New Niche Fragrance Review: Imaginary Authors – Perfumes with a Story Line + Literature Lovers Draw

Last September the first LA Artisan Fragrance Salon was held in Santa Monica, California. I was unable to attend, but a kind friend acted as my surrogate and obtained samples from brands that were participating that were not familiar to me. One of the brands that came in the fun box she sent was called Imaginary Authors, featuring great artwork and packaging, along with a fun concept. Perfumer Josh Meyer has created a line based on books that have never been written by authors who never lived. Each perfume bottle is wrapped in what looks like the cover art of a book, and the website gives author biographies and excerpts. I was delighted by the idea and more delighted when I covered my arms with all seven scents at once and found them to be intriguing.

The art for “The Soft Lawn”, by Claude LeCoq (the imaginary author), depicts a country club atmosphere a la F. Scott Fitzgerald. The perfume is beautiful; featuring linden (a favorite note) and leaves, it is fresh and green, with no bitterness and a slight floracy. The Soft Lawn is a perfect name for it, as I feel as though I am lolling on a sweet, newly mowed patch of grass. As the scent progresses, an earthiness is displayed, and Josh Meyer has playfully added notes of a tennis court to tie in with the theme of the book. I enjoy it when a perfume that starts out so pretty becomes a little odd but still interesting, although I do wish the top notes stuck around a bit longer. The far drydown is a piquant, salty, almost marine aroma that I am enjoying quite a bit.

Notes: Linden blossom, laurel and ivy leaves, vetiver, oakmoss, fresh tennis balls, clay court

I am a sucker for anything that even suggests “tropical”, so I was excited to try “Falling Into the Sea”, by Nica Galas. I was not as happy when I sprayed it on, as it has the unfortunate characteristics of a cleaning product when first sprayed, especially liberally, like I did. However, I do persevere in these matters, and it settled down some. Of all the Imaginary Authors scents, this is the least satisfying to me – the citrus is not balanced against the flowers the way I would like. I do smell the tropical flowers slightly, but the harsher aspects of the citrus elements overpower them. Were the citrus elements sweeter, even, I would be okay with this, but my nose is unhappy.  As always, just because I don’t care for something doesn’t mean you should count it out, It could smell amazing on different skin.

Notes: Lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, lychee, tropical flowers, warm sand

“L’Orchidee Terrible”, by Audrey Blavot, is a feminine fragrance of the cheap drugstore variety.  Please don’t interpret that as meaning it smells fruity or synthetic. I mean it more as a paean to the drugstore scents of the 60’s – blasting with aldehydes and soap, being worn by a bottle blonde in a tight fuzzy sweater. As the scent progresses, it becomes slightly bitter, like the blonde’s dark roots showing a little too much. Although this is not a scent that sits well on my skin, I admire its brashness, and recommend it to people who like slightly chilly, brassy perfumes.

Notes: Orchid, honey, muguet, aldehydes, white musk, satin

I have a lot of friends who go crazy for animalic, unusual scents. They are going to go wild for “Bull’s Blood”, by Devante Valereo. I remember being really intrigued by this perfume when I first tested it during my Imaginary Authors orgy. To say this is a difficult perfume is not giving it enough credit somehow, but it is certainly not easy. I think this might be one of the few truly human perfumes I have worn. It doesn’t smell fecal, but it smells like hair and skin and blood, that have all come together in some terrifyingly passionate act. It has an air of antiquity, too, like you are smelling the old clothing of the one who committed this act, deeply inhaling to catch every memory.  The perfume is also beautiful and emotional, and I admire it greatly. Will I wear it? It’s hard to say. Time will tell. Will it haunt me? Absolutely.

Notes: Patchouli, Rose, Costus root, tobacco, black musk, bull’s blood

Vanilla lovers will appreciate “Memoirs of a Trespasser”, by Phillip Sava. It is soft and woody, but still rich and boozy like a good vanilla should be. This is cozy upon cozy, with myrrh and guaiacwood at the heart.  Vanilla scents can skew very gourmand and sweet, or quite dry. Memoirs of a Trespasser straddles the line between; dry in that it is not caramel-laden, but gourmand in that it is still rich and dark. This is a nose-glued-to-wrist perfume for me; it’s elegant, evocative of a warm hearth, and delicious.

