Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne Review (Cyrille Carles) + Virtual Paris Draw

 

Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne inspired by Paris

Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne courtesy of Strada Parfumerie

Dubai-based co-founder Mishal Al Marzouqi is a world traveler and has been a perfume lover since early childhood. In 2014 he and his partner Mohamed launched the brand Strada Parfumerie.  At that time, they created bespoke fragrances for a private clientele inclusive of members of the Royal Family (Vogue Arabia, Aug. 30, 2020). In 2018 they decided to launch a collection for the public. It took 2 years for them to re-brand, but by summer’s end this year they released four travel-themed fragrances inspired by luxe shopping locations: Paris’ Avenue Montaigne, London’s Sloane St., New York City’s Fifth Avenue and Rome’s Via Veneto (It was in a shop on Sloane Street that Mishal and Mohamed first met.). When it came to selecting perfumers they exercised the same specificity: Christian Carbonnel was chosen for his mastery with exotic materials (both Sloane St. and Fifth Avenue are oud-based); Cyrille Carles, grandson of the great Jean Carles – hailed from a Grasse perfumery, ergo Avenue Montaigne; and the Italian house of Moelhausen was to represent the Via Veneto (reviewed by Samantha here).

 

Strada parfumerie Avenue Montaigne by Cyrille Carles

Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne courtesy of Strada Parfumerie

I chose Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne to review for many reasons – one of which was that I was curious how perfumer Cyrille Carles would interpret this theme. The only work I’m familiar with is that which he had done for our friend Sarah Barton of The Pink Room; both Darkly Audacious and Parfum Pour Toi were his compositions. I’m also more familiar with that street than the other three.

Avenue Montaigne Paris

Image via unsplash

The avenue itself is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris and dedicated to high fashion, not bon marché or mainstream fare. The likes of Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Chanel, Valentino, Bvlgari and Harry Winston have taken up residence over the years.

Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne review

Leather gloves image collage by Michelyn

Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne is bold and unapologetic from the start. It smells like extremely expensive leather goods laced gingerly with florals and intrepidly musky, woody elements. In many ways, it reminds me of a brand new high-end automobile interior, say Mercedes Benz or Bentley. Inferred leather assumes the form suggested by burnished bronze/copper-hued saffron, time-honored birch tar and furthered by the raspy woody labdanum-like Amberwood F® (Symrise). This conjures up the enticing, come-hither aroma of luggage and bags by Louis Vuitton, Prada, Bottega Veneta and Longchamp, to name but a few. Anyone who revels in the odor of fine leather will recognize this immediately (I could never walk into Bergdorf’s without a customary frisson as my nostrils quivered: the first thing you smell is all that gorgeous leather!). There is the fleeting introduction of bergamot and well-blended non-indolic jasmines with a soupçon of rose. Fir resin contributes a delicately jammy touch tempered by the dry balsamic nature of cedar. Vanilla seems to play a supporting role, rather sotto voce – while musks feel fleshy, amplifying the existing leathery quality of Avenue Montaigne. The fragrance is well-integrated overall, consistent and elegant. It feels utterly genderless; one cannot help but feel soigné in its sillage.

Notes: bergamot, saffron, jasmine, Amberwood F® (Symrise), ambergris, Moroccan jasmine, rose, birch, fir resin, cedar, vanilla, musk

Samples kindly provided by Strada Perfumerie. My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Senior Editor and Natural Perfumery Editor

 

Strada Avenue Montaigne

image courtesy of Strada Parfumerie

Thanks to the generosity of Strada Parfumerie, we have a 30 ml bottle of Avenue Montaigne for one registered reader WORLDWIDE.  YOU MUST BE REGISTERED To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what interests you based on Ida’s review and where you live. Draw closes 9/18/2020

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60 comments

  • I love leather as a note in perfumes and most of my collection is composed on leather-centered fragrances. Looking at the note pyramid for this one, I am sure Avenue Montaigne would be a great addition to any leather enthusiast.
    I am in EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • Armando esparza jr says:

    Not many dislike the smell of a new car leather smell, thus, having a scent resembling an expensive and enticing leather smell with florals and raspy, woody, labdamum-like amberwood. Yum!
    Los Angeles, Ca. UsA

  • Fabulous! This fragrance sounds like its designed for seduction – leathery and beautiful! I enjoyed hearing what it reminds Ida of to help give us all an idea (who haven’t put our noses on it). I live in the USA.

  • i love leather fragrances especially when i read that its a remainder of expensive cars interior im intriguing to try it.

    I live in Athens, Greece

  • Enjoyed reading the story behind Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne, and other perfumes. No experience with the brand, but given that they created bespoke fragrances for the royal family, among others, says a lot about the high quality they must have. With leather and other floral and animalic notes, such as musk and ambergris, it seems to be a rich, bold perfume. Thanks for the generous draw and the review. Writing from the USA.

