THEZOO Spacewood (Christophe Laudamiel and Christoph Hornetz) 2016 & Rhubarb My Love (Christophe Laudamiel) 2017~New Perfume Reviews + Laudable Laudamiel Draw

Christophe Laudamiel digitalized by Robert

Perfumer Christophe Laudamiel’s new fragrance company THEZOO is sure to be one of the most talked about perfume launches of the year; lauded, misunderstood and adored. Christophe defies convention, and happily so. THEZOO is the line of fragrances that M. Laudamiel always dreamed of creating.

Virgin No 1 (2006) Christophe Laudamiel

These are cerebral fragrances that push the boundaries of what scent should and could be and are bound only by M. Laudamiel’s seemingly unlimited imagination. You will know Christophe Laudamiel from his creations; Polo Blue for Ralph Lauren, Thierry Mugler Le Parfum Coffret (based on the smells from Perfume: The Story of A Murderer in collaboration with Christoph Hornetz), and numerous others for Nest, Strangelove, and Humiecki & Graef. Christophe is a world-class nose, a true renegade, and a one-off who is fearless in his desire to break the “fragrant ceiling”. He creates scents that immediately engage, disarm, and force you to consider and rethink your perceptions of perfume as a whole. He is the winner of Art and Olfaction’s 2017 Contribution to Scent Award and the only U.S. Osmotheque Osmocurator. Christophe is the author of “The Perfume Manifesto” (Liberté, Égalité, Fragrancité), one of my all-time favorite perfume essays and one of the smartest and most engaging treatises on the industry today. Starting a perfume company from scratch has not been an easy task. Says Christophe: “The Zoo is just one of the latest projects of DreamAir LLC, but the start-up has been a long hard road. This is a company the likes of which the industry has never seen in its history nor in its custom.”

Christophe explains what is REALLY in your perfume and who created it. No hype or marketing speak, courtesy of Christophe©

His new scent creations for THEZOO are exactly what you would expect from M. Laudamiel; thoughtful, intriguing, off the charts and out of this world. Currently there are eight perfumes in four new classifications which are: FRESH: "An easy to wear fragrance, a breath of fresh air and good energy for you and the people around you.” SEXY: "Deep and sensual fragrances, full-bodied but not necessarily heavy, but sure to leave an impression. Watch people around you as you wear these fragrances." RAW: "Blunt, straight forward and explicit fragrances. What you see on the fragrance label is what you get. Direct smells. FORBIDDEN: "You and your fragrance like to go against accepted standards. You're comfortable being a paradigm-breaker: wear FORBIDDEN in public or whispering behind closed doors.These smells are banned by experts or by countries where they won’t be shipped, due to their ingredient content, proportions or creation methods."

Perfumer Christoph Hornetz courtesy ©

The fragrances are unlike anything I’ve come across…ever. The range is an extraordinary exercise in observation, contrast, and contemplation. I was given five to try; Everlasting (Dark, Narcissus, Sensuous) Louis (Fresh, Positive, Sensuous with two different labels), Scent Tattoo (Sexy, Leather, Woody, Plush) and Spacewood and Rhubarb My Love, the latter two are the two I loved most of all:

David Bowie Digitalized from the movie The Man Who Fell to Earth by Robert©

Spacewood: (C. Laudamiel & C. Hornetz):“This world was too small for him and so he flew to space, where he found some out-of-this-world love. Scent Trampoline into the future. A scent can be abstract, helping you think into the future. Beside man-made molecules, some natural extracts can be used for that purpose. Spray, close your eyes, and think of nothing." Although listed as a “Fresh” fragrance, I would place this in the “Forbidden” category. There’s something of the bad boy in this scent, yet at the same time Spacewood with its calming and out-of-body synthetics, is an exercise in scenting deep space. This smells like sex with Ziggy Stardust or The Man Who Fell to Earth in an airlock miles above the  planet.

Spacewood by Robert Herrmann©

Opening with a whiff of acacia, mimosa, and the boozy acidic tang of white wine, the notes are quickly surrounded by something reminiscent snd redolent of overheating ozonic electrical wires and smoldering plastics or acrylics. I can't exactly place my finger on it, and I can't stop sniffing my wrist it's that compelling. It is also deeply meditative and interstellar. And indescribably wonderful.

