-Bond No. 9

It opens with fresh green and citrus notes, and it feels vibrant but not too dry or zesty. The scent is soon enriched and intensified by freesia, and, on the whole, there is a pleasant balance among green, citrus, and floral notes. It is a gentle and refreshing scent.

The scent also seems to possess a sense of movement and energy within itself, which echoes birth and growth after the stagnant winter. It is a great fragrance to be worn and enjoyed on a relaxing warm spring day.

Astor Place was launched in April with a limited-edition Swarovski-decorated bottle for Mother’s Day.

Top notes: grapefruit, cardamom
Middle notes: Cypress wood, geranium leaves, juniper berries
Base notes: cedarwood, leather, guaiacwood

It starts off with a burst of citrusy energy and the woody (and somewhat spicy) impact soon follows. With woody notes among the heart (middle) and the base notes, it is almost woody through and through all the way from its first contact with the nose. Even though it is a lot woodier than most fragrances I am naturally drawn to, I enjoy the fact that it is so sharp and crisp, with a very contemporary feel.

Bond No. 9 describes Brooklyn as a unisex fragrance “with a desirably masculine attitude”, which I find accurate. There are no floral notes in this fragrance, and the scent is certainly neither sweet nor powdery. It poses quite a unique and intriguing contrast to some of the contemporary male fragrances that incorporate floral notes as the main elements. (One of the much discussed examples is Dior’s Dior Homme, which features lavender as a top note and iris as a middle note.)

Overall, Brooklyn is dry, crisp and edgy, and it seems to reflect the sights and sounds of a vibrant urban setting. The essence of this fragrance is also well captured by the colorful and eye-catching graffiti design elements on the flacon.

Brooklyn is available from March in Bond No. 9 boutiques and Saks Fifth Avenue stores. (In the UK, Bond No. 9 is sold exclusively at Harrods.)

Currently Bond No. 9 is holding a bottle design competition for Brooklyn. The only requirement is that the Bond No. 9 circular logo is included on the bottle. (See the official entry sheet below.) Otherwise do let your imagination run wild.

Top notes: lily of the valley, blackcurrant
Middle notes: gardenia, freesia, hedione
Base notes: amber, cedarwood, cardamon, musk

The scent is sweet to begin with, which makes a clear statement of its light-hearted nature, and the richly fruity blackcurrant note is particularly perceivable. The overall flavor takes on a floral dimension as gardenia and freesia join in. They radiate a sense of freshness and are not too intense or powdery. The drydown afterwards feels very soft and gentle.

This is a very easy-to-wear scent. More fruity than floral, it is like a hearty bowl of summer berries adorned by fresh flowers here and there. Summery as the scent feels, it is not too cool to wear in colder weather. I think it is actually a nice fragrance to be appreciated while we anticipate the return of the warming rays of the sun.

Bond No. 9 Saks Boca is sold exclusively at the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Boca Raton. The flacon is available in two versions, one with 520 and the other with 1200 Swarovski crystals (seen above).

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Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue

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AYURA Night Meditation

Bond No. 9 describes the scent as “a floral woody chypre with highly coveted contemporary gourmand notes“. Woody it definitely is, as it is a unique scent in which a woody note is among the top notes. Blue cypress seems to linger until sandalwood takes over as one of the base notes. The whole Lexington Avenue is woody through and through and doesn’t strike me as floral.

It has a slightly smoky feel that radiates warmth. Apart from the woody notes, the warmth also comes from various gourmand (food) notes like cardamom and roasted almonds, although, for me, the role of gourmand notes is strictly a supporting one.

If you don’t enjoy woody notes, then Lexington Avenue can be a little overpowering. But if you are usually drawn to warm winter scents, then what is in this colorful shoe-adorned flacon might appeal to you. Overall, predominantly woody scents don’t tickle my fancy as much as citrusy fragrances or light florals, but I would certainly not question the unique identity of Lexington Avenue.

