufour & Mark Buxton Review

Reviews of Geza Schoen, Bertrand Duchaufour and Mark Buxton Project Renegade Perfumes

PROJECT-RENEGADES geza schoen bertrand duchaufour and  mark buxton cafleurebon

Geza, Bertrand and Mark mask magnets (those are snakes coming out of Bertrand's ears)

Thanks to the The Renegades we have a reader’s choice of Geza Schoen, Bertrand Duchaufour, or Mark Buxton for a registered CafleureBon reader and Looking Feeling Smelling Great subscriber anywhere in the world (if you are not sure if you are registered click here (you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid. To be eligible please leave a  detailed comment ON THIS SITE with what you enjoyed about Sebastian’s YouTube review (you never know who might be reading it)  which Renegade you would like to win,  and where you live. If you have a favorite fragrance by Geza Schoen, Mark Buxton and Bertrand Duchaufour, we would love to know.  Draw closes May 22, 2016. You can follow us @cafleurebon @lookfeelsmellgreat on Instagram.

The line is not currently available until the end of the May/June and will be $190/100 ml

 We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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59 comments

  • ron payne says:

    I love the video review–Mr. Jara makes it difficult to choose. But I love M. Duchaufour’s creations and pedigree; that would be my choice. I live in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

  • As a long time fan of Sebastian’s videos, I enjoyed the review of these three incredible release so very much! 3 undoubtedly talented, unique, somewhat risk-taking perfumers express their true feeling without too much of restriction: Absolutely amazing project! Although all three sounds absolutely stunning, if I were to choose only one, I would have to pick Mr. Geza Schoen’s creation. His beyond out of the box style, which shows greatly within his Escentric Molecules line as well as the expressive yet well tamed Intelligence & Fantasy from The Beautiful Mind Series line makes me feel extremely curious about his creation this time which Sebastian descried it as “Pink pepper bomb but with sweet fruitiness – spicy, almost like horseradish or very spicy wasabi with fruity sweet balance”. I live in San Francisco, CA, USA. 🙂

  • Thanks for the good review! All of these sounded tempting. I adore peppery fragrances, especially with citrus freshness and Renegades by Geza Schoen would be my choice. My favorite Bertrand Duchaufour’s fragrance is Cuir de Nacre.
    I live in the U.S.

  • Validimus says:

    I love how Sebastian describes the scents and how they feel to him.
    Geza’s creation sound most appealing to me. I’d love to smell a fragrance that smells/feels like horseradish, being spicy yet fruity.
    I’m from the Netherlands btw.

  • Thx for the nice giveaways,
    Sebastian, you r amazing keep it up my friend, his videos and reviews is always fun, entertaining, light and has good info.
    Sebastian with this review intrigued me to try the Geza Schoen one so I woupd love to try it,
    1st address: Houston, TX, USA.
    2nd address: Baghdad, IRAQ.

  • Kinetisphere says:

    Sebastian is at the forefront of this fragrance community. He is very informative and in the know on the exclusive fragrances most people have not even heard of. From the 3 in the video he mentioned i am quite interested in the mark buxton creation. His description of it creates an image of subtle classy and elegant.

    As for being familiar with the 3 perfumers i really have minimal experience. I’m just familiar with molecule by geza.

    I am in sunny Florida, 🙂

  • The_Drake says:

    Great review as alaways, Sebastian! Love the concept behind these scents. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to win a bottle! Out of the three bottle, Geza Schoen would be my first pick.

    Norway here.

  • Sebastian’s review was excellent! This concept of Renegades is unique and I love throwing all the rules out of the window. I was most familiar with Bertrand Duchaufour’s work and some of my favorites are Amouage Jubilation XXV, Timbuktu, Dzongkha, and Traversee du Bosphore. I would love to try Geza Schoen’s if I win. I live in the US and thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • Sergio Cardona says:

    Another great video Sebastian!!. Addressing the modern perfumery and contributing to the enrichment of our learning in this beautiful world of fragrances. Of the tree perfumers cited recently experienced a sexual sample heeling Mark Buxton, but the tree creators are great, so I imagine they must have this neat new proposal!!

