The first scent from Porsche Design Group will début this Fall. The men's scent was developed jointly by the Porsche SE subsidiary producing high-end accessories and Groupe Clarins' Parfums Azzaro. Want precise names ? The Essence was developed by perfumers Anne Flipo and Bruno Jovanovic.The minimal design approach is freshened with the liberal use of crisp aquamarine blue and matte finishes. Simple rectangular and cylindrical forms work together for a minimal and decidedly masculine feel. The beauty of this line is clearly in the details, as subtle as they are. Note the brushed black anodized aluminum framing on the bottle, the square hole of the atomizer opening and the sharp horizontal cutaway below it. These details cause you to focus on the tactile matte, translucent aquamarine blue frosted glass body. All of the details work together to create a powerful and alluring product experience. Something modern and in l’air du temps. The Essence by Porsche Design is a successful parlay into fragrance by the sports car manufacturer.
Okay ... but what does it smell like ? The juice is described as fresh, aromatic and woody with "blizzard and tundra" accords which play on the theme of cold and warm at the same time.
It definitely has an airy, cold and refreshing take on right from the beginning. You can also find it a little green. A bit grassy and organic. After settling down from the cold and green opening, the scent becomes slightly woody. Hours later, you are left with a very interesting green and woody finish -which smells utterly classy and elegant.
One new molecule, Artical, from International Flavors & Fragrances, was the starting point. Azzaro execs envisioned an urban, cultured, intelligent, sporty, sensual man in the 25-50 age range as the user. In addition to Artical, other top notes are juniper and blueberry. Among heart notes are Russian coriander, black pepper and Siberian pine, and in the base are notes of fir balsam, patchouli and incense.
One word of warning, though : The Essence is a scent so fresh and irresistible that it’s likely to be pilfered by your girlfriend.
Around early October, the scent will be introduced in selective distribution, plus Porsche Design sales points and travel-retail locations in Europe, the Middle East and North America. In the United States, the scent will be launched in Bloomingdale's in October, then in Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom during the first week of November. The second phase, starting in early 2009, will include Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Just like those new hi-tech cars that now come with an MP3 player or adaptor for your iPod, I can imagine new Porsches will have a little compartment for a flacon of The Essence, with some electronic gadgetary that presses the spray every 10, 30 or 60 minutes say to release a burst of the fragrance ! Or come to think of it, this should be an intelligent car that gauges just when a spritz is needed and acts accordingly (beware the driver that eats too much wurst !)…
