Halston Couture

I've been thinking about how certain scents spark synaptic sensations in the hippocampus, specifically my own. I could take the onion of my life and peel it back, layer by layer, to reveal what is the motivator for my attraction to the accords that often appear in, say, chypres. Are some of my earliest memories unlocked? Were some of the first smells I encountered as an infant, those of family or just the general populace wearing chypre fragrances? A deeper exploration may reveal something even more complex, labyrinthine even, about my psyche and how its tied to olfactive memory. Halston Couture is one of those that quickens the synapses to a far away place with far away memories. It gives me the same frisson that Aromatics Elixir or Jean-Louis Scherrer does, green, stemmy, herbal, and rosy reveries. A similar sensation may come from an older film where echoes of the past are baked into the emulsion. Some aspects do feel like those 'fumes that were released ten or more years earlier, but the red and green forest chewiness is, dare I say, unique to it. Perhaps it's the volume of patchouli, oakmoss, and amber underlining its rosy, violet-hued verdancy. It pushes the limits in this regard, which makes it even more fascinating as an 80s release. It elicits a 'saudade' in me: a profound nostalgia for a life or past that I am not even sure I've ever lived.

Old school woody chypre in the best possible way. Still available under $30 USD from on-line retailers. H. Couture is a thick, heady brew in the same vein as Alliage and yes, Aromatics Elixir (minus the choking sensation AE always provokes in me). The oakmoss and patchouli are both thick and chewy but they're brightened by the bergamot and lemon and slightly sweetened by jasmine and deep red, velvety roses so it smells complex but not overpowering. All of the freshness of walk in a forest is in this bottle, from the darkness of moist earth to the juicy green "taste" of soft green moss and new green leaves, with the slight musty funk of mushrooms, blended seamlessly. Excellent longevity with medium sillage. Smells sophisticated and expensive. It's the only Halston I love. No lover of chypres and woody fragrances should be without this old gem.

Halston's Couture! Gorgeous and Sensuous bouquet of Rose Otto, muguet, lush violet, and the vibrancy of Jasmine...emboldened with bright citrus and fresh herbaceous notes deepened with a warm Chypre hush of French cypress and Oakmoss! An extraordinary experience and unforgettable as Halston remains. I remember Halston when he dressed up Martha Graham a Pioneer in Modern Dance she worked with Halston closely What an elegant woman she was and how fortunate she was to have Halston in her life! What a shame that this beaut is no longer in production they don't make these Chypres as they used to this is a must-have HALSTON COUTURE FOREVER! She Reigns all by herself no comparison to Paloma Picasso or Knowing she is simply HALSTON COUTURE.

I have loved this perfume from the first moment I smelled it on my skin!! It was a blind buy, I had no clue what to expect, however I was still stunned by how gorgeous this one is!! I'm reminded of the Sternwood sisters in a fabulous old Humphrey Bogart movie, "The Big Sleep". Original Halson is the younger sister, just full of attention seeking wiles but she makes no pretense to be anything other than what she is, blatant and trouble from the beginning. But Halston Couture is the older sister, sophisticated, sultry and gorgeous as only Lauren Bacall can be! She is complex, deep and alluring. Even more trouble than her little sister, but that enticing kind of trouble that you run towards rather than away.

To me, this IS chypre in all that I love about the genre. I have edc and I could wish for longer sillage, but for what it is, it's good. I never paid much attention to the Halston line back in the day. I think I sniffed his original and backed way off! I got it recently too, and it is enjoyable, after all after you get over the medicinal herb aspect. But this is better...herbal rose patchouli love.

I bought this bottle long before there was internet, and smart phones, and authorities commanding us to take REAL oakmoss out of perfumes. It is a true Chypre, unlike any other fragrance I own. I have gotten compliments from complete strangers while wearing it. No, it is not like Paloma Picasso. If you ever get a chance to try this, please do. It is unexpected and fabulous.

This is a very oakmoss -forward chypre. It's dark and witchy without being harsh or screechy. It reminds me of some other older perfumes I've smelled. A little bit of Magie Noir, but moreso similar to others I can't recall at the moment. When I figure it out I'll add it to this review. 7.5/10

I have it in EdC. There is no flowers at all. Only patchouli and oakmoss, woody-earthy 100%. Smells like drydown of green chypre scents like Jacomo Silences. I love it. Maybe EdP smells more floral.

Beautiful Chypre, just beautiful!! Elegant and dressy!! I wore it back in 1988. Rediscovered it recently!! :))

Smokey rose and oakmoss, warm amber and patchouli, a heavenly blend, highly addictive. Strong at first (makes you feel in command) later mellows nicely on skin into creamy woods (I also feel that there is some guaiac wood in it too). It takes time for it to unfold, as it is the equivalent of meditative saloons for tasting well made liquors. A chypre with character and a lot of attitude, but mind that you have to keep up to its qualities. I'm glad I own it and I'm glad to treat myself with it, it is always a pleasant olfactive experience.

Oh gee, part of the 80's!!! I liked this too in the Halstons although I lean toward fruity florals. Warms into a cozy powdery amber, jasmine, and rose smell on me. Niiiiiice!

Gorgeous rose/chypre, if Aromatics Elixir and Knowing had a love child, this would be it. It's a drier perfume, not as herbal (AE has camomile, geranium, and sage) as Aromatics Elixir, and less fruity than Knowing (Knowing has melon and plum notes, with the addition of oakmoss and orris, the fruit notes read juicy and not sticky sweet). I am comparing vintage perfumes (all bottles are late 1980's) to one another. For reference, Halston Couture and Knowing were both released in 1988. Chic and elegant.

This is an interesting 80s-style scent. It is similar to Halston by Halston, but it has another perfume grafted onto it. It is a mildly green chypre with a rose/amber/patchouli oriental squeezed into the same bottle. Surprisingly it’s not a train wreck. It’s full of that more-more 80s style, but the rich amber connects the two genres and maintains just enough tension to keep things from getting out of focus. If you want a better constructed chypre/oriental hybrid, try Lancome’s reissued Sikkim.

this is hard to wear-not for the faint hearted, demure girls.takes a perfume connoisseur to a sexy, warm skinned, woody journey. Woody, smoky rose powder entwines you like a silk jersey Halston dress, hugs your womanly curves and seduces without shame! not for floral or fruity floral girls. This perfume does not order appletinis in a bar, but single malts. Beware!

Thanks to Awesomeness I now have this wonderful bottle of elixor!!! Ohhhhhhhhhh Nice scent!!! Deep and rich like I like a good perfume to be, its alot on the lines of Aromatics Elixor, Strong and powerful and woodsy yet elegant. You either love it or hate it, no in between with this beauty, I LOVE IT.

if you have paloma picasso no need to bring it or if u have estee lauder knowing no need to buy it as it has same vibe but for me estee lauder more delicate and femmine in comparison with it i have eau de colgne version and ithink its more masculin than feminne

I had that perfume a long time ago...I recall it as warm, sexy, floral. At first it gives the impresion of an ordinarly floral perfume, but after some hour it becomes very feminine and intresting.I would like to buy it again!

Rose, patchouli, bergamot, oakmoss. It's all in there. And it's good. Cosy and different from regular Halston. I treasure my little bottle cuz I know they will never make this again.

A beautiful chypre. One of the best fragrances I have ever smelled!