  • fazalcheema says:

    I am intrigued as Sebastian mentions the three artists basically discarded all rules in creating these fragrances and totally let themselves get loose in terms of creativity. My choice would be Renegades by Geza Schoen as it is both spicy and sweet and quite versatile. Thanks a lot for the generous draw. I am in the US

  • peluzin78 says:

    I would love to try all of them but if I have to choose one first. I will go with Geza Schoen.
    As always. Excellent review from Sebastian.

  • Andrew Siquieros says:

    Wow what awesome bottles love the theme…ive tried a few mark buxtons collection and a few bertrand duchafor fragrances.. i would pick geza schoen fragrance it really sounds awesome…please i hope i get picked..need a winner from ARIZONA

  • Black Angel, Molecule O1 and Jardin du Poete are one of my faves from each of these guys. For this draw I’ll go with Geza’s Renegade just based on how much Sebastian liked it. The bottles here are a nice change of pace. USA

  • Edward Gurango says:

    Based on your review, I find Mark Buxton’s the most intriguing. But that’s my personal choice. Los angeles CA

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Thanks for such a wonderful & gorgeous giveaway, Jara. As always your reviews/comments tempted me.
    “Each one is different for different occasions. These are totally artistic fragrances & hadn’t any rules to follow or directions. The three without any doubt talented and unique approach perfumers express their true feelings without any following the rules – Project Renegades. The cowboy style.”
    From Mark Buxton creations, I have Comme des Garcons 2 (Silver color bottle).
    From Geza Schoen creations, I have Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, Ormonde Jayne Nawab of Oud where as Ormonde Jayne Montabaco & Kinski are purchased & on their way to deliver.
    From Bertrand Duchaufour creations, I have only L`Artisan Parfumeur Dzongkha.
    For the draw, I’ll pick Geza Schoen perfume.
    I live in Peshawar, Pakistan but I would give my relative/friend address based in US.

  • Systeme D says:

    Great job, Sebastian. I really appreciate your descriptions and reviews.

    I think Geza Schoen is so innovative. The first creation of his I every bought was FCUK Her, and I think it was so daring to release Molecule 01. Even so, my favorite creation by Schoen is Escentric 03.

    Picking a favorite by Bertrand Duchaufour is practically impossible because I love so many fragrances of his. I will just list a few: Paestum Rose, Baume du Doge, Dzongkha, Avignon, and the original Aedes de Venustas. I think I wear Dzongkha most often.

    Among Mark Buxton’s best, if you ask me, would be the original CdG and CdG2, Van Cleef and Arpels Cologne Noire, and Ouarzazate. I need to get my nose on more of his work!

    If I were to win this draw, I would choose Geza Schoen’s citrus and pink pepper bomb!

    I am in the US.

  • teresa310 says:

    Well, I think I will skip the review for now and try to imagine how the scents could smell like just guessing by the name of the nose behind it. If I have to choose, I will hesitate between Geza Schoen (love Molecules 01 and 02) and Bertrand Duchaufour (love CdG Sherbet series, Mechant Loup, Jaisalmer…). I am sure both scents are masterpieces. thank you! (EU)

  • Another lovely review, Sebastian. I’m most intrigued by Geza Schoen’s fragrance….seems like it’d be cold and warm at the same time. Also I love the bottle presentation.
    My favorite fragrance by Mark Buxton is Black Angel. Thank you!
    I live in Europe.

  • Wow I wanna win all 3. Bad Azz bottles!!! But if I had to pick one it would have to be the Geza Schoen. It fits my needs and year around weather the most. Although I’am a larger fan of Mark Buxton and Bertrand Duchaufour.

    Another great review Sebastian! Thanks Renegade, Cafleurebon and LFSG for the giveaway from the US.

