Description
This is one of the latest fragrances for men by Lanvin. This perfume is completely balanced; interesting harmonies appear with different notes: pepper-like dryness of the top notes and waves of warmth find its way through it; opulent jasmine and ascetic cold iris; warmth of the base notes following the rich floral heart. Women may also like it, even though this is definitely a fragrance for men, very elegant and sophisticated. The main notes are: pink pimento, mandarin, bitter orange and neroli. The heart is composed of iris, jasmine, walnut and Latin American tea mate, while the base includes vanilla, Tonka beans, patchouli, Australian sandalwood. It was created in 2005. The nose behind this fragrance is Olivier Pescheux.
jur198 – :
I blind bought this based off the reviews and the notes. As a guy who loves masculine, powdery, florals, I figured, why not? Starts off with mild bitter orange and pink pepper. I was a little disappointed with the bitter smell then WHAM the iris note comes in and saves the day! On first blast I thought “This isn’t Dior Homme” I like this a little better. It’s a close cousin to Dior Homme, but this is not Dior Homme! With this, it’s less lip stick smelling, more rounded iris and vanilla to keep it grounded. Arpege is elegant but can be worn daily. As far as seasons go, I think it will work for the fall, winter, and spring time. This was a great blind buy, though the bottle is not blue but a brownish color.
richa22 – :
Floral Gourmand, what in the world?
So I finished a bottle of Davidoff’s Hot Water; wasn’t a huge fan but several ladies were. It was my most successful romantic wear along with Chanel’s Platinum Egoiste and Allure.
I didn’t replace Hot Water, I found it linear and loud. I tried Emporio Diamonds and really like that, but I found it soft, linear and loud. I don’t want to smell like any of that.
Arpege is fresh Iris and Neroli; the nutmeg and vanilla make it gourmand but I really feel like it is an elevated Hot Water/Diamonds scent.
It’s beatifully floral and sweet-warm but not cloying. I don’t find it feminine, just soft and floral. No regrets for this purchase, the blend is a beauty to experience. I’ll be reserving it for more romantic cold weather days and nights.
Barasboyt – :
Does anyone know where to buy a 3.4 oz of this online for cheap or wants to sell a bottle? Please send me a pm
axiva – :
Excellent scent! Starts out almost exactly like the women’s version of Arpege, but then quickly mans up as it dries down. Final result is a spicy, powdery fragrance that I find quite unique, masculine and elegant. truly enjoy this one.
lexah – :
I was lucky enough to get it a few days ago and at a cheap price a 50 ml bottle of this and i must say that is a really good perfume. I get a spicy-sweet vanilla note with a good dose of powdery feeling in it. Sillage and longevity are a bit light for me or maybe i have olfactory fatigue, don’t know. It reminds me a bit of Armani Attitude Extreme. Would recommend it !
CosyAbubs – :
Arpege pour Homme is somewhat a variant of Dior Eau Noire other than Dior Homme. It is, for sure, even a more sophisticated, higher completed, further decorated composition relative to Eau Noire.
Arpege PH opens with what you might mostly get from Eau Noire: some herbal woody aromantic scent with a touch of coffee note. Notice the difference in the coffee notes: to be specificly, it blended in a well-crafted and subtle way so that its synthetic trace cannot be easily found as it does in Eau Noire (where the coffee smells like a chemical coffee flavor chewing gum as you can find in a drugstore) and even some really expensive niche offerings that also use the coffee.
Eau Noire freezes at here, but Arpege PH does not. It soon envolved into a oriental woody phase. I do get some comparison to Dior Homme as some reviewers mentioned, but more precisely it reminds me of Dior Bois d’Argent, just with a quasi-fougere twist, as well as a deja vu of Serge Lutens Gris Clair-ish sweet woody base, just without the prominent lavender note. So think about mixing one drop of Bois d’Argent, one drop of Gris Clair (lavender-filtered) and a half drop of YSL Opium Homme (PPR-Gucci Era), that is basically how it goes, at least to some extend.
Arpege PH is surely more than what I expected from the house of Lanvin. A solid, interesting, sexual and elegent frag within the genre. If you were into Eau Noire and Gris Clair, you’d better get yourself a bottle of this before full extinction in the market.