Lexington Avenue is launched in September, and there will also be limited-edition flacons that feature sterling silver shoe pendants designed by Robert Lee Morris.

Andy Warhol’s two Union Square studios, in one of which he created the portfolio of colored flower screenprints, inspired the name of this fresh floral scent.

Top Notes: Lily of the Valley, green stem notes
Middle Notes: sweet blue freesia, white birchwood
Base Notes: amber, silver-cloud musk accord

This vibrant yet elegant scent is appropriately described as a green floral. As the scent opens, the floral note from Lily of the Valley is merged with the cooler green notes. For me, the two top notes create a harmonious balance. As I don’t particularly enjoy floral fragrances that are overly sweet, I find this delicate balance very appealing.

As the scent develops, it takes on depth with subtle touches of woody and musky notes, which provide a great backdrop for the floral notes. This seamlessly coordinated partnership is able to continue right to the end.

For me, it is a wonderful early-spring fragrance that exudes fresh energy. It is also one of those scents that get better and better as the notes unfold themselves. This makes the scent especially pleasant to wear, explore, and appreciate.

(Andy Warhol Union Square Flowers Portfolio,
consisting of 10 different 100ml bottles)

Bond No. 9 has also launched a recycling initiative in the US. When you bring an empty perfume bottle (from Bond No. 9 or any other brand) to the Bond No. 9 boutiques or Bond No. 9 counters in Saks Fifth Avenue stores, you can receive a refillable pocket spray, free with any purchase.

(For a great overview of Bond No. 9, please visit Autumn Masquerade.)

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Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace
(one of my favorite Bond No. 9 scents)

Bond No. 9 Coney Island
(getting ready for summer)

Sheer Stella 2008
(new member to join the Sheer Stella family)

To me, it should smell simple, serene, comforting, and joyful. Bond No. 9 set themselves a big challenge of creating a fragrance emulating the aura of peace, and I think they did a remarkable job.

Top notes: grapefruit and black currant
Middle note: lily of the valley
Base notes: cedarwood and musk

To me, The Scent of Peace demonstrates a successful attempt in combining fruity and floral notes and not making the combination overly sweet and syrupy. I think the key is the straightforward simplicity of the chosen notes.

As someone who loves citrusy notes and floral notes like rose and lily, I am delighted with the complementary match of grapefruit and lily. Cedarwood and musk are very subtle base notes here as they add a swift and quiet depth to the beautiful citrusy and floral effervescence.

Gentle and elegant, the scent is wonderfully fresh without being too cool. It certainly smells serene, comforting, and… peaceful. I adore it.

Two other treats are on offer if you enjoy The Scent of Peace: the scented candle and the Body Silk.

Saks Fifth Avenue for Her–

Top notes: jasmine, tuberose
Middle note: gardenia
Base notes: vetiver, vanilla

With jasmine, tuberose, and gardenia, this fragrance is like an elegant and sophisticated white bouquet. Floral and sweet, the uncomplicated scent has a intriguingly powdery tone.

It reminds me very slightly of two Marc Jacobs fragrances: the jasmine-based Blush and the gardenia-based Marc Jacobs Perfume, which I prefer since they are very pleasantly soft. On the other hand, Saks Fifth Avenue for Her has more of a punch.

Saks Ffith Avenue for Him

–

Top notes: chili, black pepper, cardamom, bergamot
Middle note: incense
Base notes: guiac wood, amber

A few slightly more unique notes, like guaiac wood, were incorporated to render an edge against popular notes like bergamot and amber. Chili, black pepper and incense don’t tip the balance to their side and I think they play the supporting roles very well.

Young, fresh, lively and upbeat, this is a very wearable men’s fragrance that is not overtly masculine.

For the Holiday 2007 season, Bond No. 9 releases a limited-edition Saks Fifth Avenue for Her bottle with dazzling Swarovski crystals.