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Friday, August 22, 2008

Perfume Review: Bond No 9 Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue...and a prize draw

Lexington Avenue, the third perfume in Bond No 9's Andy Warhol series, was introduced in time for the artist's (a fellow Leo's) birthday. The name refers to Warhol's pre-Pop years in 1950s New York, during which he was making a name for himself as a commercial artist-illustrator and had quite a thing for shoes. His shoes were"portraits without a face", "objects of desire." (source) Bond No 9's new release is meant to "link two of the most ultra-feminine commodities a woman can own: fragrance and footwear". (source - Bond press release) The link would not be obvious unless you knew the background story about Warhol's Lexington years. What I mean is... one sort of expects that a fragrance that has something, even indirectly, to do with shoes and comes in a bottle decorated with shoes would smell of leather. Having said that, if Andy Warhol's larger than life illustrations came to life, they would not smell like any ordinary shoes but would instead indeed waft aromas of crème brûlée, cardamom and almonds.

The top notes of Lexington Ave. have a strangely churchy smell on my skin...dry-woody and vaguely incensey (blue cypress?). Add to that the sweet and piquant accord of fennel, cardamom and almonds, and what we have is an image of a sinful feast inside a place of worship. As the fragrance progresses, neither the balsamic/spiritual nor the gourmand/self-indulgent sides seem to be able to dominate each other, instead making each other much more interesting than they would were the perfume only woody or only gourmand... and making me think of that passage in The Master and Margarita in which Woland asks Matthew Levy, "what would your good do if evil did not exist, and what would the earth look like if shadows disappeared from it?"...

The base of Lexington Avenue is sandalwood-heavy, and, mixed with the aforementioned crème brûlée, iris and patchouli, the sweet wood creates a lacquered-box effect which makes the new Warhol fragrance somewhat reminiscent of Chinatown (as others have already noted). What I would have loved is even more patchouli to make the scent darker...but then of course I am patchouli-mad at the moment, and perhaps an overdose of this dark, earthy note would have tipped the good-evil balance and ruined the harmony (it also would have probably made Lex Ave too similar to Silver Factory, my favorite in the series). Lexington Ave will be a wonderful comfort scent during cold days, which are, let's face it, right around the corner, and I think I might need a bottle.

Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue will be available in September at Bond No 9 boutiques and Saks, $135.00-$195.00.

If you would like to enter the prize draw for samples of Lexington Ave, Union Sq (the 2nd Warhol scent) and Love in Black, please say so in you comment. Two winners will be chosen at random and announced on Monday.

Labels:

101 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'd love to be entered in the drawing :)

9:36 PM EDT  
Blogger Sue said...

I'd like to be entered in the draw, please. Thank you!

PS Thank you for your lovely post on Un Jardin Apres La Mousson - it convinced me to reconsider the scent and I have been loving it this summer, particularly when wearing jewel tones, as UJALM seems to capture the soothing vibracy of those colors so very well. :-)

9:56 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Elve
You are in

9:57 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Sue
I am so glad you are loving UJALM!
You are in.

9:58 PM EDT  
Blogger saralevy said...

as always, I love reading your reviews! I would love to enter the drawing--I am VERY curious about this scent--being a big fan of Chinatown and AWSF. cheers!!

10:09 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Sara,
Of course, you are in!

10:15 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Очень здорово включена цитата, браво!

А мне можно приз? )

10:16 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Нельзя. :-)

И спасибо :-)

10:18 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is the first review of Lexington Avenue I've read that has enticed me -- and I've read a bunch at this point. But then, I think you could entice me to wear rotting cheese, burnt rubber, all sorts of things .... oh, wait, you already have! Please enter me in the drawing!

10:24 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Jennifer
Mmm, stinky cheese :-)
Thank you, and you are in!

10:26 PM EDT  
Blogger Beth Schreibman Gehring said...

