Archives 69 Etat Libre d`Orange for women and men

I had the chance to buy Archives 69 directly at Etat libre d'Orange in Paris a couple of weeks ago. The name represents their address: 69, rue des Archives.

The perfume brings me back to the 70's (even though I was a child then). I even call it my peace and love perfume. On me it's a blend of incense and flowers. I usually don't wear fragrances with flowery notes, but the orchid is "tamed down" by the mandarin and pepper notes. I can smell the patchouli and the camphor. Patchouli is another note I cannot stand in perfume, but it is mixed so well with the camphor, the incense, the benjoin and the musk that it makes it almost indian.

That's it! I know what Archives 69 reminds me of. It's a real American hippy smell (and I don't say it in a bad way). You know the kind of hippy who is trying to recreate the spiritual indian world in their home. They buy flowers and burn different incense all over their place. To the point that even the smell sticks to their skin and clothes. I also have to admit that Archives 69 possesses a slight smell of pot in it.

Anyway, this is one of my all-time favorites and I will cherish it for a long time. "Le parfum est mort, vive le parfum"!

Even by Etat Libre D'Orange standards, this is an odd one on me. The initial notes are fiery, almost medicinal like a throat lozenge. The overall effect is warming and sensual. Not my favourite from this fragrance house, but still a unique and interesting scent.

Etat Libre D'Orange's main points of strength have always been considered their advertising campaigns and marketing strategies (provocative names, arousing images, trendy concepts) and, during the years, they grew up a consistent amount of loyal followers with their "borderline", love-or-hate approach.

On the other hand I'm realizing that their choice of giving the brand a provocative/controversial identity has often turned into a sort of limit. Many people who have been potentially interested in their juices have been disencouraged by the house misleading/questionable perfume's names and images. I would like to suggest this people to try to avoid the provocation and approach Eldo's fragrances focusing on their juices. If you'll be able to do it, you will discover a bunch of extremely solid compositions that range from the classics-inspired Je Suis Un Homme or Eloge Du Traitre, to the successful modernity of Like This, Fat Electrician, Jasmin & Cigarette and Tom Of Finland via the conceptual/artistic-weirdness of Rien, Charogne and Secretions Magnifique.

Said that the new Archive 69 has been commited to perfumer Christine Nagel who previously worked for the likes of Guerlain, Cartier, Dior, Fendi, Armani, Givenchy and many many more....Her latest composition for Eldo strikes as a succesful concoction of resinous notes and frankincense joined by pepper and berries on top, a sophisticated orchid note in the heart and a remarkable camphoraceous vibe throughout. Overall, Archive 69 is an extremely sensual skin fragrance with a multi-facets character that goes from the peppery opening to the warm and comfortable musky/incensey drydown via the endless nuances of the heart where it continuely morphes from flowery to sort of gourmandic.

Probably it won't reply the success of the Fifi Prix des Spécialistes award winning Like This, but it's surely head and shoulders above the average quality available on the market.

Rating: 8/10

Sampling fragrances from this company is like eating Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Fun, but kinda scary at the same time. You could get wonderful or you can get downright revolting. Makes them all an adventure.

This one is kind of on the fun side to me. You can actually feel the camphor in your eyes when you bring your wrist up to your nose to smell it. Then you get to something that honestly reminds me of Necco Wafers and Red Hots candies. I get that this must be the pepper(s) but they really do have a confectionary vibe to them. Very strange.

So glad I tried it. I don't want to actually smell like this but it was great fun to play with.

A69 is a sensual and light perfume, woody animalic, but not heavy, sweet, it reminds me a little bit of outrageous Secretions, it contains something embarrassing, too explicit... salty, body-like. I can't say is it for men or for women: when I smell it, it seems I am smelling a man, my husband says, it smells like a woman ;o)