  • misty_father says:

    This is what it’s all about, making art for the sake of creativity, not money! These guys are all-stars in the perfume world and Sebastian made a pretty interesting introduction to these fragrances, but the one I wanna try the most is Bertrand Duchafour’s; my favorite fragrance from him might me Sartorial, which im wearing right now actually. So I would like to win Bertrand’s Renegade.
    I live in the EU. Thanks for the draw guys!

  • I like that he explained that every perfumer made his own fragrance and that they haven’t worked on all three together, because that is what I was thinking. And based on his description, I would like to try the fragrance by Geza Schoen. I’m in the US.

  • Fantastic review. I always enjoy Sebastian’s YouTube reviews, he is very good at perfume reviews. Those three perfume are all sounds incredible unique and interesting. I would very like to try them all. And those lovely cowboy bottles are also very impressive. I can’t chose now at the moment. If I will be the lucky winner, then I will chose. Thank you for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • Really great video review and introduction I really dig the idea and that each perfumer created his own scent without a marketing brief. The boxes are great. I liked when Sebastian said to wear the fragrance and put the magnet on the fridge to remind you of the scent of the day
    Difficult decision but I would like to winnGeza Schoen pink pepper spicy fruity. I have fragrances from each perfumer
    Bertrand Duchaufour I have Oud Shamash, sartorial and Timbuktu ( I bought that after watching Sebastian video awhile back)
    Mark Buxton I have black angel and sexual healing
    Geza Schoen escentric o1 o3 and ormonde Jayne man
    USA here

  • I love Sebastian’s videos 🙂 they are so entertaining and engaging! I’m most familiar with Duchafour’s work, and cannot live without Safran Troublant and Mohur. I’d love the Duchafour bottle if I win. I’m in the EU. Thanks for the awesome draw!

  • ntabassum92 says:

    To be eligible please leave a detailed comment ON THIS SITE with what you enjoyed about Sebastian’s YouTube review (you never know who might be reading it) which Renegade you would like to win, and where you live. If you have a favorite fragrance by Geza Schoen, Mark Buxton and Bertrand Duchaufour, we would love to know.

    I like how you Sebastian connected the name of the fragrances to the actual fragrance – how unique they are, and how there are no ties holding the fragrances down. It’s rare to smell something that is pure artistic conception, a creation that is just what the perfumer wanted it to be, not necessarily something that we want it to be. I am most interested in the Geza Schoen fragrance, especially because Sebastian mentioned horseradish!!! How interesting! I really, really love Swan Princess by Bertrand Duchaufour. – VA, U.S.A.

  • Yet another great review by Sebastian. However your descriptions of each make it very difficult to choose. that being said Geza’s fragrance seems like something I would wear most often…..but they all sound so good so my choice could change in 5 minutes……lol. Thank you again for the chance at winning one of these bottles. One would make a great addition to my small collection. I live in Nova Scotia Canada

  • 3 big heros in parfum world. Each does unique and amazing fragrances. This is so amazing to see they create scents without any restriction from the house and all about their taste. I would loveeee to try these fragrances. Sebastian’s review really helped about having idea of scents and they all sounded so good. Thanks so much for the giveaway as always.

    I am from Washington State.

  • bernardom says:

    Very much excited with this project. My favorite is Mark Buxton’s fragrance from what i’ve seen from Sebastian’s review (im a leather guy). My favorite fragrance by Mark is Black Angel.

    Live in EU.

  • marcopietro says:

    Great review and video! Very interesting project, I like the concept, and all of three independent perfumers. I appreciate their total creative freedom and choice of olfactory agreements in the construction process of the fragrances. A nice mix of creative innovation and skills in handling the craft tradition.
    I had fragrances of each of the three and I love their creations: Nameless by M.Buxton, Timbuktu By B.Duchaufour and Ormonde Man by G.Schoen.
    I would love to win Geza Schoen’s Renegade.
    I live in Italy. Thanks for the draw!

  • No need to enter me, but I predict those magnets will become a hot commodity. The entire concept of this line is just beyond cool.