  • Avenue Montaigne not far from where Opera Goddess Maria Callas lived at Avenue Georges Mandel, at the most famous Parisian arrondissement, the 8th, with the Eiffel tower like a lighthouse in the heart of the city, a great place to be inspired and create a fragrance. The olfactive pyramid could not be more heavenly and complex with the muskiness of the rose, sweetness of the amber, the aromatic turpentine dryness of the cedar and fir resin, and finally the bountiful lascivious leather as base note.
    Ida approached the company curious how perfumer Cyrille Carles had interpreted and I would have followed the same rule, artists have a wide spectrum of creativity and a complex palette of emotions that inspires them. A fragrance to be discovered and create new happy memories. I am in Ireland. Thank you

  • I have almost every perfume from the Pink Room so I am already familiar with Cyrille. Most importantly, I have many classic creations from Jean Carles including Ma Griffe and the ones he did for Schiaparelli. Avenue Montaigne is a leather perfume that smells of the interior of a luxury car so it intrigues me. USA.

  • wandering_nose says:

    Thank you for the review Ida! Everything seems so ultimately exquisite about this fragrance… The founders of the brand, the brand’s origins and noble history, the ever so desired shopping streets in the world’s capitals, the creators involved. And the notes… The notes had me sold on this one straight away. Plus the fact it’s a total unisex and I have been veering into that territory more in the recent times. Having this bottle would make me happy and as a side effect, it could also serve as cure for my eternal dream to own a bag by Prada or Bottega Veneta :). Commenting from Ireland

  • I appreciated Ida’s description of the fragrance from this statement: “Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne is bold and unapologetic from the start. It smells like extremely expensive leather goods laced gingerly with florals and intrepidly musky, woody elements. In many ways, it reminds me of a brand new high-end automobile interior, say Mercedes Benz or Bentley”, and helping us to appreciate that, eventhough its leathery, it won’t be overly animalic, this being helped by the touch of rose, the clean jasmine, and the vanilla.

    I live in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne is bold and unapologetic from the start. It smells like extremely expensive leather goods laced gingerly with florals and intrepidly musky, woody elements. In many ways, it reminds me of a brand new high-end automobile interior, say Mercedes Benz or Bentley. Inferred leather assumes the form suggested by burnished bronze/copper-hued saffron, time-honored birch tar and furthered by the raspy woody labdanum-like Amberwood F® (Symrise). This conjures up the enticing, come-hither aroma of luggage and bags by Louis Vuitton, Prada, Bottega Veneta and Longchamp, to name but a few. Anyone who revels in the odor of fine leather will recognize this immediately (I could never walk into Bergdorf’s without a customary frisson as my nostrils quivered: the first thing you smell is all that gorgeous leather!). There is the fleeting introduction of bergamot and well-blended non-indolic jasmines with a soupçon of rose. Fir resin contributes a delicately jammy touch tempered by the dry balsamic nature of cedar. Vanilla seems to play a supporting role, rather sotto voce – while musks feel fleshy, amplifying the existing leathery quality of Avenue Montaigne. The fragrance is well-integrated overall, consistent and elegant. It feels utterly genderless; one cannot help but feel soigné in its sillage.

    Notes: bergamot, saffron, jasmine, Amberwood F® (Symrise), ambergris, Moroccan jasmine, rose, birch, fir resin, cedar, vanilla, musk. A beautiful description by Ida I found leather are hard note at first but I appreciate it much more now than before. Intrigued by the notes especially musks. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • I avoid wearing leather, but perfumes with the note is a whole other beast. Avenue Montaigne sounds utterly delightful: I am wondering about the way they used fir resin to create an illusion of leather, so fingers crossed!
    Thank you for the draw. I’m from Russia

  • The fragrance is well-integrated overall, consistent and elegant. It feels utterly genderless; one cannot help but feel soigné in its sillage.

    Notes: bergamot, saffron, jasmine, Amberwood F® (Symrise), ambergris, Moroccan jasmine, rose, birch, fir resin, cedar, vanilla, musk. I am intrigued by leather as an accord this one seems like a leather lovers dream come true in a fragrance. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Oh boy – leather, woods and the interior of a great automobile – I’m in!
    Sounds sublime.
    Pennsylvania USA

  • I would expect a leather based fragrance inspired by the high end shops in Paris. A well blended leather perfume is the epitome of elegance and old money. The entire composition sounds seamless with the addition of florals, fir, cedar and vanilla. I can see how the overall impression is unisex. Commenting from the US

  • i am intrigued by Ida’s description of how saffron, birch tar, and Amberwood F are joined to make “inferred leather.” It makes me eager to give it a whiff. Who wouldn’t want to be “soigné in its sillage”? In the US, in North Carolina.