Hmmmm......I smelled this one yesterday when I went to SFA to try the Love in Black, which has sadly not yet arrived. It didn't do much for me, but I could see that on the right person it would be wonderful. I really wish that it was me, but alas I ended up smelling a bit like a moth ball :) Such are the pains of chemistry......

10:41 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Again your review has made something I didn't expect to like sound delightful. I'm the happy owner of PdN Turquoise (bought unsniffed!) because of your review. Normally I'm not a Bond No.9 fan and didn't care for Union Square but would appreciate being in your drawing for Lexington Ave. and Love in Black because of your great reviews.

Marilynn

11:05 PM EDT  
Blogger Julie said...

I've been meaning to try some of Bond scents!

11:34 PM EDT  
Blogger oOTeaOo said...

I'd like to be entered in the draw please. Thank you so much!! :) I love your reviews!

12:34 AM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Please enter me in the draw! Thank you.

12:38 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bond is such a dilemma. I have very few Bond scents I love but I keep hoping. Please enter me in the draw.

12:48 AM EDT  
Blogger Insahul said...

I'd love to be in the drawing, and thanks so much for your blog.

1:48 AM EDT  
Blogger Roland Denzel said...

This one sounds great!

I'd love to be entered.

Thanks,

Roland

3:41 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Silver Factory was also my favorite and I had little interest in Union Square. But this has my curiosity. When I first read the press release, I wrinkled my nose, but the more reviews I read, the more I'm drawn to it. Consider me for the drawing, please, and have a great weekend.

4:29 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, if it's in any way similar to Chinatown I'm interested. Thanks for your reviews and yes please to the draw!
Delfina

5:09 AM EDT  
Blogger Anne said...

Chinatown was the closest I got to liking a Bond. If this is Chinatown but better then I can't wait. Fold that paper and enter my name please!

Anne

5:59 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Marilynn
I am glad you like PdN Turquoise.
You are in!

6:47 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Julie
There are some certainly worth trying

6:47 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Natalie,
Thank you!
You are in.

6:48 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Beth
Mothball...then maybe you got more patch than I did. :-(
PS I've been trying to email you for a couple of days now, but it comes back as undeliverable :-(

6:49 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Jean
You are in

6:49 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Janet,
Same here. You are in the draw.

6:50 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Rachael
thank you, you are in.

6:50 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Roland
You are in

6:51 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Matts
Silver Factory is still my favorite, but this one is good too.
You are in.

6:51 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Delfina
You are in

6:51 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Anne
There is *something* there that makes it *somewhat* at one point reminiscent to it, but they are not twins :-)
You are in.

6:52 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Charisma
Thank you, you are in.

6:54 AM EDT  
Blogger womo531 said...

Marina,
I don't know why but everytime you love a new scent you make me want to try it too!! Please enter me in the drawing, wish I was back in the US with access to all these new goodies...

7:38 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I´d love to enter the drawing for both the samples of Bond no 9 and Love in Black :)

7:39 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think Bond is getting better at their execution of their scents. It's exciting. I can't wait to smell Brooklyn and maybe one called Liberty... the bottle being the color of the Statue of Liberty, wouldn't that be the ultimate scent challenge. She's tackled peace, how bout Liberty?!Anywho! Please enter me in the draw too :-)
Kayliana

7:45 AM EDT  
Blogger elle said...

This sounds simply irresistible! And a quote from Woland in M&M! Now, that guarantees I can start my day w/ a smile.

7:52 AM EDT  
Blogger Billy D said...

I've been trying to find a sample of this forever!! I'm dying to try it on skin. PLease enter me in the drawing!

9:10 AM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Would love to be entered into the drawing! And now that I'm back in the States and fall is drawing near, these scents sound lovely...

10:47 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Спасибо!
Мне очень нравится твой веселый друг anonymous, который пишет по-русски. :)
I'd love to be entered in the drawing :)
Женя

11:00 AM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Marina,
I wanted to thank you for the last prize draw. It made my week! But the joy is bitter-sweet, I have fallen hopelessly in love with L'Artisan's Fluers d'Oranger! Thank you so much, for the treasures.

