Olibere Parfums Leather Attraction (Luca Maffei) ~New Fragrance Review + Les Mythiques Collection Draw

Anne Parrilaud as the eponymous heroine in Nikita

“To your future.” (they toast champagne; he gives her a gift)                 

“Now?” (he nods. She unwraps her present)         

“It's loaded. Six titanium bullets, plus an extra cartridge.”

“I don't get it.”

“There are three people behind you. A woman and two men in suits: A bodyguard…and a VIP. You've two bullets to kill him.”

The birthday scene in Luc Besson's Nikita (1990)

One of the most memorable anti-heroines of the 90s, Nikita is a drugged-out thief who is conscripted as an assassin for the government after she murders a cop in a failed robbery. Played by Anne Parillaud, leather-clad Nikita is the anti-Emma Peel, barely holding it together as she chases the freedom that is always just one more killing away. Olibere Parfums Leather Attraction is one of three new additions to their Les Mythiques/Precious Collection (along with the wonderful Chemical Love and lush Dangerous Rose), captures the contradictory character of Luc Besson’s quirky assassin.

Marjorie Olibere and Luca Maffei

Created by the ever-talented Luca Maffei in concert with creative director and founder Marjorie Olibere, Leather Attraction takes you on a twisty ride: from stylish vintage satchel in the style of Cuir Mauresque to a rough-around-the-edges motorbike leather akin to Santa Maria Novella Peau D’Espagne before claiming in its own unique space between them.

Photo by Ko photography

On first spray, the aromas of Olibere Parfums Leather Attraction go skittering by like numbers at the start of an old film reel: soot, earth, carrot, bergamot and dried tobacco leaf rush past each other without sticking around for long. Then the smoke begins to clear, and the first leather personality begins to emerge: unshaven, a little raunchy, trailing a haze of last night’s cigarettes and booze. Maffei uses oud to great effect here, teasing out its smoky, whiskey facets in combination with a deliciously dirty patchouli. I get hits of motor oil and the raw, almost meaty smell of saddle bag before sweet carrot seed and tangy bergamot grab hold of those dark notes and give them a good shaking.

Photo by Nihat Odabasi for Atalar FW 2012©

In the middle stages, Olibere Parfums Leather Attraction begins to soften and round. Tobacco-like lavender comes forward as a second leather begins to make her appearance. While I can’t quite discern iris, I know it’s here from the familiar bready note that arrives. Iris’ entry at this point in the composition is key; it smooths out the leather with its baked off-sweetness, heightened by tickly, green angelica. As the iris and angelica work their magic, the leather note begins to take on aspects of dried fruit, putting Serge Lutens’ Cuir Mauresque in mind.The dry-down, which is a long time coming, brings a touch of dry woods and settles Leather Attraction into an idiosyncratic, earthy, elegant leather that never quite loses its biker babe toughness, wearable by anyone. This is one of my favourite leather fragrances of the last few years.

Nikita might just kill for it.

Notes: Bergamot, lavender, angelica, carrot seed, leather, iris, oud, patchouli, vetiver, cashmeran, ambroxan, musk.

Olibere Les Mythiques extraits via @olibereparfums

Editor’s note: Olibere is doing great work these days. Chemical Love, a metallic, glamorous ice maiden inspired by Scarface, and Dangerous Rose, a luscious gothic floral rooted in Dracula, were also created by Maffei and are worth experiencing. And now’s the time to do it: Olibere has launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance production of the Les Mythiques Collection. By reserving either 50 or 100ml of any perfume in the group, all of which are made in extrait, supporters will receive a sample set of all four fragrances and can then choose a bottle of either Olibere Parfums Leather Attraction, Chemical Love, Dangerous Rose or 2017’s Savannah’s Heart at 50% off. Shipping to the EU and U.S. is free.

. Disclaimer: Samples kindly provided by Olibere Parfums. My opinions are my own.

– Lauryn Beer, Senior Editor

Olibere Parfums Leather Attraction

Marjorie Olibere has generously offered a 50 ml bottle of Leather Attraction to one registered reader in the EU or U.S. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Olibere Parfums Leather Attraction based on Lauryn’s review, and what film character you would like to see a perfume created for, or which of the Les Mythiques fragrances also appeal to you. Draw closes 7/29/2018

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35 comments

  • INYA says:

    Dangerous Rose definitely appeals to me. This article makes me want to pull my Harley-Davidson leather jacket out once again. LOL. In the USA, thanks for this generous opportunity to sniff.

  • fazalcheema says:

    At first I thought this will be safe leather but it seems there are daring aspects to it that remind of classics like Lutens Cuir. I would like a fragrance to be inspired by Neo. thanks for draw. I am in US.

