Cary Grant
When it comes to style men have it easy. If you’re a man and you have a basic suit, a couple of jackets, some shirts and ties to go with a few pairs of dress pants you’re pretty much good to go. You can get dressed and look stylish for almost any occasion. What hasn’t been easy for guys is to find a fragrance as easily stylish as our wardrobe. It isn’t a totally hopeless choice we face but, really guys; there are probably no more than a dozen formal men’s fragrances. That being said I really look forward to finding a new one to go on my “black tie” shelf. The new release from Parfums M. Micallef Style is going to be a new addition to that shelf.
Martine Micallef and Geoffrey Nejman
It is easy to forget that Parfums M. Micallef is really two creative people. Obviously Martine Micallef has her name on the bottle but her husband Geoffrey Nejman also has made some memorable perfumes including one of those fragrances on my “black tie” shelf, Emir. When I took my first sniff of Style M. Nejman’s style was very apparent. Where Emir was an homage to oud, Style is about evolving from spice and smoke into lavender, incense and wood. Style is all about smelling your best while also looking your best.
If you’ve ever been downwind of a bonfire and smelled your clothes as you put them in the laundry a few days later you will have an idea of the early going. There is a slightly musky, slightly smoky initial accord. What is particularly interesting is when the spices show up; cardamom, cinnamon and especially nutmeg comes off like they have been roasted in that imaginary bonfire. It makes for one of the most interesting openings I’ve experienced in quite a while. Then just like a floral breeze lavender arrives and blows away all of the smokiness. A smidge of jasmine and lily of the valley add some sweet and green, respectively, with the green keeping the lavender more on the herbal side of that note. The base gets very strong as an excellent patchouli along with frankincense and sandalwood create a very traditionally masculine base.
George Clooney
Style has outstanding longevity and average sillage.
Johnny Depp
As much as I am talking about Style being a “black tie” fragrance I wore it to the office one day while evaluating it and because the sillage is not overbearing it is also a good everyday fragrance. I noticed that while I was wearing it I definitely felt a little more confident and stylish even without wearing my tux.
Disclosure: This review was based on a mini provided by Parfums M. Micallef.
Thanks to Parfums M. Micallef we have a 10mL press sample of Style to giveaway. To be eligible leave a comment about whether you think Cary Grant, George Clooney or Johnny Depp embodies your idea of "black tie style" and if you have a favorite M Micallef fragrance. Style is available at Osswald NYC. Draw closes October 4, 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 spilt perfume.
-Mark Behnke, Managing Editor
Editor's Note: I JUST had to add Johnny Depp ….MC