11:02 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love Silver Factory and may buy a bottle someday. Tried Union Square, a refreshing white floral but not my thing. This one sounds intriguing, must try soon! Please include me in the drawing!
-Marla

11:15 AM EDT  
Blogger Ducks said...

This sounds delicious -- what an enticing review. I am cooking an Indian feast for a friend tomorrow and am in love with cardamom, as I always am while I'm planning to cook Indian food. I can't help thinking of a chayote halva I tried once... creamy, spicy, sweet and rich, with the clean finish of chayote. Yummy. Maybe I'll dig up that recipe for dessert.

I would love to be in the drawing.

11:26 AM EDT  
Blogger Solander said...

Yes please, I'd love to be in the drawing: :) I doubt I'll ever buy anything from Bond, but I really liked Silver Factory.

11:49 AM EDT  
Blogger Vida said...

I'm still looking for my Holy Grail Bond (as we all know, there is no ONE HG, so I must have one from each company...) and you make Lexington sound delish! Yes, please enter me in the drawing!

12:26 PM EDT  
Blogger Rachel said...

Goodness, you have an unbroken record since your return from vacation of reviewing scents that I am particularly interested in! I especially appreciated your review of Love in Black and its real suitability for Jackie.

P.S. Enter me in the drawing, please!

12:34 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can you imagine wearing this along with Laura Mercier's Creme Brulee body cream? You'd be the pied piper of every dessert-lover in town!

No draw entry for me- I'm on a diet! ;-)

1:18 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice review- I loved Silver factory, so I think I might love this..I'm not a big Bond fan but Silver factory has ensured that I will atleast sample anything they come with..:)

And yes..please include me in the draw. Thanks!

2:47 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I meant 'anything that they come up with'..lol

2:48 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Looking forward to trying all of these. . . maybe I'll get lucky in the draw?
-- Gretchen

4:39 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the drawing - thanks!!

4:39 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sandalwood? Yes. Iris? Definitely. Creme brulee? Uh...maybe. I've ignored the Bonds for so long, and I'm not sure why. Except for Silver Factory, which I liked quite a lot, actually. So yes, I should try this one..please put me in the draw. Thanks much!
Karen G

4:39 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the drawing as well. Thanks!

5:18 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I LOVE that bottle--I would be tempted to purchase anything in such a cute pattern! Please enter me in the drawing!

5:38 PM EDT  
Blogger n said...

I think I'm going to have to track this down now--I like Chinatown at times, but it's got too much patchouli unless I'm in a certain mood.

Could you include me in the drawing?

6:18 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Monica
You are in!

7:54 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Lian
You are in

7:55 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Kayliana
LOL, Peace, Liberty ans then...? Justice, Equality? :-)
You are in

7:56 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

L
I am so glad if that made you smile

7:56 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Billy
You are in

7:56 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Noy
You are in

7:57 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Женя
:-))))
You are in

7:57 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Dave
I am so happy to hear that!!

7:58 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Marla
Union wasn't my thing either
You are in

7:58 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Linda
You made me salivate something awful
You are in

7:59 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Solander
You are in

7:59 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Vida
I kind of always wanted a HG per brand too :-)
You are in

8:00 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Rachel
I doubt I can keep the record going, but will try :-)
You are in

8:01 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

M
I am not sure if that is an appealing or a scary thought :-)

8:01 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Lavanya
You are in

8:02 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Gretchen
You are in

8:02 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Lora
You are in

8:02 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Karen
I think this one is along the same lines as SF, perhaps softer and more gourmand.
You are in

8:03 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Erica
You are in

8:03 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Hope
Love the shows on the bottle too
You are in

8:03 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

Stephanie
You are in

8:03 PM EDT  
Blogger Kathy Bungard said...

Love the review, I feel as if I've already tried it! But I haven't, so please enter me as well though at this point being the 78th comment, I won't hold my breath! LOL

10:35 PM EDT  
Blogger cally said...