Rating: 8.0-8.5/10
yhqianshouv – :
Arpège Pour Homme
Purchased On eBay
Ah, Arpège Pour Moi Enfin
This fragrance has a distinctively unisex air, and it’s musical, a melody in a bottle. It’s like the reformulation of Arpege for women in that they have a jazzy and bluesy but fresh citrus floral-vanilla powdery body. There’s piano music and a saxophone playing. I see soft blue lighting in a Parisian underground café in the Technicolor 1950’s beatnik scene in Montmartre and Montparnasse with existentialist hipsters and Sartre groupies in turtlenecks, berets, and snapping fingers.
Opens with a nod to the female fragrance version with citrus notes courtesy of a beautiful neroli or rather orange blossom complete with a soft green note which eventually becomes patchouli, a much stronger patchouli herb than the women’s edition. The citruses are quite fresh and tasteful, nothing acidic or sour, with orange and mandarin blended with that gorgeous neroli scent. There’s nothing particularly masculine about the early stages of the fragrance. In fact one can make the strong argument that it IS unisex and can be worn by women as much as men. The heart is particularly feminine with iris flower and jasmine flower. The iris is powdery as most iris notes often are, with a bluish purple hue, like powder in this color. Then that white jasmine is very detectable with a silken texture like gloves or ivory piano keys. Also in the heart are spices, not heavy Oriental kind of spices, but gingery and soft cinnamon, nutmeg and pink pepper. Light edible spices that give this a gourmand effect. Reminds me of artists, coffeehouses, photographers, models, jazz clubs, nightclubs, and NYC as well as Paris.
The dry down is where it gets more along the lines of a man’s fragrance, despite not coming on too strong or traditionally masculine. With it’s vanilla base, it has more in common with such vanilla-for-men scents as Dior Homme and Guerlain Homme Ideale. But because this is neither Dior nor Guerlain but Lanvin, it tries it’s best to stay in the Lanvin Arpege mode. Am I the only one linking it to the Arpege vintage for women because though not 100 percent alike, it has some similar qualities. I have experienced Arpege for women for many years. My mother wore it. My old girlfriend wore it. I have worn it. For me this is just a fresh modern hip young cool guy’s jazzy version. It is fast becoming my new signature. I wish I had worn it earlier. Arpege For Men perfectly captures my personality!
This smells bohemian and relaxed, leisurely, playboy-like. The scent turns into a sandalwood and patchouli that is warm, aromatic, and gourmand with a creamy vanilla base. Delicious, inviting, comfortable. It’s powdery but not grandma’s talc powder box. It smells good as your girl hugs you and she likes it, warming up to you through the evening. It’s a dinner date and nightclub scent to enchant and to seduce. Not a panty dropper not aggressive but sensitive and sweet which women respond to. As a vanilla gourmand for men it’s also quite wearable for 2017. Who was the genius who discontinued this scent? I had to look for it online on eBay. As many attest, this is a fantastic fragrance. It lasts a good amount of time and has moderate projection and has a very polite inoffensive neutrality to it. Can also be worn safely to the office/the work place.
Soundtrack
Chopin Nocturne Opus 9 Jazz Jacques Loussier
Merci Mil Fois Lanvin
Avec Tout Mon Coeur
Brian Fitzgerald
vite0077340 – :
This is gorgeous i wish i have a back up bottle of this..
Drydown reminds me very much of Tom ford’s black orchid.
Better in all aspects(smell, longetivity, sillage, masculinity) than Dior Homme intese for me witouth question. Always will be in my top 3 winter/fall variation as long as i have it
phadiaagidO – :
آرپژ
تند شرقی
با اسپری نمودن این عطر در ابتدا، فضای اطراف از رایحه ای پودری که ترکیبی چگال از روایح زنبق، وانیل مختص عطرسازی، و پچولیست آکنده می شود. بعد از این شروع فلورالِ وانیلی که یاد آور حسی شبیه قرص نعناع یا نُقل است به تدریج از شدت وانیل و زنبق کاسته می شود و روایحِ پایه نظیر چوب صندل، جوز هندی، دانه تونکا و پرتقال ماندارین است که محسوس تر می شوند و عطر را به حالتی متعادل می رسانند. می شود گفت که عطر در این مرحله از حالت آب نباتیِ خود فاصله گرفته و به فضایی ادویه ای می رسد -ضمن اینکه اکنون وانیل و زنبق، آن حالت مهاجمِ آغازین را ندارند و در کنار سایر عناصر بکار رفته در عطر آرام گرفته اند.-
از منظر ترکیب روایح شرقی و فلورال، سبک این کار و کارهایی نظیر تام فورد نوآر مشابه هم است
آرپژ عطری مناسب سرمای زمستان است که به عقیده من بیشتر به کاراکتر افراد سن بالا می آید. و همچنین فکر می کنم که تنها علاقهمندان به بوهای پودری و تند را راضی خواهد کرد.
atteloCof – :
Absolutely must have item and I am glad to have it.
