Contemporary

This is peak Clive Christian Gonna be making daily reviews for Clive Christian as I received official samples for 11 of their fragrances recently (with more on the way), and I'm starting off with Contemporary. This was love at first sniff when I sampled it on paper, and I still like it a lot after giving it a full wear. Contemporary opens up with this fruity and spicy violet with a tinge of woods in the back. The blackberry and violet blast in the opening is intoxicating, I really can't get enough of it. Although it's listed as a heart note I feel the nutmeg is more noticeable in the opening than the pepper and vice versa. As it dries down the nutmeg is dialed back, the blackberry is gone and what you're left with is a slightly spicy and woody violet that smells refined and gentlemanly. The aromatic spiciness in here reminds me very, very strongly of Creed's Viking, but Contemporary doesn't smell funky like that does, this does smell extremely well done. I must admit I'm a bit let down by the fact the dry down isn't as good as the opening, but it's still an amazing fragrance and I'd say it's probably Clive Christian's best, although that may change after giving full wears to the other fragrances I have samples for. Performance was decent overall, even though sample vials have horrible atomizers with no dispersion. Projection was moderate, it seemed to project a decent 2-3 feet off me and sillage was light to moderate. Projection seemed to last around 2 hours, which is when I was catching whiffs of it easily, but I could still pick it up randomly about 4-5 hours after spraying it on. Longevity was a good 6 hours and I'm sure with a proper atomizer it could last much longer than that. I'm pretty confident Contemporary performs better in all fronts if you apply it off a decent atomizer.

I am a Clive Christian fan and have amassed a decent collection of bottles over the years. My nose is now more "refined" to like less artsy, niche (different) stuff and more so high quality fragrances that don't veer a ton from the mainstream. This fits that ticket nicely. It is very rich and classy. As a result, I think it's a bit mature smelling, without giving "old man" vibes. I'm 30; it feels perfectly suited, especially in professional setting. It's upscale for sure. This is a year-round fragrance, but cooler temperatures bring out the best qualities. Other fragrances it reminds me of and comments on what others compared it to: - Clive Christian Cedar Leaf: this is the closest I've smelled to it. I wish I would've bought it when it was out. I think this is an improvement upon its scent profile. Cedar Leaf is a lot more cedar-forward. This is more barbershop-y. - Clive Christian Rock Rose: the base smells rather similar. Contemporary is a smoother version. Rock Rose can be a slightly sharp. I prefer Contemporary. - Ralph Lauren Purple Label EDT: someone called this a "niche" version of it. I'd somewhat agree. Purple Label has a lot more tobacco. I think both smell equally high quality, but Contemporary fixes the performance issues of Purple Label. By proxy, this also is slightly akin to Bond No. 9 Bleecker Street. - Mixing Rock Rose and Purple Label is surprisingly close to Contemporary, although Contemporary is like taking that and improving it. Overall, this is one of my favorite Clive Christians I've owned. Jump Up and Kiss Me Hedonistic is the only one I like better.

I love the style of these bottles, something about them feels very prestigious, and they all have such explosive atomizers!! This fragrance has such a juicy blackberry sweetness, with an absolutely invigorating peppery spice, and a freshness that makes you sing joys of praise for your sense of smell and respiratory system Halleluyah

I love the opening of this. It's perfect for me. It kind of has the base of rock rose and has some similarities to Bleeker St a little. This is my 2nd fave behind Blonde Amber.

Today’s review marks a return to the house of Clive Christian, following my recent experience with Town & Country, with Contemporary now taking the spotlight. As the name suggests, this fragrance positions itself as a modern interpretation of refinement, aiming to balance the brand’s reputation for opulence with a more streamlined and current sensibility. Rather than leaning fully into richness or excess, Contemporary suggests a cleaner, more controlled approach, one that emphasizes polish and approachability while still maintaining a sense of luxury. Sitting at the intersection of tradition and modern taste, the question becomes how successfully it translates Clive Christian’s signature style into something more restrained. Let’s see how that modern interpretation presents itself once worn. Opening: The opening is fruity, earthy, and woody. The most prominent notes are blackberry, moss, cedar, and nutmeg, with blackberry and moss immediately taking the lead. Right from the first spray, I pick up on a sweet, juicy blackberry accord that feels natural and vibrant rather than syrupy. It closely resembles the blackberry used in Amouage’s Jubilation line, sharing that same ripe and realistic character. Moss arrives almost simultaneously and in equal measure, grounding the sweetness with a distinctly earthy accord reminiscent of damp soil and forest floor. Cedar follows, adding a dry, sturdy woodiness that avoids the pencil shaving effect sometimes associated with cedar notes. Finally, nutmeg rounds out the opening with a gentle warmth and subtle spiciness that adds depth and dimension. Geranium is also present, contributing a faint rosy floral nuance, though it remains firmly in the background. The interplay between the blackberry and moss is particularly compelling here, recalling the idea behind Ralph Lauren Purple Label, but executed with noticeably higher quality and refinement. Dry Down: The dry down shifts into a powdery, woody, and spicy profile. Iris and cedar now emerge as the dominant notes, supported by nutmeg and moss. The transition is more pronounced than expected, with iris stepping into the spotlight through a strong powdery presence. While floral facets are present, the emphasis is clearly on the smooth powder rather than overt florality. Cedar reinforces this phase with an amplified dose of dry woodiness, pairing so seamlessly with the iris that it initially gives the impression of sandalwood. Nutmeg gains more presence as well, offering a warm, softly spiced undertone that echoes the opening. Lastly, moss recedes significantly, lingering only as a quiet earthy accent beneath the composition. There's some leftover sweetness from the blackberry as well, but it's an afterthought at this stage in the development. Performance: Projection during the first hour is strong, reaching roughly four to six feet and producing a clearly noticeable scent trail. Around the four hour mark, both projection and sillage remain largely unchanged, maintaining a steady presence without becoming overwhelming. By the seven to eight hour point, the projection settles closer to three to four feet, with the scent trail becoming lighter but still perceptible. The fragrance eventually transitions into a skin scent at approximately the ten hour mark. Overall, performance is respectable, though it stops just short of being particularly impressive, especially when compared to Town & Country. When to Wear: Contemporary proves to be a surprisingly versatile fragrance. The fruity and earthy opening feels well-suited to warmer weather, while the powdery and woody dry down adapts comfortably to cooler conditions. Its balanced nature also makes it easy to dress up or down. Casual wear, formal settings, and special occasions all feel appropriate, and it can even work in an office environment, provided application is kept in check. Blind Buy: This is not a safe blind buy, primarily due to the pronounced earthiness from the moss in the opening. That damp, soil-like quality will not appeal to everyone. However, for those who gravitate toward earthy compositions or enjoy powdery, iris-forward dry downs, Contemporary is well worth sampling. Final Verdict: Contemporary immediately captured my attention with its opening, where the combination of juicy blackberry and earthy moss creates a striking and well-executed contrast. That initial phase feels confident and engaging, setting expectations high. While the dry down remains pleasant and well blended, it lacks the same level of inspiration and intrigue found in the opening, settling into a more familiar powdery and woody profile. Performance is solid but falls slightly short of what I experienced with Town & Country, making the overall impression feel a bit less compelling by comparison. As a result, Contemporary does not quite earn a place in my personal collection. That said, it remains a well-crafted fragrance and an enjoyable wear, even if it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity rather than a standout within the house. Scent: 7/10 Longevity: 8/10 Sillage: 8/10 Versatility: Very high Mass Appeal: Average Gender: Masculine Value: Extremely overpriced