Although I found Chinatown to be tawdry, unlike everyone else's opinion of it, I still found it fascinating. If this fragrance is as fascinating, then they have another hit.

Please enter me in the drawing for a free sample.

11:30 PM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

flannerygrace
You are in

7:55 AM EDT  
Blogger Marina said...

California
You are in

7:55 AM EDT  
Blogger judith said...

Great review! I will be sampling this one. My favorite of the Andy Warhol series so far is Silver Factory. A little sweet never hurt anybody :~)

Please enter me in the draw. Thank you.

11:13 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

oh gosh, I'd love to try love in black. and any bond no. 9, really. thank you!

1:00 PM EDT  
Blogger TrippleJN said...

OK, I'll bite to be in the prize draw. :) I've been lurking around here for the past few weeks and am currently wearing White Aoud thanks to your fabulous blog. Never mind the sweat/weeding-the-garden stank on me also. They actually go well together.

On the same Paris trip I bought my honking bottle of Chanel No. 22 in high school (my mother was a French teacher), I saw an Andy Warhol exhibit at the Centre Pompidou. I'm rediscovering perfume...just started again at 35, and would love to sample some of Bond No. 9's things.

Love in Black looks like a must try, as well.

Jenny

3:56 PM EDT  
Blogger Nancy said...

Fascinating review! I would loved to be wrapped up in these combo aromas too. Please enter me in the draw. Thank you.

5:41 PM EDT  
Blogger ScentScelf said...

Uff-da! A draw draws us out, doesn't it?

Dare I offer that if you are right about the balance of Lexington Ave., darkening it up would have turned Lex Ave into ...Lex.......Luthor???

groan

(Please toss my name in the hat as well...sandalwood+creme brulee+iris is as far as I need to go to have my curiosity piqued...) :)

5:43 PM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi there, I'd love to be entered into your prize draw!!! Been longing to try the Love in Black, particularly...and I haven't yet sniffed any of the Bond No 9's so that would rock.
Thanks!

7:18 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello, dear M! I'd love to be entered if I'm not too late. I have yet to find a Bond I really love, but I'm compelled to keep trying. :)

9:00 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Enter me in the drawing - please please please choose me! This has all the notes I love - I would kill (ok, maim) to try it!

11:00 PM EDT  
Blogger Kirsten McGregor said...

Please enter me in!

1:17 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please enter me into the drawing!! I love your reviews and come here to help decide on lemmings all the time - keep up the great reviews!!

1:59 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the drawing. I've always wanted a Bond bottle, but I've never been able to justify the price.

2:39 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

please enter me into the drawing

10:07 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

M,
Your Lex Ave review has created a lemming for me! Please enter me in the prize draw. CindyN

3:01 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, I'd like to be in the drawing, and yes, I'd like to dig up some Woland. What a wonderful quote!
Cornlily

5:22 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, first-time commenter here...
love reading your reviews and have learned quite a bit as a newbie (wannabe?) perfumista. Please enter me in the drawing.

5:26 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Now that I realize that Woland is Satan, I don't much want to dig him up, as I said I did earlier. Thanks for the reference to The Master and Margarita; I was utterly ignorant of it. Now I have the chance to learn a bit more.
Cornlily

5:29 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Enter me in the drawing

9:36 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mmmm, I love my comforts scents.

I'd like to be entered in the drawing! Love the blog!

7:37 AM EDT  
Blogger theminx said...

oh - is it too late to say I'd love to be entered into the drawing?

10:26 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your review has tempted me to find this scent and try it, although the series has not been very good to me so far. Creed, likewise, does little for me as a rule but what I've read about Love in Black makes me think there's yet hope...please enter me in the drawing - and thanks!

3:17 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, please enter me in the draw. I've smelled only Chinatown. I stepped inside a small perfume shop and asked permission to use the Chinatown tester on the shelf. The owner said, certainly, but would I mind taking it outside to spray, as he's terribly allergic to perfume! How awful!
Cornlily

3:33 PM EDT  

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