Sweet, powdery, light and sexy scent. Longevity and projection is good.
Yes it’s solid 8/10 for me.
btmn – :
This reminds me a lot of Burberry’s For Men, circa 1990’s (the blue “Knight” cap), but more appealing. BFM has this vegetal/herbal accord in it that feels more like a niche experiment than a production fragrance. The “powdery” quality is fairly strong in Arpege Pour Homme, but doesn’t dandify the aroma too much. It’s wearable by both men and women, AFAIC. The drydown is sublime!
Arpege Pour Homme was unfortunately discontinued not long ago, so there’s still some inventory floating around, sometimes at a nice discount. Get some while you can!
Fragrance: 8.5, Value: 9
TBuKC – :
arpege is a mix between jaipur and dior homme. very good. I can smell it from the paper that has absorbed the scent. It seems very strong !!! but I think jaipur is more good. It is floury and slightly oriental. but very mainstream. similar to other perfumes. It does not have a bad note dior lipstick. but it is too generic for how sweet smell nice but trivial. remember me costume national soul without oud.7/10
but I do not buy it.
Dimitriy Koshelev – :
This must be my favourite oriental male featuring iris.
Opening with slightly waxy plastic notes from the iris, somewhere in the vein of Dior Homme(of which I am not very fond) but not quite so “lipstick-like”. While the opening finishes quite fast, within about 15-20 minutes, the heart and drydown is really rich nice and creamy featuring some similarities to Jaipur Homme with the nutmeg acting as stand-in for Jaipur’s cinnamon.
The scent is very original and different from most other male scents. Warm, powdery, spicy and woody at the same time. The most prominent notes are anise, pink pepper and nutmeg layered on a bottom of vanilla, tonka, patchouli, sandalwood and some florals.
It’s more of a home or date scent, than suited for work or clubbing but has great longevity and a very decent projection. Not overly masculine, so I could imagine this one being worn by the ladies too. Good stuff if you should find it at a reasonable price.
sashlimonov – :
How good is Arpege Pour Homme?
So good that I almost sold my 2007 silver-collar DHI because Arpege covers so much of the same ground.
Luckily, I came to my senses and kept both.
Edit: November, 2017:
Sold my vintage DHI and kept the Arpege. The ingredients in 2007 DHI are top notch and expertly blended, but overall it’s way too feminine for my taste.
cymnkneeskmiz – :
I bought 2 bottles of this amazing scent
sweet powdery vanilla really really good
9/10
sadly discontinued
phn668Negeltzex – :
After all these years I still get compliments and even how to spell the name of the cologne, but I told the lady today, that is discontinued but still could be found and the price out there keeps getting higher.
Anyhow one of my top shelf colognes, one of the best from Lanvin. Get it while you can.
teravadila – :
I discovered a treasure where I did not expect.Is the scent that you wake up to reality and then you bring in dreamland, with a flavor that is addictive.Sweet-spicy-powdery-vanilla for male-modern-elegant with a touch of iris very natural (not that smell of lipstick or makeup), but unfortunately: undervalued and endangered (interrupted). Projection and excellent longevity.
bookashka123 – :
I like the way this smells…but it gives me a headache. I don’t know why, but it does.
Meammesibia – :
Today was a good day – the rain fell in sheets, the wind blew ever so sweetly, and a gentle chill settled throughout the land…these are my truly favorite days. Often, in the wind and cold, I find myself looking for answers to questions I have held for nearly a decade and a half – most concern the meaning of life, love, and the curiosity of connection (to music, to scent, to people, to places, and so on). I spin through these questions and thoughts endlessly only to arrive where began – such frivolous toil! I chose a strong companion to aid me in this brief journey – Lanvin Aprege Pour Homme.
