this is a question i’ve seen bouncing around on different communities and reddit, so asking the og’s here that same question and hoping we can have a fun little exchange of ideas and discussion on this. by bottle design, this is a pretty big term, and everyone has individual preferences, so asking you guys, how important is it to you? if so, what kind of design and aesthetic do you prefer? do you prefer boldly artistic and statement making designs, like xerjoff, roja dove, or jpg? do you like a wide range of assortments ranging from colors to shape? or a more minimalist, uniform, simpler bottle design? like dior privee, le labo, replica, or tom ford private blend? or perhaps something in between? or do you guys just like a wide range? for me personally, i like minimalist, uniform designs that go well together, yet a slight influence of classical, artistic design that gives a quiet luxury vibe, with the artistic integrity being more scent-focused. it’s one of the reasons why i love tom ford private blend so much. other good examples of this are BDK, Dior Privee, YSL’s Private Line, Givenchy Gentleman Boisee and Reserve Privee, and replica and le labo, although those last two are a bit more minimalist leaning, they still look good in the collection, because the design fits within the spectrum. that being said, i do like a blend of some artisinal qualities in the design too, but this is less frequent in my collection habits, and more of a “crown jewel” piece in stuff i’m looking for. roja dove and creed are good examples of this. the main reason i go for this is because i like a very uniform yet diverse, aesthetic look in both my living spaces, clothing and of course, grooming habits. i pick body washes, hygienic products, and hair products that match under this umbrella too. i like a quiet luxury vibe, and more importantly, i like being able to see how coordinated everything is. i’m a little weird for that lol, you can think so, but that’s just me. i like diversity but also uniformity, like how you layer fragrances. they have different profiles, but they still need to work together and fit under a collection or spectrum.

When I picked up my first DH at the end of last year, it was a choice between the parfum & this. I picked the parfum but swore I'd return for the intense, it's a masterpiece to be honest. That powdery lipstick like Iris is genius. Originally launched in 2007 as a limited edition, it was later reformulated and reintroduced as a permanent staple in 2011. Whilst the og was an Oliver Polge creation, François Demachy is the architect behind this, having refined its DNA into the darker, richer scent it has become. As far as reformulation goes, there seems to have been four major changes over the years. However I have only experience with this one to date. It belongs to the Woody Floral Musk family. It has a Lavender opening, although brief, it's an aromatic flash that quickly gives way to the star of the show. At its heart notes of Tuscan Iris, Ambrette (Musk Mallow) & Pear, were a rich, powdery & waxy iris meets a fruity, musky sweetness. At its base Virgina Cedar & Vetiver. But I'm detecting a subtle touch of Amber/Vanilla! The dry down is creamy, woody & incredibly smooth. Performance is rather good here, you can expect several hours easily and it will cling to clothes for dear life. Projection is not bad. It is no room-filler like Sauvage; rather, it creates a 3-foot scent bubble that feels sophisticated and alluring. This is a real get dressed up/ black tie type of fragrance, perfect for date nights, galas, or cold-weather evenings out. My Rating: 8/10 Scent: 3 Longevity: 2 Sillage: 2 Y/N: 1