  • DespinaVnt says:

    As a film and perfume lover I appreciated Lauryn’s piece in double!
    I loved to hear that another new and intriguing leather fragrance is out there, and also that a perfume house is actually giving some serious thought to its film-inspired scents (perfumes that claim inspiration from cinema quite often simply use a catchy title and take a rather epidermic approach to their proposed creation, without any substantial olfactory interpretation of the film or character they refer to).
    The film characters I’d like to be reflected on a fragrance are truly numerous, if I have to name just one, it might as well be the larger-than-life Scarlett O’Hara from “Gone with the Wind”.
    Thank you for the wonderful draw, I live in EU (France).

  • J.H.X. says:

    I love leather scents so this one intrigues me! Since I’m a rose fan too their Dangerous Rose sounds also interesting. I think I’ve never seen a crowdfunding of perfumes before. Interesting idea!

    Thanks for the draw! I live in France.

  • JozefJak says:

    This one looks as very rough and dark buzzy leather scent. It would be probably my blind choice and I also love this movie. Another film character to be an inspiration for the scent I like to try will be Indiana Jones. I live in EU.

  • Mr_Sillage says:

    Wow, Lauren’s review is INCREDIBLE. This fragrance sounds so incredibly sexy.. but like RAUNCHY sexy, if that makes sense. The notes sound right up my alley and the way Lauryn describes then make them even that much more enticing. ” from stylish vintage satchel in the style of Cuir Mauresque to a rough-around-the-edges motorbike leather ” this transition sounds incredible. If there was one character I would love to see a fragrance modeled after, it works be Mad Max, dirty Apocalyptic desert fragrance. I don’t know why that sounds appealing to me, but it does. Thank you so much for the opportunity. I live in Philadelphia PA

  • Southernboy says:

    In this article what appeals to me, is the way Lauryn Beer, describes Leather Attraction with all of the different notes. From all of the movies I’ve seen, I would like to see fragrance based off of Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones. Just image a rough and musky leather fragrance based off this character. Would like to entered for Leather Attraction. Thank you, Live in the US.

  • jeremyn87 says:

    From the description, I’m interested because this fragrance sounds very, very earthy. Dirty, animalic, leathery, I could imagine this smelling like Aramis or something like that.
    As far as movie characters go, Superman always looks perfectly groomed. I wonder what kind of fragrance would best suit him.

    I’m in the US. Thanks

  • Karolis says:

    Love Cuir perfumes, my favorites are mostly all takes on leather from Tom Ford, love Molinards Cuir, Gucci Guilty Absolute and many others. Leather scents gives this sophistication and confidence.
    I would really love to see scents made based on Game of Throne characters, there is so much diversity and story behind the characters or reflect what they could wear.
    I am from EU.

  • Timea says:

    This fragrance sounds really interesting. In my opinion it is a wonderful idea to movie characters inspire perfumes. For example Middle-Earth characters could inspire perfumes. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe!

  • amirpasha says:

    It’s sound very interesting, and a great idea to have fragrances inspired by movie characters , i would really like to see fragrances inspired by hit series pretty little liars.
    I’m from USA

  • Gabriel Garcia says:

    The perfume looks enticing, and one of my top favorites notes is leather,
    Although I’m also more attracted to the classic style, I wonder if picasso when he wored his bomber jacket, thank you!

  • NiceVULady says:

    This sounds so very interesting. If Nikita might kill for it, its got to be awesome. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Alen says:

    I’ve never tried anything from Olibere house so maybe this is a good chance , leather attraction sounds really good and sexy. One film character i would like to see inspiring a perfume, would be Thranduil the elven king from the hobbit movie, would be amazing. Thanks for the draw, i am in the EU.

  • cwoody says:

    I’m a sucker for a good leather scent and this one sounds magnificent! I’d like to see a fragrance made for Gandalf the Grey. I’m thinking a white musk with tobacco, leather and neroli. Sounds really unique! USA

  • Lori Laws says:

    I love leather scents and this one sounds like I needed it yesterday! It sounds sensual and seductive. A film character that I would love to see a perfume inspired by would be Patience Phillips in Catwoman. Another one would be Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction. I could imagine some anamalic deliciousness. This is the second crowdfunding campaign that i have seen for a perfume this week. I am happy to see that you can in on it early. Thanks for the draw and I live in the US! 🙂

  • Vahagn says:

    I love leathery perfumes, so have read Lauryn:s new article with big interest.
    This perfume sounds very charismatic, dark, old style, but elegant perfume.
    One film character i would like to see inspiring a perfume would be Kill Bill.
    US

  • audesko1 says:

    Sounds like a winner to me. Leather attraction is a great name. I loved all the “woman power” in the photos! I would say Anubus has been a great leather fragrance to me. A film character would probably be Wonder Woman for another leather fragrance. I live in the US and Thank you.

  • Claudia says:

    Leather is one of my favorite notes in the cooler weather. However I must admit I have yet to try an Olibere fragrance. They all sound beautiful.