THEZOO Rhubarb My Love by Robert

Rhubarb My Love: (C. Laudamiel): “Fresh rhubarb and patience can work wonders." Get ready to start something new. Rhubarb My Love, a name that says it all. Nothing else.” Entrenched solidly in the “Raw” category, Rhubarb My Love is exactly that. And at the same time not. A vibrant and lovely gourmand, Rhubarb My Love will satisfy every sweet tooth, even those who loathe rhubarb the fruit. This is a bright and citrus heavy abstract of rhubarb, and will wear very well in this upcoming holiday season, or at the height of rhubarb spring/summer growing season. There’s also a touch of something like  a crème brûlée burnt caramel, giving the impression of a warm crust rhubarb strawberry pie fresh from the oven. If Lancôme’s recent monster-hit-beast-mode jeunesse La Vie Est Belle makes your teeth ache (as it does mine) with it’s overwhelming candy store vibe, think of Rhubarb My Love as the adult version; a touch sweet, a touch bitter; a compote of smooth and tart rhubarb at the end of a very satisfying meal. Mouthwatering. Interestingly, my spouse who is allergic to anything scented proclaimed this one to be great. Shocked the hell out of me, as that is high praise indeed coming from him.

Disclosure: Thank you SO much to Christophe Laudamiel and THEZOO for supplying my samples. The opinions are my own.

Robert Herrmann, Senior Editor

-Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

THEZOO can be purchased online at www.thezoo.nyc  at Perfumarie in NYC and later this month at Maison Ten.

Fresh Sexy Raw Forbidden courtesy of Christophe©

Thanks to the very generous Christophe Laudamiel and THEZOO we have a reader’s choice of any fragrance or a sample set of all eight for two registered reader anywhere in the world. So be sure to register if you have not done so. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Robert’s review of Spacewood and Rhubarb My Love, which THE ZOO fragrance (or sample kit you choose should you win), if you are familiar with Christophe Laudamiel and if you think you would be a fan of  Fresh, Sexy, Raw or Forbidden and where you live. Draw closes on 11/12/2017.

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

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35 comments

  • Robert’s descriptions of the fragrances were so personal and will told. I actually giggled to myself as Robert told of his spouse , who happens to be allergic of anything SCENTED, proclaimed a liking to Rhubarb My Love. I’m SO INTRIGUED by this Fragrance and it’s not of Rhubarb! The category ” RAW ” really speaks to the ANIMAL In mey mere phrasing alone. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Mr. Laidamiel’s work but I hope that I have to change to get my nose on some of these!

  • Christophe Laudamiel is one of my favorite perfumers. I love his creation S-ex. I believe I might be a fan of the Raw line. The review of Rhubarb My Love was most intriguing to me. I like idea of ” a touch sweet, a touch bitter; a compote of smooth and tart rhubarb at the end”. I am in the US. I would prefer the sample set, if I should win.

  • fazalcheema says:

    I am fortunate to have the Perfume movie set though it took me years to finally obtain one. I am most intrigued by Spacewood, also due to the name becaue space fascinates me. My choice is Spacewood. I am in US

  • oldandsmelly says:

    A perfume described as “smells like sex with Ziggy Stardust or The Man Who Fell to Earth in an airlock miles above the planet.” makes some compelling copy, Robert has a way with words. The sample kit I would choose would be Forbidden as forbidden fruit is always the sweetest. I am not familiar with Christophe Laudamiel but I think I will now acquaint myself with his works, the review made me want to seek out his creations. I think I would be a fan of both Fresh and Forbidden. I like very wearable scents and perfumes that are just not like anything else. I live in the US.

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    “Sex with ziggy stardust” is an incomparable phrase! Love it and the juiciest that rhubarb sounds. I tried laudimiel’s Mugler coffrets…and loved that experience! I recall salon Rouge having a burnt dust radiator note that caught me off guard. The forbidden scents sound wonderful…if I won I’d love the sample set of all of these, though! Thanks for the draw–I’m in the US!

  • How interesting! I am a fan of Theo Fennell Scent and would be most interested in the sample set to explore the line (and I love to share and compare with my perfume-loving friends) Forbidden sounds like my jam. I live in Canada.

  • Robert always has this amazing phrasing when he writes. the perfume practically dances off the page as we read about it. This is my first experience with this house. I loved the concept of Rhubarb My Love. If I won, I’d like the Discovery set so that I could try all of these marvelous sounding fragrances. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Mr. Laidamiel’s work . That Rhubard My Love got my attention a lot, and that’s thanks to the Robert short and great review. The discovery set samples would be my choice so i could try all of them. And yes forbidden is on my alley for sure 🙂 thanks for this great draw, i live in the EU.

