Karl Lagerfeld Kapsule

By Tom It's a lazy Memorial Day weekend involving me being lazier than usual. I did go to ScentBar (I know, Alert the Media) and visited the Etat Libres, smelling the Rossy de Palma (which I liked) and "Don't get me wrong", etc., which was a perfectly innocent lily scent. I still think a bottle of Rien might be in my future, but they are the olfactory equivalent of the guy with the tats who might make you weak in the knees, but you can't possibly take to the company Christmas party. So I was cleaning and in a random Neiman's giveaway I came across this trio in amongst mascara I wasn't going to use and expired postcards for facials. I have no info on them at all: even Google pretty much let me down. There are three of them in the package, Woody, Floriental and Fresh. Floriental is usually a word that will make me run for the hills. Especially when coupled with the words Karl Lagerfeld, since my memories of the early 80's were scarred by his all-enveloping and impossible to escape eponymous 80's mens fragrance. Up close, there's a minty freshness and oolong, and there seems to be a by sillage going on here that calls to mind that scent (I'm sure that if you tear down buildings in West Hollywood or Chelsea or DuPont Circle they would waft this like asbestos...). While it's rather a throwback, it's also cool and pretty and isn't hampered by the addition of frozen blackberries or whatever. Woody. Faber No. 2: perfect for filling out forms, since the lead is in there. Then there are plums. Very pretty, If there was a need for training wheels for a Lutens, this handily fills the bill. Light. Well, one cannot accuse them of false advertising. A rather ordinary jasmine overrun with that water accord that comes across as being, if possible, cheaper that the jasmine. Which would be okay if this was something that was available at Walgreens for $15, but at at this price point I'll pass. All are $110 for 2.5 ounces at Neiman Marcus. For now.