Anthropologie liv Fictions Review

by: Elena Knezhevich

Anthropologie is a store where you go to treat yourself. You can live your everyday life passing by this store: if you don't walk in, you will not lose anything practical you need. But if you walk in, you might have a feeling that you need everything there. This is what art does to us. Artists see life and things from a different angle and the opportunity to join them is very tempting.

Recently we published official information about the Anthropologie Fictions perfume collection of three perfumes. In short, each edition is a collaboration between a perfumer and an illustrator on a love story which begins on paper and continues in your mind.

A photo of each creator of the perfume stories, as well as their own short bio,
are printed on the bookmarks in each of the novels.

Books as a decor is a usual thing in Anthropologie stores. Books as the inspiration or presentation of a niche perfume have become a very modern and quite natural way to sell you more than just a scent, but in fact a piece of somebody's life experience which becomes your own.The creators of Anthropologie Fictions propose to you a nice way to imagine, see and smell perfume. In all honesty, I like to be my own perfume storyteller, but in this case I am curious to see somebody else's imagination at work.

The names of the perfumes (or novels) sound like those of cheap love novelletes - they are very suggestive - although they fit the silly mood you get in the Antropologie stores, where you can allow yourself something you could make fun of in your everyday, very busy life routine.

I received two sets of Anthropologie Fictions for a review and would love to compare my own experience with two of our Fragrantica readers (USA only, sorry for that).

LOS ANGELES. She called but he was unreachable

This perfume is from Southern California and describes my favorite part of the day, right before sunset. I am in the right place and time, I just have to make a small journey in time and imagine myself here 50 years ago, as it's said in the story. And, yes, I am in love, imagining his ah, so familiar scent.

on the bottle is a ticket to the cinema for one person

The composition is a clean, citrusy cologne, with some fresh, floral nuances for elegance and vintage chic. Powder is a necessary element to put you in a dreamy, nostalgic, hazy evening mood and get you closer to HIS skin. This is a smell of a gentleman, who chooses to smell only as much as his everyday morning grooming products allow. And they smell quite modest and traditional, because perfumes are made for women, as it was believed.

This reminiscence of HIS smell, together with the time reference to mid-century and very practical utilization of grooming products by men, makes the fragrance actually very sensual, it has a very direct link to HIS body. Nevertheless, I wouldn't reserve this perfume for men only, it is a story, and you can retell it your own way.

LONDON. She knew he was for-ever

on the bottle is a tea bag label

He and she on Primrose Hill (on the northern side of Regent's Park in London), in the month of April. This is very much an Antropologie fragrance, which creates a fragile romantic atmosphere around you. It is very green and very wet, full of air, tiny flowers and green tea. It is created to feel young and careless. I would also call it 'fragrance with a view'. All the world is in front of you, just as London is seen from Primrose Hill. You can feel that big space, a great deal of only fresh air before your eyes that reaches something in the distance.

on the bottle is a Paris metro ticket

PARIS. She met him in secret

An unexpected love affair in Paris. Sounds like a bad cliche, but why not? At least we know what to imagine ;o). This fragrance is the most 'niche' of all. It is a leathery / ambery perfume with a 'dark and not-for-all' character. It is not too dark though, because it was created for good natured Anthropologie. I sense lipstick in it (violet+rose), as was announced, which makes it a sensual feminine evening scent. It also made me think of candles and something old but nice, which fits the reputation of ambery fragrances in general.

You can find the Anthropologie Fictions fragrances in Anthropologie stores and online.

Photos by Elena Knezhevich