  • Oh my…….my nose can’t wait!!! I really liked the labels with a ton of information. Christophe sure has a lot of talent! Interesting to see what “breaking the perfume ceiling” can start up. My choice would be “Rhubarb My Love”. I love rhubarb and my parents have always grown it and still grow it and bring me some for the freezer. Had a cat named “Rhubarb” as well. My Mom makes an amazing rhubarb pudding with some sugary meringue, it might just hit a fond memory. There are not enough fragrances with Rhubarb!! Thanks again for great descriptive writing!! I live in the US.

  • ‘fragrances that push the boundaries of what scent should and could be’ – you had me right there Robert. And then I read The Zoo Guide and loved it even more (An obscure EU law.). And then I read The Perfume Manifesto. I’m in. Big time. Sample set if possible please, I need to try all of them, there is no way I could narrow it down to just one. I’m in Australia.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    OMG! They all Sound wonderfully new and experimental – I love Christophe Laudamiel as a perfumer for years and I am eager to try his new creations. I would love to try Rhubarb My Love because in May/June I eat it all the time.

    Thanks for this draw, I live in the EU!

  • monsieurvetiver says:

    Mastering adjectives is a rare virtue in fragrance writing, and Robert’s text is a perfect example of how to do it. “Meditative”. “Interstellar”. Wow! I love his reviews in general and this one in particular because of its complexity and clarity. He gives us a hint of Laudamiel’s complex world and suggests many interesting questions. I guess I haven’t sniffed any of these, so I’d love to receive the sample set should I win. I’m in Spain (EU).

  • Being a huge fan of rhubarb, I was really impressed by the review. For sure Laudamiel is one of the nost interesting noses around, so his new enterprise is to be followed with great attention! (Expecially…forbidden ahahah!)
    Should I win, I’d like to receive the sample set.
    I live in Italy.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • marcopietro says:

    Wonderful novelties, I have always found original and with very high quality Laudamiel works (by the two Christoph/e) and also this project is fascinating, great concept!
    At the moment my favorite between his fragrances are Askew and Blask (Humiecki & Graef) I love them!
    I’d like to win the sample set.
    I live in EU.
    Thanks!

  • I was just checking out these perfumes a couple days ago after I’d seen them on Christophe’s instagram! I’m most intrigued by the futuristic idea of Spacewood, and the leather Club Design/Scent Tattoo! I’d love to smell Spacewood should I be lucky. I live in EU. Thank you for the draw!

  • Christopher is an extremely talented perfumer. while my mind gravitates toward the forbidden category my heart says I would love a full bottle of Rhubarb My Love based on Robert’s excellent review as I do need a grown up gourmand in my collection. I reside in the USA.

  • The calming aspect of Spacewood and the crème brûlée burnt caramel notes of Rhubarb My Love sounds really appealing! I’m a little bit familiar with Christophe Laudamiel but not near enough. I think I’d be most a fan of Fresh and Sexy but would love to win the sample set! I live in the USA.

  • As always, I like Robert’s review. He describes the scents by the impressions they leave on him and not necessarily by the notes delivered to the public by the perfume company. Although the portrail of “Spacewood” caught my attention and made me think I would like it, I believe “Everlasting” will suit me better because it is categorized as a chypre, and I absolutely love chypres.
    Yes, I read about Christophe Laudamiel and watched different inteviews with him for a long time. I don’t think I have tried a perfume made by him.
    I live in the E.U. Thank you.

  • Whoa! What an interesting collection of fragrances! I am having a hard time selecting just one. I love both Rhubarb My Love and Spacewood. But after looking at their site, I think I’d enjoy Scent Tattoo. I’ve never heard of this perfume house before. Thank you for doing a review on them. I have them on my wishlist now!
    I live in the U.S.