Notes: Madagascar vanilla, guaiacwood, myrrh, benzoin resin, ambrette seeds, oak barrels

The first few moments of “Violet Disguise”, by Lenora Blumberg, are a bit discomfiting, as they remind me of a food I can’t quite put my finger on. Fortunately, that dissipates quickly, and what remains is an intriguing, piquant twist on the fruity floral. Just a pinch of violet is the flower here, and its dusty, antiquated scent combines well with the tangy top note of plum and the dense heart note of dried fruits. The dried fruits are not stewed in booze to make them more palatable, but chewy and hard on your teeth. Their sweetness is difficult to find, and buried deep in the scent. I prefer the drydown of this fragrance to the opening. It is unusual, a bit tart and soothing at the same time.

Notes: Plum, violet, dried fruits, balsam, amber, evening air, the month of May

“The Cobra and the Canary”, by James Spundt, is a masterful tobacco leather scent. This is an unabashedly masculine fragrance, brimming with heat and danger. Of course, women are going to love it, too, the kind of women who revel in smelling like smoky leather jackets and hazy corner bars. There is a bit of lemony bite up top, and a snarl of orris root lurking in the middle.  But mostly this is leather, and a really good one. The synopsis for this “book” reads: “We were driving faster than dammit, headed due west for a place called Anywhere But Here.”  The perfume conjures this scenario perfectly; the road, the passion, the hot tuck and roll leather seats. Get in your car and drive.

Notes: Lemon, tobacco flowers, orris root, leather, hay fields, asphault

Josh Meyer has done a great job with this collection. Finding a new line that is imaginative, artfully  produced, diverse and unique all at once is surprising and welcome. I encourage everyone to sample this nicely affordable line, as I am confident there is something for everyone here. Samples are available on the Imaginary Authors website, individually or in sets. 

As a special treat to CaFleureBon readers, Josh is offering a full sample set to THREE lucky commenters. Leave a comment on what appeals to you the most  about this concept or the fragrance you can "imagine" falling for.  Draw closes November 15, 2012.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

Tama Blough, Senior Editor

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62 comments

  • I really love this concept!I love fragrances that make me remember some moments of your life, that make me feel and think, I guess that The Soft Lawn should be perfect for me, I like the story behind this fragrances too.

  • As a librarian myself, I’d have to say this is an imaginative idea and one bound to get your attention! The attention spent to the detail on the bottles and package is quite remarkable. Being a Fitzgerald fan, I think I’ll go with “The Soft Lawn” Thank you!

  • This was such a treat to read! I imagine I’d fall for Memoirs of a Trespasser, that vanilla sounds so intriguing.

  • The concept is great and what appeals to me is the packaging. “The Soft Lawn” is the fragrance that is calling my name. love the reviews Tama 🙂

  • I’m very intrigued by this. I’m not sure I really understand some of the notes in these perfumes. Bulls Blood and Asphault and Fresh Tennis Balls? I’m very very curious about them. Even though you said you did not like it much, I think I might be more drawn to Falling into the Sea. Thank you for the draw

  • Memoirs of a Trespasser sounds great too…i think that would be my choice for the cooler weather….

  • Look at the bookmarks!!! How clever and adorable. I am so sick of scents of place I could scream, so thank you, Josh Meyer, for the breath of fresh air. What an original idea, and the labels are fabulous. I’ll take L’Orchidee Terrible for the pretty pink bottle and Soft Lawn for the scent, please.

  • A friend send me a couple of samples – Memoirs and the Cobra and the Canary. I really enjoyed the latter and want to spend more time with it. However, the fragrance that is calling to me is Bull’s Blood. Sounds like a must try.

  • I think I would love Memoirs of a Trespasser, into boozy vanilla these days 🙂
    Nice design of the bottles and the website, btw!

  • It’s a very clever concept that’s executed exceptionally well. Love it! Memoirs of a Trespasser is the one I bet I’d fall for.
    Thanks for the draw 🙂

  • One I see myself totally falling for is Violet Disguise! I love violet, love amber! Sounds like a really great one! Thanks for the draw!

