Petite Mort (Parfum d'une Femme)

I was able to test a small amount of this controversial fragrance thanks to a generous friend. Upon smelling this, I had an instant scent recognition. Yes - a smell associated with sex, but probably not in a way the maker intended. To me, Petit Mort is the pungent smell of a long-gone (male) lover's armpit. An armpit which I wouldn't have voluntarily stuck my nose into... but when a man's on top in the throes of passion, sometimes one has no choice where ones nose gets wedged. An acrid smell... male body odour winning its battle with that morning's application of deodorant. If this scent is for women, perhaps it's something to help them fantasise about a man being present during acts of self-pleasure? I smell nothing in this scent which reminds me of feminine bodily odour (or at least not within my limited experience). Petit Mort becomes less disagreeable as it fades, but it still smells like a man's armpit.

Bollocks. Each woman`s smell is unique, and to homogonize us even at the level of biological secretions is pretty disturbing. Who are we all being modeled after exactly? Who has the ideal body smell? Body smell is personal and intimate and what makes it special is that only people we get carnal with really know what we smell like. Some things are meant to be kept a secret and I most certainly dont value the way this $!!:S& is trying to make a quick buck.

As far as the advert' goes, what's with the dude with the shoe polish on his face? Don't get that. I think the sapphic leather purse(?) is pretty tongue-in-cheek funny and artsy. Don't know about the purple either: regal? homosexual? the colour of a woman's face at climax? Who knows? The idea is fun, but I agree, us ladies all have a unique eau. I've had the pleasure of sampling a few eaux in my day and some were addictively intoxicating, and others left me cold. Follow your nose... Has anyone read "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues"? One of the main characters counsels women to dip a finger in their own "juices" and dab it behind their ears. So, in the idea of a fun and challenging excercise I appreciate the attempt. And Duchaufour is the man to ask. I love his work. However, I agree the $$$ leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This would have been an appropriate essay to share with other perfumers at the FIFI's, or some perfume convention, I don't know, but to release it in very limited quantities, for obscene amounts of money? Shame, shame.

Call me a sucker but if I had the extra cash and the right connections, I'd buy a bottle out of pure curiosity. I'd be curious as to whether the scent is a turn-on; curious as to how this random man in the world has interpreted us as a whole (eek, almost a pun); curious as to whether it is close to the real thing ...which, from the description, does not exactly sound like it is. Someone said it is reminiscent of a man's armpit, which is a scent I ADORE on the right man. So curiosity all around. Anyway I'm enjoying all the reviews here, although.. my first thoughts upon reading this description were intrigue and an admiration for a daring piece of art, but it seems some equate this with the likes of Penthouse and whore-houses :/

I tested a sample recently, and I have to say that to me this scent is misogyny in a bottle. I was eagerly expecting that sample and hoped for something sensual, inspiring, even mysterious. What I got was an interesting head note disappearing within seconds and an everlasting urea smell which reminded me of unkempt public conveniences. What then appeared underneath I deem an insult. You'll probably get the same smell if you neglect your private hygiene for some time. Which is a lot less expensive, too. I completely agree with Veroronnieronr and with everybody who thinks this venture to be one for the fast buck, extremely fast buck.