This is another stunning beast in my collection – and one that is sadly discontinued… Well, it is very potent to start off with – a sharp citrus laid over the rich heart of spiced iris and nutmeg and the always present base of a thick, musky vanilla and honeyed amber. This is truly narcotic – I cannot smell myself enough and it brings me such resounding joy when I catch wafts of it in the air surrounding me….it is a gentle yet powerful beauty – much like the perfect woman (or man). I catch whiffs of a peppery iris now and again accented with a honeyed woods and resins – some of my favorite notes in gourmand fumes all playing a beautiful harmony. This fume takes me to the arms of the perfect lover I never had – it illicits extreme joy and profound loneliness – a truly unforgettable experience that I couldn’t do without! May you all find the answers to your burning questions and may you have a true love to cozy up to on these cold, rainy days!
Day 14 – The search for meaning
Listening to: Agnes Obel – Under Giant Trees
wx7x7w… – :
Great Olivier Pescheux that presented us with Arpege Pour in its Home version conceituadíssima Lanvin, this house that is synonymous with elegance, refinement and responsibility as aims to bring to market leading his high name. Pescheu is a myth, his creations for Diptyque dispense other comments, beginning with the absolute 34 boulevard Saint Germain to intimate resected Vetyverio, delight in its most sublime and bottled form!
Arpege opens strangely amid an aromatic combination means bitter sometimes greenish, but also with a raucous spicy footprint that comes to be somewhat of a nuisance in the first minutes of application, but nothing that does not give to support to this combination bizarre evolve to your heart that brings the luxurious impressions if your house. Yet I confess I had to it gives opportunity for more than three times in order to understand their circumspect proposal.
In his notes means it becomes half dirty and heavy, I would say an opulent and dense scent referring to the most classic fragrances Lanvin already launched in perfumístico market, and believe that the combination of jasmine and iris pass the aromatic impression of presence eminent aldehydes fragrance, according to the website of the House does not contain such a note, but I get on the back foot and I suspect that yes there is the presence of the same in it. (Oloko)
Here, at its base it becomes the best fragrance, in my view, because it carries a silkiness that is very peculiar in some perfumes that have used this life, something bright, intense and fresh. Bet on the perfect combination of Patchouli, Vanilla and Tonka that to my nostrils, refer to hair smell of Chucky doll, yes, identical to smell that meeting on the basis of softened My Insolcence Guerlain, without taking nor, however, here in Arpege Pour Homme Lanvin, this smell is improved due to the virility that rises from beyond the notes of his heart. A perfume fixing between 8 h to 10 h and has a considerable projection in the first 4 h after his troubled exit, it will which is a beauty!
Bruinueno – :
An absolutely gorgeous scent.
This is an homage to the past. Guerlain’s Heritage is definately Arpege’s older brother, and Dior’s Homme and TF Noir’s its contemporaries. The vanilla beautifully envelops the iris and there’s good dose of spice to keeps things fresh. Ignore the hype and the scarcity of Arpege PH. It is a beautiful, solid scent at the end of the day and it will make you feel elegant and sophisticated, even if you were running naked in the middle of the street. And that is the beauty of wearing fragrances.
Smell great my friends.
alexrom66 – :
Just pulled this one out after some months. To be honest, I kind of forgot that I have 2 100ml bottles that I purchased back a couple of years ago. There is a ferocious battle between Vanilla and Iris going on with Pink Pepper refereeing. The Iris is winning but only by a bit.
I personally think this is a top shelf fragrance that projects like an animal and lasts as well. It’s sweet, but not too sweet and is smoothed over by a powdery overtone which I am totally digging. If you are into powdery fragrances (i.e. Dior Homme Intense) than definitely give this one a run. Its a bit sweeter than DHI but very close (at least to me) with the abundant presence of Iris.
So, Blind Buy? Eh, No. I don’t think this is for everyone.
My Final Scores:
Projection/Sillage: 8.5
Longevity: 9.5
Scent: 8.5
olgapopova120493 – :
This didn’t work for me – too sweet or something although the lasting time was good. It actually gave me a headache a lot of the time. I got more compliments from JOOP.
mr.Dude – :
Great Olivier Pescheux that presented us with Arpege Pour in its Home version conceituadíssima Lanvin, this house that is synonymous with elegance, refinement and responsibility that aims to bring to market leading his high name. Pescheu is a myth, his creations for Diptyque dispense other comments, beginning with absolute 34 boulevard Saint Germain to intimate dried Vetyverio, delight in its most sublime and bottled form!