  • First of all, I absolutely am in love with this project. From the creativity of the fragrances to the very trippy, unique bottles. Love the renegade cowboy images too – and the fact that they are magnets – how cool is that!
    I enjoyed the review and it’s fun to watch someone describe each one and go into the nuances of each and how they relate to him. Gives a review a totally different edge. I love Geza Schoen and so based on Sebastian’s really point on review of this fragrance, I would definitely say – that is my pick. I hope I’m lucky enough to win – i’m registered and in the US. I’ve been waiting for these ever since the word was out. Thanks so much!

  • Great review by Sebastian. Great looking bottles. Can’t decide which I might want … they all sound amazing. Perhaps Bertrand.

  • I love Sebastian’s reviews because they are so personal. It’s great that he talks about the kind of day he could see himself wearing these on. It gives me a good idea of which I’d like to try. I live in Canada and would love to try the Mark Buxton.

  • Great rewiew.Those fragrances sound amazing,especially Duchafour’s
    I live in EU

  • This is just a great, unique and interesting concept. I like too many by all these perfumers too list, so I won’t. What I have liked, Mr. Buxton’s Black Angel, Vanille d’Iris and Mr. Duchaufour’s Havana Vanille. All three of these new Renegades sound worthy to try. Since I can only choose one it’s going to be Mr. Duchaufour’s creation. 🙂 U.S.

  • Diana Devlin says:

    I can watch Sebastian’s YouTube videos all day long. I love how he describes perfumes he gets to test out. These 3 fragrances sound really great and the bottles with magnets are incredibly cool! Of the 3 scents, I’d be most eager to try Mark Buxton’s fragrance. I live in the U.S.

  • JCIMS1611 says:

    I think he came across something great about magnets on my fridge for my scent of the day . They all sound great but I think the Mark Buxton one would be more up my alley. I’m in the US.

    Thanks!

  • Wayne Hollander says:

    I think Sebastian likes the same things I do! First of all- Total packaging and bottle porn! WOW – the magnets? HOT. I appreciate that he knows the work of the perfumers (I don’t) and can pronounce their names!
    It didn’t sound like he had a clear favorite of the three – but he did seem to have a soft spot for the Buxton, which I what I’d pick. Notwithstanding the coming of summer…..I favor darker scents, smoke, wood, incense…..which of course leaves my wardrobe very weak in the summer department. I have been learning to appreciate more citrus (when mixed with incense!) and certain aquatics (when mixed with gourmand notes), so I’m definitely open to them – and honestly these all sound delightful. Always grateful for the chance at fragrances like these!

  • I would like 2 win Geza Schoen’s fragrance the way Sebastian describes it sounds very intriguing. My favorite Geza Schoen fragrance is Montabaco by Ormonde Jayne
    I live in Virginia America

  • Lellabelle says:

    A fun and informative review, thank you Sebastian. I love the idea that these are produced with total creative freedom and embrace the result! When you are totally free to create, you can produce something that truly reflects who you are. I would love to sample all of these, as they are an extremely talented group of ‘renegades’ ;).

    For me, there is only one choice however: I love Bertrand’s style, and am fortunate to know and love many of his creations. Jubilation XXV is one of the most beautiful, wonderful things I have ever smelled and is utterly masterful in its complexity. It leaves me speechless. He manages to produce perfumes that are simultaneously challenging, innovative, and richly polished. So many sparkling facets that there is always enough going on to keep you guessing, but never overdone. Everything in perfect, imperfect balance. Bertrand, if you’re reading this, thank you!
    Please enter me for the draw. Canada please.

  • Nice review. I would go foir Mark Buxton’s fragrance. If I recall it correct bold, leathery and close to the skin… Sounds good to me. Never tried one od his fragrances though. I live in Europe.

  • A very interesting ANTI-perfume project! Sebastian’s reviews shine a spotlight on lesser known/ start up brands. Funny how all three perfumers seem to have included the note of pink pepper in there creations, a note which I have always associated with commercial perfumes trying really hard to spark interest, maybe the real essence of ANTI-perfume. I am really curious of Bertrand Duchafour’s creation, I love Jubilation XXV and Timbuktu, I would love to win this creation of his.
    I live in the EU.