  • Dear Ida, thank you for your always great review, you paint beautifully olfactory picture of Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne:”The fragrance is well-integrated overall, consistent and elegant. It feels utterly genderless; one cannot help but feel soigné in its sillage.”
    I live in USA

  • I liked the description of Avenue Montaigne with its expensive smelling leather accord, in addition of saffron and cedar. Mich USA

  • I love that this perfume is reminiscent of leather from expensive bags, luggage, and gloves, nicely blended with florals and ambergris. I’m very drawn to it. The inspiration and packaging are chic and beautiful. I am in the USA.

  • I didn’t know much about this house so I really love the introduction. Notes of this perfume really sound interesting. I love leathery, mucky scents. The parallel Ida draws between this perfume and new interior of a luxury car or language and bags makes me feel like I can almost smell this perfume. I would really love to try it. I live in Illinois, USA.

  • What interests me most about this from idea’s review was when she said it was unapologetic and that is so refreshing. I love when a perfume doesn’t try to stay in the middle to appeal to as many as possible but rather be unabashedly itself in all it’s big bold beauty.

    I’m from Ireland.

  • Great fragrance based on leather scent. For me it’s a chance to try something very special like Avenue Montaigne. I love the leather fragrance on my skin.
    I’m form Eu, thanks for the draw!

  • Andreea Florica says:

    I want to say cause I love the smell of leahter things like jackets or leather shoes. All products made by leather is like an magnet for me. This fragance is perfect for me. Avenue Montaigne give me the chance to win this and I want to thank you for the draw.
    I’m from Eu.

  • Love a good leather perfume and in this case i am especially intrigued by the combination with Moroccan Jasmine. thanks for the great review! Living in the EU

  • Thanks for the draw. It is so long ago I lived in Paris and sometimes forget things. But I don’t forget the smell and ambiance of Avenue Montaigne. The perfume sounds great. I live in the EU.

  • I have never interract with the brand before, but aside the fact that the notes are very elegant I started to be curious when I have read that they created for royals.Also “the smell of a new luxury car” was a plus.I live in Italy

  • Nice review. I actually love Paris, and not being able to travel these days, I feel that even a little hint through the scent of this city would be very uplifting. Also, the thought of smelling like an expensive car sounds intriguing.
    I am from EU.

  • Avenue Montaigne, the real street, is quintessential high-fashion Paris. Since we’re unable to travel, to go to Paris (and Paris boutiques!) via a scent is absolutely dreamy. From Ida’s review, I can imagine stepping into a flagship store of one of these well-known brands, and see the smooth, creamy leather handbags spotlighted on the display shelves, exuding luxury and that unforgettable rich scent. To be honest, I’m already there. Based in the US.

  • “It smells like extremely expensive leather goods laced gingerly with florals and intrepidly musky, woody elements” — well, this sparked my interest! I am very curious about this fragrance. I live in Italy.

  • Wonderful review, Ida. Thank you for the draw. You got me at extremely leather goods, Labdanum like Amberwood and Vanilla. But especially the divine leather. I live in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

  • Danny Constantinescu says:

    I am very familiar with Sloane Street, being a Londoner, but ive never visited the other 3 shopping streets so I’d be very curious to smell this. I’m also a leather perfumes freak, so that should be right up my alley (pardon the poor pun).
    I live in London, UK.

  • I am so excited about the Strada fragrances, the house the concept.
    Watching them on instagram and reading your draws makes me even more interested.
    Would love to win this scent, loving leather-fragrances.
    I am from Germany.

  • I’d be very curious about a line of fragrances that took two years to launch, and more curious to smell the luxury shopping 🙂
    I’m in Europe.

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    This sounds fantastic. I love leather but sometimes I find it hard to pull off but your description of the “expensive leather goods laced gingerly with florals and intrepidly musky, woody elements” sounds so, so good! Thanks for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • Sounds amazing – Strada seems like a new house to keep your eye on!
    Wish it was available in US!!
    NY, US

  • Monica Beaton says:

    As always, Ida’s reviews have me reaching for my credit card and wondering how on earth I’m going to find the reviewed fragrance in Australia. And may I also say how much I love Michelyn’s collage – I may do something similar with my wedding gloves just to steal a beautiful image. There is something very compelling about the scent of “money” – I remember my first ride in a vintage Jaguar – the leather and oiled wood – an old money scent like no other. I too drift toward the handbags and shoes in high end stores….not just for the scent but….I love the story of Strada – a new house for me, but I’m intrigued. Thank you for another fragrant review, and thank you Strada Parfumerie for such an incredibly generous draw.

  • Haven’t tried Strada Parfumerie fragrances before but have heard great things about them! I love the bottle design, and the combination of leather, floral, musky and woody notes sounds wonderful.
    Hong Kong

  • What intrigues me are the notes and the fact that it is French Perfumerie. I am a fan of most French perfumes, so I am optimistic about this brand, but the notes sound rich and they look like they compliment each other nicely. Kind regards from Illinois, USA.