  • Sérgio Teixeira says:

    Lauryn’s review is almost a screenplay, with notes as leading and supporting actors. I just adore anything with leather, and this seems to be a leather scent with lots of layers, or so it sounds.
    Being a complete cinephile there’s lots of characters I would love to see a perfume being created for, but if I had to pick one it would be Tyler Durden from Fight Club…or Don Vito Corleone.
    Live in Portugal.

  • Laurentiu says:

    The note of carrot sounds very different and intriguing, especially in a leather based perfume. Also, angelica is something I do not happen to encounter very often. I am really curious about this one as I love leather fragrances.

    I am from EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • roxhas1cat says:

    This sounds like a “naughty’ fragrance until the lavender and bread notes kick in. I am going to check into the crowd funding, I recently did that for another fragrance and am excited to get the final product. Like a surprise gift. I recently discovered that a salon/spa in town carry the Olibere line and I have sampled a few. Hmmmm, I watch so few movies, but I’d like to see a fragrance created for Rose from The Titanic. Brave, independent and not constrained by society. Thanks for the chance. Usa.

  • James2473 says:

    Great article, Lauryn! Thanks for the draw! I’m loving the idea of a fragrance inspired by Nikita, and if I could choose to have a fragrance based on a fictional character, I think I would choose Pennywise from It. What appeals to me about Leather Attraction is the amazing list of fragrance notes that compose it. I’m located in the U.S.A.

  • olleriksson says:

    Aside from the fact that it’s a leather fume (my favorite genre), it’s the mention of the dirty patchouli that got my attention! Sounds like a gem 🙂 I’d like to see a perfume based on Elio in Call Me By Your Name. Who wouldn’t want to smell like a hot gay summer in Italy? I’m in Sweden, EU.

  • LostboyR says:

    I love a dirty, lived in leather and this sounds perfect. Another interesting character to base a perfume on might be Almasy from The English Patient. Just imagine the possibilities! I am in the U.S.

  • Catanosmia says:

    I loved Nikita and the description of Leather Attraction sound great. I’d love scents inspired by Nick & Nora Charles! Something boozy I think! Thanks for the draw, I’m in the US.

  • Lauryn says:

    I love so many of these ideas! Nick and Nora — would have to be a chypre with some sprightly green and floral notes. Tyler Durdan – wow, now there’s a challenge for a perfumer! I hope some of our talented artists are reading your suggestions and run with them. Many thanks for all the comments.

  • fleurdelys says:

    Luca Maffei is doing amazing work at the moment.
    Lauryn’s review always manage to create a vivid image and describe perfectly the evolution of the fragrance.
    Rough, smokey, boozy leather is one of my favorite notes. Luca Maffei balances it out with carrot seed, bergamot, angelica.
    Would like to see a perfume based on Leon from Leon: The Professional.
    Thank you for the draw.
    I’m in the EU.

  • doveskylark says:

    Oh, how I love the movie “Nikita.” This fragrance with its raunchy, remains-of -last night edge appeals to me. I would love to see a fragrance based on Lauren Bacall in “To Have and Have Not.” That’s the movie where she said that famous line “You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow.”
    I live in the USA.

  • Hasib says:

    Thanks for this draw and article. Fragrance sounds interesting being based on a character. Like to try it out.
    U.S

  • Marjorie says:

    Lovely review and I adore leather perfumes. I am familiar with Luca Maffei from Masque Milano and perris montecarlo. I think I would like to see a perfume for Judy garland

  • bumbuliuki says:

    Leather Attractions sounds like a bold fragrance.
    Hits of motor oil and saddle bag softened with carrot seed and bergamot sounds impressive.
    A creation from the Les Mythiques fragrances that appeals to me has to be Savannah’s Heart.
    Would love to see a fragrance based on Aragorn from The Lord Of The Rings trilogy.
    Thank you for another great review and for the draw.
    I from the EU.

  • StaceyW says:

    I think the crowdfunding campaign is a brilliant idea and am intrigued by this offering in particular as La Femme Nikita has always been one of my favorite movies and one of Luc Besson’s best. I’d like to see a perfume inspired by the movie Titanic, something nostalgic and classic. I”m in the U.S. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • RinB says:

    What an interesting idea with the crowdfunding campaign – I’ll definitely have to check it out! I haven’t seen the original La Femme Nikita, though I have seen various spinoffs and remakes and I can see how the character could inspire a fragrance. As for the scent itself, I love leathers and was particularly caught by the comparisons to Cuir Mauresque, one of my favorites. This sounds like it might be a slighty dirtier, edgier version. I also love iris (Luca’s L’attesa for Masque Milano is a favorite of mine), so that’s another point in favor!
    Someone above mentioned Almasy from The English Patient as a likely perfume inspiration and I have to agree – that could be an intriguing scent!
    Thank you for the review and draw (I’m in the US)