FIVE BY BRUNO FAZZOLARI (2013)

Wow. The opening (and well, the evolution too) of Five by Fazzolari is just “wow”. Powerful, deep, extremely clear and completely unique, at least for my experience. A very innovative sort of classic “eau de cologne” with citrus, edgy green notes and a very light powdery-mossy base... but richly infused with a sort of thick, evocative salty-watery feel. I would use the term “ozonic” if it wasn’t so abused and associated to so much garbage. But it is indeed “ozonic” in the most truthful and genuine sense possible. I know what you may think then – “well, basically an ozonic citrus scent?”. Theoretically yes. But actually no, not really. That would be the “concept”, but the notes and the way they’re blended smell deeply different from what you may think and surely from any ozonic-fresh scent I know. Mostly because of the herbal-watery feel, which is truly puzzling. It’s mindblowing for how realistic, faceted, shimmering and deep it is, and for how it interacts with the other notes. It smells truly like damp seaweeds and wet rocks with a gentle uplifting herbal breeze – imagine that, impeccably blended with a more formal “eau de cologne” fragrance (so citrus and lavender, basically).

It’s actually hard for me to do this scent some justice only with words, but yes, probably thinking of a classic “eau de cologne” rich in citrus and powdery notes blended with the invigorating smell of a sunny late afternoon lying on a damp rock on some cozy Sardinian cove, may more or less suggest what Five is about. With a clarity, a richness and a persistence I’ve never, ever experienced with this genre of scents. Truly perfect.  Maybe Villoresi Uomo is a similar, and similarly amazing, unusual and rich Mediterranean interpretation of a classic citrus-herbal cologne, but lacking in what makes Five so special - that bold “iodine-watery” element  which is, well, just brilliant – and is actually the main vein of Five (I mean the main “accord”, it’s quite powerful). Again, please don’t imagine any “calone” thing, or some flat chemical “salty” garbage as in many “sea-salt” niche scent – this is lukewarm, organic, rich living sea water diluted with a distinguished vintage citrus-powdery cologne and a sort of somehow fitting metallic aftertaste (which paired with citrus and a subtle darker mossy base, kind of reminds me of Christopher Street by Charenton Macerations). Fantastic drydown, with the “sea” effect taking the stage over the “eau de cologne” part, leaving a trail of fresh herbs and marine water on your skin. Probably the most interesting, clever and well executed variation on a classic citrus-herbal scent I’ve ever tried, and surely the bes t “marine” fragrance on the market for me.

8,5-9/10

FIVE BY BRUNO FAZZOLARI (2013)

Wow. The opening (and well, the evolution too) of Five by Fazzolari is just “wow”. Powerful, deep, extremely clear and completely unique, at least for my experience. A very innovative sort of classic “eau de cologne” with citrus, edgy green notes and a very light powdery-mossy base... but richly infused with a sort of thick, evocative salty-watery feel. I would use the term “ozonic” if it wasn’t so abused and associated to so much garbage. But it is indeed “ozonic” in the most truthful and genuine sense possible. I know what you may think then – “well, basically an ozonic citrus scent?”. Theoretically yes. But actually no, not really. That would be the “concept”, but the notes and the way they’re blended smell deeply different from what you may think and surely from any ozonic-fresh scent I know. Mostly because of the herbal-watery feel, which is truly puzzling. It’s mindblowing for how realistic, faceted, shimmering and deep it is, and for how it interacts with the other notes. It smells truly like damp seaweeds and wet rocks with a gentle uplifting herbal breeze – imagine that, impeccably blended with a more formal “eau de cologne” fragrance (so citrus and lavender, basically).

It’s actually hard for me to do this scent some justice only with words, but yes, probably thinking of a classic “eau de cologne” rich in citrus and powdery notes blended with the invigorating smell of a sunny late afternoon lying on a damp rock on some cozy Sardinian cove, may more or less suggest what Five is about. With a clarity, a richness and a persistence I’ve never, ever experienced with this genre of scents. Truly perfect.  Maybe Villoresi Uomo is a similar, and similarly amazing, unusual and rich Mediterranean interpretation of a classic citrus-herbal cologne, but lacking in what makes Five so special - that bold “iodine-watery” element  which is, well, just brilliant – and is actually the main vein of Five (I mean the main “accord”, it’s quite powerful). Again, please don’t imagine any “calone” thing, or some flat chemical “salty” garbage as in many “sea-salt” niche scent – this is lukewarm, organic, rich living sea water diluted with a distinguished vintage citrus-powdery cologne and a sort of somehow fitting metallic aftertaste (which paired with citrus and a subtle darker mossy base, kind of reminds me of Christopher Street by Charenton Macerations). Fantastic drydown, with the “sea” effect taking the stage over the “eau de cologne” part, leaving a trail of fresh herbs and marine water on your skin. Probably the most interesting, clever and well executed variation on a classic citrus-herbal scent I’ve ever tried, and surely the bes t “marine” fragrance on the market for me.

8,5-9/10

Bruno Fazzolari Room 237

by: Jodi Battershell

"Heeere's Johnny!"

Stanley Kubrick's enduring classic horror film, The Shining, was based on a popular novel of the same name by Stephen King, but featured significant variations from the novel's plot and characters. First released in 1980 to mixed reviews and mediocre box office results, the film itself has grown in status (and legend) over the years. Currently ranked as #58 in the Internet Movie Database's list of Top 250 Films and in the Top Ten of many esteemed critics and film directors, few today would argue its status as a horror masterpiece or deny its importance in popular culture, the image and quote above being oft-cited examples.

The film continues to inspire discussion and debate, as well as garnering new fans and scaring new generations. In 2012, a documentary film exploring various cultural and historical interpretations of the movie was released. That film, Room 237, took its title from the room in the Overlook Hotel where many of the film's pivotal (and most frightening) moments take place. The room number itself is one of the changes made for the film—the room number where the events took place in the novel was actually 217. That the number of the hotel room in the film (not the novel) has inpsired both a documentary and now a perfume is perhaps testament to the enduring power of Kubrick's amazing work.

[My goodness! Is it obvious yet that I'm a huge fan of this film? Just watching that trailer below gives me goosebumps, in the best possible way.—jb]

Artist and perfumer Bruno Fazzolari has created previous fragrances inspired by his own artwork (Lampblack, Five, Monserrat) as well as the work of other artists (Au Dela, Jimmy). It seems wholly appropriate that Fazzolari has created a new perfume, Room 237, as an homage to Stanley Kubrick’s film, "where the spotlessly clean, pastel green bathroom of the titular room shelters an unspeakable evil."
 

Room 237 main notes: Grand hotel soap Flea bane Angelica Peculiar florals Oppoponax Costus root Vinyl shower curtain

The notes of the perfume give a nice hint as to what happens in Room 237, without being too much of a spoiler for someone who hasn't seen the film.

Described as a "challenging, yet wearable perfume," the fragrance is built on an off-kilter accord of camphorous greeen notes, peculiar florals, steam, soap and plastic, for an effect that is initially unsettling but is soon balanced by a musky warmth in the base. "The truth is that this is not going to be for everyone but I think it’s a scent that the more devoted fragrance fans will appreciate and get a kick out of," notes Fazzolari.

Room 237 is available in 30 ml spray bottles and 1.5 ml sample vials from the official website of Bruno Fazzolari.