  • I could definitely fall for Memoirs of a Trespasser and Violet Disguise. I also love the bookcover bottles. Thanks for the draw.

  • I went into the store in Portland that stocks this just to snif these out. they are amzing. the store, not so much. Sometime high concept has a cold edge to it, but the perfumes are so intriguing and not cold at all. I’dloveto getmy hands on th sampleset and in answer to the question: ‘I know I love the cobra and the canary.’

  • What a lovely concept! The bottles, the photos, the imaginary stories never written, took a lot of work! My favorite of all is the Cobra and the Canary, it looksa absolutely yummy!!

  • It’s a fantastic concept, really funny and well-designed.
    Imaginary books that I would like all, and related fragrances very interesting. I love it.
    Bull’s Blood sounds great.

  • I like the vintage touch, humor and kind of personal touch through thr pictures. As if the fragrances are made for the people on the pics. Would love to try the Violet Disguise. Sounds wonderful.

    As if a whole imaginary olfactive world has been created.

  • I love the sound of this quirky little brand. The bottles are also beautiful, with a unique, artistic flair.

    Cobra and the Canary sounds like my cup of tea. I love leather and tobacco.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • The bottles look really cool! I think the one best suited for me would be Memoirs Of A Trespasser, with its warm, oriental notes…

  • this looks like an interesting concept and I love the presentation
    I think I could fall for “Cobra and the Canary”
    thanks for the draw

  • Very original and unique, the bottles and concept are fab. How could I resist the danger lurking in “The Cobra and the Canary” ? Thanks!

  • Love those bottles…very unique!
    My choice would be “Memoirs of a Trespasser”.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • It appears nostalgic in nature but in a very appealing way that fits in modern times. The linen scent sounds great and I love tobacco scents.

  • This was such a treat to read! Love love love the concept!
    And it’s a bit hard to tell which of these would appeal to me the most cause they all sound unique and awesome! Memoirs of a Trespasser sounds like a lovely comfort scent, but Bull’s Blood sounds like something quite special and out there and a must try.

  • I love the concept. I’m very interested in Bull’s Blood but I would probably fall for Memoirs of a Trespassers. Thanks for the draw!

  • Very interesting concept. Very intriguing compositions.
    I think Soft lawn would smell fantastic. Also L’orchidee terrible has something tempting : the aldehydes.

    Thank you for the draw.

  • This collection really appeals to me as I am both a total bookworm and scentoholic! I love it when a concept is created from something from a totally different field than the one you’re working in.
    I would have to say that Memoirs of A Trespasser seems easy to fall for, judging from your description – “nose glued to wrist”, and “cozy upon cozy” – I can almost pseudo-smell it right now!

  • Oh what interesting notes! Great concept! It ‘a very difficult choice…but I’m intrigued by Violet Disguise. I’m curious about evening air and the month of May 🙂

  • I’m a sucker for anything related to literature so I love this concept. Memoirs of a Trespasser is a great name and boozy vanilla usually works for me!
    The Cobra and the Canary does sound intriguing – I need to explore leather fragrances.

  • I like the idea, but I don’t know why the scents couldn’t have been based on real books — maybe that’s been done already? Anyway, Violet Disguise is probably the one I’d like to test. Thanks for the honest review and draw!

  • I’m a book lover first and foremost, so this concept is really intriguing to me; I love the original concept of imaginary books and authors. Bull’s Blood sounds fascinating.

  • The Cobra and the Canary or Bull’s Blood sound most interesting to me. I find that a story, whether a personal experience, someone else’s impression, or a well thought out marketing angle is necessary for me to really appreciate a fragrance.

  • what don’t i love about this concept?
    i love perfume, i love books.
    i smell, i read, i write.

    so there.

    and i think it would be bull’s blood for me.

  • Is this the same Josh behind Slumberhouse? I had just received some samples of those last week and they look aesthetically the same.

    As for which one I would be falling for: “The Cobra and the Canary”. The name itself conjures up many thoughts and images, but I’m also fond of tobacco and leather; two scents that always put me in a contemplative state (which is good for writing!).

  • Love the concept and many sound intriguing. Memoirs of a Trespasser sounds like something I would like. Thanks for the draw.