Arpege opens strangely amid an aromatic combination means bitter sometimes greenish, but with a shrill spicy footprint that comes to be somewhat of a hassle in the first minutes of application, but that does not give anything to support up to this bizarre combination evolve to your heart that brings the luxurious impressions if your house. Yet I confess I had to it gives opportunity for more than three times in order to understand their circumspect proposal.
In his notes half he becomes half dirty and heavy, I would say an opulent and thick scent referring to the most classic fragrances that Lanvin has launched in perfumístico market, and believe that the combination of jasmine and iris pass the aromatic impression of presence eminent aldehydes fragrance, according to the website of the House does not contain such a note, but I get on the back foot and I suspect that yes there is the presence of the same in it. (Oloko)
Here, at its base it becomes the best fragrance, in my view, because it carries a silkiness that is very peculiar in some perfumes I’ve used this life, something bright, intense and fresh. I bet the perfect combination of Patchouli, Vanilla and Tonka it to my nostrils, refer to hair smell of Chucky doll, yes, identical to smell that meeting on the basis of softened My Insolcence of Guerlain, without taking nor, however, here in Arpege Pour Homme Lanvin, this smell is improved due to the virility that stands out from beyond the notes of his heart. A perfume fixing between 8 h to 10 h and has considerable projection in the first 4 h after his troubled exit, it goes like a charm!
Barbosser – :
Pleasing and masculine in an old school way; Arpège is less sweet than it is spicy, leaning towards incense notes, though Lanvin (Olivier Pescheux) still achieved a great synergy of ingredients here. The dry down is not overpowering or cloying, yet it is assertive, lasting and projects well without an ostentatious sillage. An aristocratic powerhouse reminiscent of the classics à la Givenchy Gentleman. Although the composition of Arpège and Gentleman (the original – not the sickly Gentlemen Only version) is different, both exhibit a perfect balance of elements that embodies class and panache.
sadevice – :
I bought a bottle on a blind impulse buy at a discount store a few years ago. I got it for a good low price. I tried it back then and didn’t like it and then I got rid of it. I only remember that it was sweet, powdery and I think some smokiness to it. Back in that day, I didn’t like sweet scents very well, but now I do. So I would need to re-sample this again to see if I really like it.
юра125 – :
A really really nice one! Arpege starts off with sharp citrus notes although this stage is quite short before the wonderful Iris heart comes through with hints of vanilla and sandalwood poking their heads. This part of the frag is just divine and lasts a long time. Base notes are mostly vanilla and sandalwood with some sweetness from the Tonka. Overall projection is a bit on the mild side but still noticeable within arms length. Like Lanvin’s Avante Garde, this is also a frag that shines in close encounters, a great date fragrance. Longevity is about 5-7 hours but I wear this one exclusively for nights out so it might be lasting longer but I am definitely out long before the frag is!! If you like sweet vanilla/iris type frags and can get your hands on a bottle of this discontinued gem, should pick it up for sure. I for one will definitely miss this when my bottle runs out. A good one. 8.5/10
коля доля – :
Received it recently and was impressed, it’s an awesome fragrance that smells luxurious. For me it’s a 9/10 and for the price you should try without hesitation. I bought a 1.7oz bottle just in case I don’t like but when finished I’m buying the 3.4oz.
katya92box – :
the liquid is not blue like in this pics, it s sepia. Monster sillage and longevity, niche-quality. Gone forever from Lanvin products line since 2010 due to… poor sales(!) Underrated and underestimated, as many other masterpieces.
Thanks God I have some reserves. Definitely a hugs and kisses thief. 10/10
VataomidlyVom – :
My husband has it and this is one solid scent, nice mix of aromatic notes, on a smooth bed of sweeter notes, but not unisex in my views…
Lanvin has made and continues to make quality ftagrances…Arpege was worn by lots of french girls when it came out, it is an unforgettable fragrance…the masculine version might not be so catchy, but it is a solid classy yet modern masculine scent..