  • I love bold perfumes! No shrinking violets or delicate scents needed. I live in New Zealand, we have difficulties accessing newer niche frags so would love to try Avenue Montaigne!

  • A fragrance that reminds someone of the interior of a Bentley is right up my alley. I love the leather note and this one sounds great for the cooler months ahead! USA

  • I want a perfume that smells like the inside if a Bentley. I once had a pair of Bvlgari sunglasses I bought in Milan, I don’t know what they sprayed inside the case, but it was intoxicating. I left them on a plane… I still miss that smell. I imagine this is similar, smells like a little bit of luxury.
    ~ Canada

  • Thank you for your review Ida. I really enjoyed reading about your curious approach. I love reading about how creative perfumers can be and how they use their emotions to inspire their fragrances.
    Avenue Montaigne sounds like a fragrance I need to discover and experience.

    UK

  • John Michael Jones says:

    I live in Boston, Ma. & Ida caught my attention by comparing this scent to the interior of a Mercedes Benz &/or a Bentley! I LOVE leather based fragrances.

  • Avenue Montaigne smells like “extremely expensive leather goods laced gingerly with florals and intrepidly musky, woody elements”…. a mix that I find rather irresistible!
    Also this fragrance is consistent, elegant and I find rather intriguing the feel “soigné in its sillage”.
    I am in Athens, Greece.

  • The description of different leather facets in Ida’s skillful and well chosen words was most fascinating. I have recently gotten more interested in leather in a perfume, with Kelly Caleche, Cuir de Russie and Bandit (my newbie nose wasn’t ready for it before, I think), and I would love to smell more leather centered perfumes, the wonderful Avenue Montaigne included. I also loved it being described as elegant and absolutely unisex.
    I live in the EU.

  • Absolutely loved the description of the leather note – It smells like extremely expensive leather goods laced gingerly with florals and intrepidly musky, woody elements. In many ways, it reminds me of a brand new high-end automobile interior, say Mercedes Benz or Bentley. It sounds like a very smooth leather note. I’d love to try it as I’ve never tried anything from this perfume house.
    I live in the USA.

  • Bold and Unapologetic is how I’d like to be seen. If Ida gets that from this perfume, I want to try it! I am in the USA.

  • Ida always has a truly lyrical approach to her descriptions. They make one want to go out and purchase immediately. Thank you to Ida for her beautiful review and many thanks to Strada Parfumerie for making this draw possible. I’m in the USA

  • Leather with hints of jasmine sound deliciously elegant, and I’d love to try this one! Thanks to CaFleureBon, Ida and of course Strada Parfumerie for the chance to win!

  • I’m always intrigued by fragrances that are, whether metaphorically or literally, meant to represent a place plus leather scents are a favourite of mine.
    I hail from Alberta Canada.

  • Michael Prince says:

    Ida, great review of Avenue Montaigne. This sounds like a complex and classy leather scent accented by florals, spicy saffron, smoky and resinous labdanum, and woods…what’s not to like? I am from Ohio, USA.

  • Excellent review by Ida! This fragrance sounds amazing, especially if you love leather. I was intrigued by:” Strada Parfumerie Avenue Montaigne is bold and unapologetic from the start. It smells like extremely expensive leather goods laced gingerly with florals and intrepidly musky, woody elements. In many ways, it reminds me of a brand new high-end automobile interior, say Mercedes Benz or Bentley.” I absolutely want to feel soigné in its sillage. Thanks for the generous giveaway and I live in the US!

  • Ooh, that burst of fine leather when you walk into an upscale shop. There’s something I haven’t smelled in quite a while–thanks for the memory! I love a good leather fragrance, thank you for the review. I’m in the US.

  • Enjoyed the article. I like how Avenue Montaigne is consistent and elegant. Haven’t tried this or any other fragrance from this House.
    Thank You for the draw. Ca

  • Yum, leather. This sounds really beautiful, smooth, and elegant. I enjoyed the introductory background for the house too. I live in the USA. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • The idea of combining the smell of expensive leather either in a high end shop or new car with florals sounds heavenly. I’m very curious to try it, and I like the inspiration of these famous streets around the world. I live in the USA.

  • “t smells like extremely expensive leather goods laced gingerly with florals and intrepidly musky, woody elements”. That sentence just bought me immediately – it’s everything I love i a scent. It might be a perfect signature scent for someone often walking i a suit and wanting to stand out. Thank you for that review! Poland, EU

  • I have never experienced this brand, but I love Paris. It is definitely one of the places that captures my heart. And with not being able to travel now, this review managed to evoke such wonderful memories. I must admit I am new to leather perfumes, but this sounds amazing.

    California, USA