  • Another vote for Memoirs of a Trespasser here! I love the concept- I majored in literature after all! The presentation and description makes me feel like I have stepped back into the fifties- although in the real world I was never there. Thanks for the draw!

  • Love the concept ( I work in a bookstore) . I was intrigued by the snippet from The Cobra and the Canary”, the image of traveling hellbent for “anywhere but here”. The fragrance sounds fantastic -tobacco and leather. The other scent that captured me was Memoirs of a Trespasser – vanilla boozy is my favorite vanilla, but the Cobra gets my first pick!

  • The cobra and the canary is the one that captures my imagination right now. I just love the whole idea of perfumes/scenarios! How intriguing!

  • These remind me of the made-up books that appear in Wes Anderson movies! All the scents sound amazing, but Memoirs of a Trespasser seems to be right up my alley.

  • Bulls Blood sounds terrifying, yet strangely I am drawn to it. I am fascinated by the concept and can’t wait to test these out. Thanks for the draw!

  • Lovely marketing concept. No one can say that the marketing is not truthful, as the ‘authors’ are all made up anyway.

    Memoirs of a Trespasser sounds great. Thanks for the draw.

  • I think it is a more purist idea considering the move to e-books. I am unsure that many people are going to necessarily recognize the authors by name but its a unique concept. Thank you for the draw.

  • I love the concept!
    Always coveted the Perfume (story of a murderer) coffret, and frequently make up fragrances/flavors based on books/fiction…but sometimes feel like actually doing that might intrude on someone else’s creative work or alter another fan’s perception (kind of like how seeing a movie of a book with a very different-looking character from the one in one’s head will be a little jarring)
    so why not invent the books as well!

    Thanks for the reviews and the draw. I am so intrigued by Bull’s Blood but Memoirs of a Trespasser would probably be the one I’d reach for every day. I love cuddly vanillas.

  • I’m sure that I could fall for Violet Disguise!

    I like this concept very much. Our reception of perfumes is so complex and affected by all of our knowledge and memories. So why not inspire more creative thought?

  • It’s an interesting concept, though I’d like it better if it was built around real authors, with whom I’d have a real connection. Of course, there would then also be the risk of “yuck, no matter how good the perfume is, I hate that writer.”

    The one that interests me the most of your list is the soft lawn, with the bloody one coming next.

  • I do have a fondb=ness for Vanilla so let me choose “Memoirs of a Trespasser” from Phillip Sava. Great concept I agree. Thanks for this draw, very generous.

  • In a word (or 5) “I Love Making Stuff Up”. I did an entire paintings series called “The Maggot Broth of Memory” where I would take an old photograph and make up the story as I was painting from the photograph. My favorite is “Hell, Ben Ain’t Dead”. If I win I will share the story. It’s hysterical!

    xoxoA – and thanks for the draw!

  • Bulls bloodm i’m crazy for animalic scents and this sounds like a winner.
    Thank you for the draw, it seems a very interesting line!

  • Wow, very interesting. I could certainly imagine falling for Bull’s Blood. You had me at animalic!

  • I just received a bottle of Memoirs last week! A total winner in my book. Smells absolutely fab on my DH as well. I truly am one of Josh’s newest fans. Haven’t tried all but did get samples of The Soft Lawn and Violet Disguise. Love the bookmark idea also for samples..Genius Josh.

  • I’m both a fragrance addict and an English professor. There is nothing about this concept that I do not love. (And now I’m thinking about trying some smell-based writing prompts with my students…thanks!)

  • I am an avid reader and I always paid attention to fragrances that have a connection with literature. It is a mix of two special things and they will always have a stronger echo for me.

    Memoirs of a Trespasser would be my choice of “falling for” too.

    Thanks!

  • Interesting house. I like the concept and the graphics. I think “the cobra and the canary” is the one I would pick up to try first. Stilll looking for my holy grail of leather that wont turn a generic chemical amber on me. Maby this is it?

  • Interesting concept and good marketing (well chosen packaging, names and photos).
    “The Soft Lawn” could be the perfume I loved the most. I’m always looking for a green fragrance to fall for.

  • Being a bit of a perfume snob, I’m intrigued by anything new, I’m female but love my scents on the masculine side.