Photo by Aaron©

Over the past few weeks I have been very fortunate to be involved in a very special history making perfume project with Le Jardin Retrouvé (see here for my previous reviews) to help decide what fragrance should be next in line for release. Perfumer Maxence “Max” Moutte (Givaudan) recreated formulas from Yuri Gutsatz's long lost documents recently found by his family and chose four of the 20000 in the archives. dinIn a very forward thinking project, Le Jardin Retrouvé Perfume Revival, Michel and Clara decided to ask influencers which of the four they thought should be the next Le Jar Retrouvé perfume in 2018. Due to issues with the postal service, I was a little late to the party, but I received my covertly labeled (color coded) samples recently and began testing each one for several days.  So, without further ado, here are my thoughts:

Le Jardin Retrouvé Perfume Revival Project Green

Green (1973): Immediately out of the bottle this one screams “unusual” to me.  It is not unlike a bunch of herbs and spices mixed together for the purpose of making a very exotic culinary dish made up of things from may different cultures. There are overtones of conifer forests, but the aromatic herbs dominate very distinctly throughout.  This one is rather brooding on my skin after awhile. The atmosphere it evokes never strays too far from thoughts of being in a restaurant far, far away. 

Le Jardin Retrouvé Perfume Revival Project Yellow

Yellow (1981): This one is cheerfulness straight out the bottle! Its bright citrus flower start acts to immediately heighten ones senses with a “get up and go” invigoration that would start off any day quite nicely.  Soon thereafter a sometimes indolic jasmine is represented  in a manner that is about as non-indolic as it can possible be –  it is as fresh as a summer breeze… and Lady Miss Jasmine she wants the world to know it!  The dry down comes in a little green with a tinge of maybe musk and moss.  Quite nice!  I see this as a summer time get out there and enjoy the day fragrance. Of the four this one strikes me as most traditionally feminine.

Le Jardin Retrouvé Perfume Revival Project Red

Red (1967): This one strikes me as the most traditionally masculine of the group.  It goes on with an oddly challenging woody overtone that is quite difficult to describe in all honesty.  Red is a bit on the herbal side, but at the same time woody. With no doubt whatsoever there is truly one big star in this fragrance- vetiver. What I like about this one is the progression. It doesn't get too dry (as vetiver tends to do), but dry it still is.  As the herbal overtones give out and the vetiver shines in all its glory, up rises spicy and even more woody/powdery undertones that makes for a great finish.  This one I like, but I don't love.

Le Jardin Retrouvé Perfume Revival Project Black and CaFleureBon’s vote for the winner 

Black (1963): Of the four this one seems to have a character that I think would augment the collection beautifully for LJR and was my choice as the next fragrance release. It's a dark Oriental with an opulence that never goes out of style.

Liz Taylor and Montgomery Clift 1940s- Movie promo 

The spiciness is just powdery enough to evoke "perfumed memories" of the past…in that get all dressed up and "let's be fabulous" type of mentality…while still being modern (ooooh, yes, carnation is always a star!).

via tumblr

"Black" perfectly sums up one word in my mind, FASHION. I can see this being worn back in the early1900's just as well in the mid and late century by gents and ladies alike.I most certainly see this more recently as a formal black tie tuxedo and evening dress (in black) fragrance. However, there's nothing wrong with a spritz as a reminder whilst doing the more mundane things of life. Simply apply it and off you go into another world, even if you're just in jeans and a t-shirt running errands.

I am excitedly looking forward to final outcome! If you or your friends have received the sample pack, please be sure to vote! The Winner will be announced on June 28, 2018 and  the people's choice perfume will debut in October for sale. Which sounds like your choice based on Aaron's thoughts? 

Disclaimer:  Opinions are my own based on samples provided by Le Jardin Retrouvé.  Thanks Michel and Clara!  It is always a pleasure!

–Aaron Potterman, Contributor and Vintage Perfume Expert

Black Tie images chosen by Michelyn who agrees with Aaron's choice of Black!!