  • Great review! All sound very interesting, the presentation is amazing. I am always so tempted by anything with the pink pepper note and Renegade by Geza is on my list to try.
    I have a lot of favorite fragrances by Geza Schoen but the two most recent are Kinski and Vanille d’Iris.
    Thank you for the chance! USA

  • All sound very nice and probably nothing I would wear but my husband would love Geza Schoen for sure. The bottles are nothing like I’ve ever seen before and so goth looking, a must for any collection and pretty affordable. Thanks again from the US

  • Richard Körner says:

    They all sound (and look) very exciting! The bottles alone look amazing! As always, I love the way he describes everything with such detail, it’s almost as you could smell it too. I love how artsy they all are. They truly are renegades!
    I have to choose Geza’s creation since Sebastian said he would wear it during hotter days and I live in a place where it’s pretty much 90 degrees all year round, so I think it would be a good fit for me! Thank you for the giveaway! Greeting from Mexico.

  • I love this concept of letting the perfumers do whatever the heck they want. The fragrances sound absolutely exciting.

    I always enjoy Sebastian’s reviews, he gets to the point, gives his impression of the fragrances in a quick and articulate fashion, no endless rambeling, just a precise and honest opinion.

    I have tried quite a few Duchaufour’s fragrances and there are many I like, but I’m absolutely in love with Al Oudh by L’Artisan. If I had to choose one fragrance, I’d be inclined to go wiht his because I’m a huge fan of his work. However, I am pretty sure the other two are amazing as well.

    I live in the EU ; )

  • It’s a very difficult task to choose one of the scents! They all seem to be very unique. Guessing from Sebasian’s review I would pick Mark Buxton’s creation, I am so curious about the horseradish note! I love some of his old classics, like Mira Bai, Dalissime and Laguna.

  • lamonte Nichols says:

    They way Sebastian described the geza fragrance is sooooooooo good.fruity pink pepper you cannot beat that.maryland

  • Lovely review! Great review from Sebastian I don’t know which one to choose! I would probably go for Geza’s one as I love pink pepper and the fact that it’s the loudest one of the three! I am in the UK

  • Iphigenia says:

    Sebastian’s reviews are always a step ahead / avant garde look on perfumery really unique!
    I love the concept of Renegades throwing all rules out of the window. I have experienced and like Bertrand Duchaufour’s work my favorite perfume creation is Timbuktu and Traversee du Bosphore.
    I would love to experience Geza Schoen’s perfume creation
    I am a registered reader living in EU. Thank you for the lovely review and draw as well.

  • pursejunkie says:

    I rarely watch video reviews, but I am glad to have seen this one or I would never have known about the magnets. The Mark Buxton sounds like the choice for me: darker, as Sebastian says, and not too much projection. My favorites (so far) of Buxton’s other work are Ouarzazate, Mood Indigo and Dalissime. My favorites from Schoenare Tzora and Base and from Duchaufour I love Cuir de Nacre and Skin on Skin.
    U.S.

  • Miss Almond says:

    I love Timbuktu and at first I thought I would choose Duchaufour’s perfume, but perhaps this time the winner would be more dark, woody and leathery: Mark Buxton’s creation.
    This was my first time watching Sebastian reviewing perfume on YouTube and I really like it! Thank you! I am from the EU.

  • echinacea says:

    Pink pepper rulez. I am choosing Geza Schoen’s scent. I hope it is as brilliant as molecules. Thank you for the review Sebastian! I am in the EU.

  • I love Sebastians enthusiasm in this review. Wonderful. I don’t know why but looking at these bottles and having such artists creating things that encompass their personalities made me think of the competition of creating door panels for the Florence Baptistry…although i know this not a competition:) I would choose Duchafour’s creation although I would be happy with any. I live in Utah/USA. 🙂