Nothing in your face, the notes catch each other effortlessly, nothing disharmonious here…a scent you keep going back to..! Because it has something more !!
Pure niceness…I like it a lot on my man!!
nizami1984 – :
You can do noting but love this thing
Artur-st – :
I am so sad to know this fragrance is discontinued, fortunately I got one of the last bottles in China.
duroff – :
A soft, seductive oriental… why discontinued?
Why discontinue something like this? Arpège pour Homme is a wonderful soft oriental for men that is a mix of tonka bean, iris, pink pepper and vanilla… with touches of jasmine, sandalwood and amber in the base. It’s so soft and sexy, I can’t see anyone who wouldn’t like it!
Right from the beginning I get Mandarin Orange and Pink Pepper… followed by jasmine and settling into iris and tonka bean (a lot of tonka bean), before turning into a sandalwood & vanilla combination. I think it’s innovative and unique enough to stand out from many of the male fragrances… it’s sexy in an edible, yummy way (like you almost want to eat it)!
When I wear this I think of one thing… smooth Jazz music! Imagine being in a blue-lit underground jazz bar with a smooth, cool sound playing in the background… a little Miles Davis perhaps? There’s a guy sitting at his table, enjoying a cocktail with a female friend… the band keeps playing, never too loud. They are enjoying the company, the conversation, the soft mood, the unique atmosphere of the place… and I think this is a fragrance that would create that atmosphere.
Some have said it’s similar to Dior Homme… well I would say there is a 60-70% similarity, but this is more “oriental” (it has more tonka bean and vanilla). Also the pink pepper makes a nice touch which wasn’t in Dior Homme. The main difference is the leather that was in the Dior which is absent here. I actually find this one more similar to L’Instant de Guerlain pour Homme in the “soft oriental” category.
A lovely, pleasurable and non-offensive, seductive fragrance. Why was this discontinued? We may never know. Smooth, soft and sexy. R.I.P. Arpège pour Homme!
natik – :
Earlier reviews have more or less nailed this from various perspectives. I’d like to add my story.
APH is one of those fragrances whose DNA you smell in so many others released after it.
There’s this gorgeous balance of modern masculinity, sensuality, and control to it that you don’t experience very often, it speaks of quality.
The way pink pepper, iris, jasmine, tonka interact here, all very popular accords for the last 8-10 years, and often very overdone or poorly done, is a real treat.
Smelling this today after about 7 years makes me think (while wearing Guerlain l’Homme Ideal) that this is the sort of thing Wasser might’ve been trying to achieve in marrying the tres-popular boisee-sec skeleton so common now with a plush, floral oriental accord.
Of course, that’s not what Wasser was trying to do in reality, but it almost feels like it, and Olivier Pescheux unwittingly anticipated this trend nearly 10 years earlier.
They smell nothing alike, but thats the feel I get smelling this.
I’m quite surprised this was discontinued so quickly, it really is a lovely rendition of the nicer aspects of modern male perfumery trends. Like many other perfumes, I wish this was available in different concentrations and body care products like the old days.
Its a very handsome and versatile fragrance.
vishnyakova1983 – :
awesomeeeeee … long last perfume comparable with dior Fahrenheit 32… unfortunately why why lanvin discontinued this stuff… ???
agr498Negeltzex – :
My current favorite fragrance, is a such a joy for me to wear it. It is sweet and powdery but way more masculine that DHI or MIP for exemple.
The vanilla is absolutely the most dominant note so keep that in mind. If you hate vanilla stay away of this fragrance.
The iris note is very natural and is not come off smelling like lipstick or makeup. The bitter-sweet citruses and floral notes are always in the background and the spices give a nice and balanced dimension to the fragrance.
The drydown is to die for, so well blended and intoxicating! The lasting power is great, 10-12h and is still projecting(not a lot but still enough to attract some compliments).
The only negative part is the bottle, I find it ugly and cheep, the cap is very lose and light.
Excellent night time fragrance, I will need a bigger bottle, I think this fragrance is the only one from my collection for which I will buy at least one back-up bottle.
For me is a 10/10!
maxmyd164 – :
Replying to some earlier post about the juice’ color, yes some of these are a blue tint and others are a taupe tan color. Have not heard as to why or about reformulations. They smell the same and are not flankers that have gone bad. Some of their ads are in the taupe color and some of the other ads are of blue.