  • I am so excited about Christophe Laudamiel’s new brend. Perfumefour new classifications and their interpretations sounds so intriguing!!! I think I will fan of this 4)
    I’m a little bit familiar with Christophe Laudamiel. As I remember he won “best perfumer” award in some awards in 2016.
    I would like to win Spacewood- very, very intresting, wonderful description-“There’s something of the bad boy”, ” The Man Who Fell to Earth in an airlock miles above the planet.”.
    Thank you Robert for this interesting review!
    from Armenia

  • Thanks Robert for this review- very interesting, very impressive.His Fresh, Sexy, Raw and Forbidden perfumes sound very interesting.But I am courios about Spacewood-I like fresh but masculine fragrances. From Erevan, Armenia

  • I very like this review and the description of the scents is very good. I really enjoyed to read the whole article. I am not familiar with Christophe Laudamiel, and I have never tried any perfume made by him, but I would very like. I think I would be the fan of Raw among these. And If I would win, I would chose Fig My Love. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • I’ve been a fan of M. Laudamiel and his work for some time, and am super excited about his new releases!
    I love rhubarb and the concept of spacewood… it resonates in so many ways. Of course, I am always a fan of Robert’s writing and descriptions. <3 Thank you for this chance to have a sample set for my little museum project. If I win, I would very much love to receive the sample set. I'm in the US

  • These sound so interesting! I would have a very hard time choosing just one, so the sample set would be my choice. I’m in the US, thank you for the generous draw!

  • I am ready to try some new avant garde fragrances, and Spacewood definitely sounds like something out of the ordinary. Other recent releases referencing plastics have missed the mark with me, so it would be interesting to see how this one works. I do love white wine notes. Rhubarb is a favorite note of mine and I will make a point of finding Rhubarb My Love whether I win or not–this fragrance would be my choice. I am familiar with the perfumer from his work with Nest, and own and love Paradise. I think I would like to try the Fresh line first. I live in the US and thank you for this opportunity.

  • Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments and encouragement! Laudamiel is such a rule-breaker (which makes my rebel heart sing) and his manifesto should be perfumista required reading, imho. Again thanks and good luck to all. xoxo Robert H.

  • Wow, after reading this I want to know better the nose behind it – Christophe Laudamiel! I can feel his strong energy through those designs, manifestos and THE ZOO line overall. We need an interview with him, please!
    I would like to win the sample set, thank you!
    Europe

  • While it’s the Forbidden category speaks to me, my wife loves rhubarb and Gourmand, so I’d love to win this to Germany! (rhubarb is a vegetable btw, not a fruit) Thank you for bringing Monsieur Laudamiel to my attention with your lively and enthusiastic review, I will have to keep my eye and nose open.

  • These sound very unusual. Robert has smelled so much, if he hasn’t experienced anything like their scent I’m officially intrigued!I would love to try the sample set.

  • I was impressed with Robert’s description of Rubarb My Love. Rarely are reviews so enthusiastic or convincing. I was surprised that even his scent-adverse spouse liked it. A strong endorsement for sure.
    Forbidden appeals to me. I love anything that goes against accepted standards.
    I’ve not familiar with Christophe Laudamiel.
    I’d choose the sampler.
    I live in the USA.

  • All sound unique. “The fragrances are unlike anything I’ve come across…ever”. For the draw I’d love the bottle of Louis should I be chosen. US

  • Hi thnx for giveaway ….what appealed to me about review was reading about this perfumer thats not afraid to break the mold and try something new ,something risky which i can respect and space wood definitely sounds like an unconventional fragrance and rhubarb my love sounds intriguing too.

    I am unfortunately not familiar with Christophe Laudamiel until now.

    Should I win i think id take everlasting !

    I live in canada,thnx again for generous giveaway

  • I enjoyed Robert’s review of Spacewood and Rhubarb My Love that, he observed, “The range is an extraordinary exercise in observation, contrast, and contemplation.” I live in the US and would choose the sample kit. I am not familiar with Christophe Laudami but am intrigued reading that “Christophe is a world-class nose, a true renegade, and a one-off who is fearless in his desire to break the “fragrant ceiling”. He creates scents that immediately engage, disarm, and force you to consider and rethink your perceptions of perfume as a whole.”

  • Wow I would love to win this! Christophe replied to a comment I made on Insta about the disappearance of Humiecki & Graf perfumes. What an honour! So to say I’m keen on his new venture is an understatement.
    I have to say, the review of Rhubarb My Love draws me in because I am a big lover of gourmands, especially the ones that have a bit of a flipside – a bit of push and pull. As for which to choose if I win – I’d love the sample set, to make a firm decision before buying a full bottle.
    Also, I will always be a fan of the Sexy category – because I want to leave the question in peoples minds “what IS she wearing??”