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

Anthropologie Fictions: PARIS: She met him in secret; LONDON. She knew he was for-ever; L.A. She called but he was unreachable

by: Sandra Raicevic Petrovic

Anthropologie is pleased to introduce Fictions, the newest addition to its fragrance assortment. Combining the arts of perfumery, storytelling and illustration, the exclusive fragrance debuts on July 28th with three scents: PARIS: SHE MET HIM IN SECRET; LONDON. SHE KNEW HE WAS FOR-EVER; and L.A. SHE CALLED BUT HE WAS UNREACHABLE.

“Fictions’ innovative concept, captivating stories and eminently wearable scents, will intrigue our customer and deepen her interest in fragrance as an experience she can enjoy herself and share with her closest friends. We couldn’t dream of a better complement to our current selection of fine fragrances,” says Catherine Moellering, Anthropologie’s GMM of Beauty.

The brand’s premier editions tell three stories authored by remarkable pairings of perfumers and illustrators. Their creative talents led to the realization of distinct yet equally intriguing romances.

The titles’ clever design make them even more irresistible. Each 1.7 oz/50 mL eau de parfum ispresented as a book. The bottles’ labels are romantic trompe l’oeil mementos of their respective love affairs—a metro billet, a tea tag, a movie ticket stub. Bookmarks introduce the stories behind the stories, the backgrounds of the scents’ illustrators and perfumers.

Fictions is phthalate, paraben and sulfate free and is not tested on animals. The fragrance was developed in collaboration with Tru Fragrance and is available exclusively at Anthropologie stores and on its website (www.anthropologie.com) for $48.

ABOUT FICTIONS BY ANTHROPOLOGIE:

PARIS: SHE MET HIM IN SECRET

PARIS: SHE MET HIM IN SECRET is an exploration of unauthorized love created by perfumer Alexandra Monet and illustrated by Casey Shagena. The scent is classified as a floral chypre fragrance, characterized by a contrast between fresh floral notes and a deep, sensual dry down. Says perfumer Alexandra Monet: “I was inspired to create the souvenir of a French kiss—a bit forbidden, always romantic. A mysterious dark irisaccord captures the feeling of her perfect black dress and the shadows along the Paris streets. The scent of her cherished lipstick, tucked in a luxurious clutch—sensuous,powdery, leathery— is left on his skin,the memento of a stolen moment.”

ANTHROPOLOGIE FICTIONS PARIS: SHE MET HIM IN SECRET perfumer: Alexandra Monetillustrator: Casey Shagena

Fragrance Notes Top: Violet Leaf Mid: Dark Iris Accord  Dry: Sueded Leather

PERFUMER: ALEXANDRA MONET Alexandra is a vibrant Parisian perfumer experienced in the art of creating subtle-yet-sensual scents that are simultaneously sophisticated and addictive. Alexandra creates perfumes that, like her, are fashion-forward, a little unexpected, and expressive. ILLUSTRATOR: CASEY SHAGENA An illustrator and entrepreneur, Casey soulfully blends art, packaging and storytelling to create products of true emotional meaning. As proprietress of Menagerie, Portland, Oregon’s small batch beauty destination, she curates artisanal brands with a backstory worth sharing, and creates the same sense of humanity in her own graphic design projects.

L.A. SHE CALLED BUT HE WAS UNREACHABLE

L.A. SHE CALLED BUT HE WAS UNREACHABLE captures the bittersweet joy of unrequited love with a fragrance created by Josh Meyer and a watercolor illustration by Marcel George. The scent is a floral citrus, characterized by a blend of crisp, juicy notes and warm florals. Says perfumer Josh Meyer: “Set against the backdrop of mid-century Southern California, I’ve opened the fragrance fresh and early in the morning with a zingy blast of lemon zest. Anticipation as the sun rises can be felt along with the scentof sweet linden blossoms … Then the fragrance of longing with a stunning base accord of salty ambergris and light musks.”

ANTHROPOLOGIE FICTIONS L.A. SHE CALLED BUT HE WAS UNREACHABLE perfumer: Josh Meyerillustrator: Marcel George

Fragrance Notes  Top: Bergamot, Lemon Zest Mid: Linden, Orange Blossom Dry: Ambergris, Sparkling Musk

PERFUMER: JOSH MEYER Josh is the fragrance mastermind behind cult-adored perfume collection Imaginary Authors, and brings an artist’s sensibility and a rich sense of history and storytelling to his unique creations which are sold in prestige perfumeries across the country. He lives and works in Portland, Oregon. WATERCOLORIST: MARCEL GEORGE Acclaimed young watercolorist and fine art painter Marcel George is based in London. Marcel’s illustrations combine painting with digital design, making them contemporary and engaging. His work has appeared in publications including the Financial Time Magazine, and he regularly exhibits in his native U.K.

LONDON. SHE KNEW HE WAS FOR-EVER

LONDON. SHE KNEW HE WAS FOR-EVER tells a timeless story of unconditional love, with perfumery by Gino Percontino and illustration by Jon Contino. The scent is an aromatic floral, characterized by a blend of breezy green and floral notes. Says perfumer Gino Percontino: “At the entrance of an English garden, the scent opens with a bright spark of connection, then the promenade continues—a romantic breeze of magnolia and honeysuckle envelops the moment and is enlivened by fresh green tea … finally, the warmth of honey and warm woods expresses the comfort and trust of true love.”

ANTHROPOLOGIE FICTIONS LONDON. SHE KNEW HE WAS FOR-EVER perfumer: Gino Percontinoillustrator: Jon Contino

Fragrance Notes Top: Honeysuckle, Magnolia Mid: Green Tea Dry: Honey, Warm Woods

PERFUMER: GINO PERCONTINO A passionate young perfumer, Gino brings a romantic point of view formed by his own European heritage. His travels to locales like London and the Italian countryside inspire his use of ingredients that create a transportive feeling in fragrances he composes. ILLUSTRATOR: JON CONTINO Jon’s award-winning intricate drawings and works of lettering art have re-invented classic book covers of writers such as William Faulkner and Stephen King. His clients include Nike, Jack Daniel’s, Whole Foods, and many more. He was born and raised in New York, NY.

ANTHROPOLOGIE press release