AIVAN81 – :
– Nutmeg iris –
Starts with a very strong blast of fruity orange, neroli and vanilla. Within minutes the pink pepper starts to appear clearing some space for the stunning nutmeg note. Meanwhile, the iris slowly creeps in and carefully softens the composition. The initial blast might be a little confusing and cloying but it certainly doesn’t traumatize one like Joop! or Musc Ravageur.
To my nose the nutmeg is the key note in this fragrance – pink pepper is there to support it’s spiciness, cold iris creates a powdery and soft contrast to the sharpness and mate tea (not listed in the notes) pairs up with the orange offering a dried fruits-ish aroma. Jasmine is also listed in the notes but I couldn’t detect it at all. The heart is VERY well balanced (some fragrances tend to make sense only after drying down) because the notes support each other perfectly yet letting nutmeg shine through as the main ingredient. Vanilla is there in the backround the whole time assuring that APH stay sweet and yummy.
5-6 hours post applying the iris is still there but it has developed an interesting violet-like quality. Also I can still detect the slightes hint of orange from the very opening providing a slight fruitiness. Pepper, nutmeg and mate have withdrawn by this time and vanilla finally accomplishes it’s grand entrance.
Basically the drydown is in the same leage with DHI but trust me APH is much MUCH more masculine. There’s a shitload of powdery violet-ish vanilla á la LLAM but the patchouli continues the spicy saga of pepper (top) and nutmeg (heart) which conjure a sweet, soft, elegant and slightly spicy masculine aura. As I’ve worn APH I’ve received a great deal of compliments especially during this phase – even from people who usually detest strong and sweet fragrances.
Conclusion
What can I say? APH is classy, sweet yet masculine, very long lasting, monstrous sillage, slightly floral, unique, easily likeable and very versatile. Those are just a few adjectives I can come up with this immense beauty. I’ve already bought 4 big bottles and I’m just getting started – I’ve now compared APH with most of the perfume in my collection (and the ones in the store) and by far NONE of the has even the slightest chance when it comes to this baby. It’s just so complex and possesses something from every corner of the perfume world. APH satisfies me on so many levels that I’m almost perplexed of not having enough words to describe it’s delicacy.
My most humble thanks to Lanvin and Olivier Pescheux.
stass9 – :
Why oh why was this discontinued and nowhere to be found anymore? I had this one a handful of years ago and loved it. It was everywhere to be found at the discounters like Marshalls and T.J. Maxx for dirt cheap but now it has fallen off the face of the earth and none of the online discounters carry this one either. This really is an intoxicating sweet smell and best for the cold weather. I sort of have the smell still stuck in my mind but I wish I still had my bottle right here with me.
cln119speagoessenda – :
I absolutely hated this the first time I sniffed it two years ago, convinced so many reviewers here were only appreciative of this Lanvin creation because of its relative obscurity and the fact liking it conveyed a certain sophistication on them. Why? I didn’t have the range of experience, the nose to fully appreciate and the understanding of how unique this blend truly was within the world of men’s fragrances. Iris was still too feminine and shocking for me in this large of a dose, especially when pushed against the prominent vanilla and powdery tonka. After having put my nose on a few hundred creations since and coming back to it today, I now understand what all the hoopla here from some fantastic reviewers like ericrico, kavi and desmondorama was about. Lanvin’s Arpege Pour Homme is a very, very ,original, unique wear that Olivier Pescheux didn’t play conservatively. He really takes risks with this creation, pushing the envelope and standards of the industry a bit further towards creativity in an era of uninspired, insipid releases selling on designer name recognition more than craftsmanship. (See Polo’s Big Pony, Lacoste’s L.12.12, most of Gucci’s recent creations)
There’s a bit of everything here, with the vanilla blasting to the top to balance the iris and pink pepper and the tonka bean blending rather nicely with the nutmeg to get a lightly creamy, Christmassy Egg Nog like fragrance that finds a very professional, moderate balance that doesn’t overwhelm or push too aggressively.
This is best kept for cold days and evenings, versatility is rather limited to under 40 degrees Fahrenheit but this works very well as a formal scent from November-March and as intimate evening wear as well. It’s warming on winter days and can easily work for you as a casual day scent as well.
Did not illicit a lot of positive reaction from females the times I wore it, so take that into consi