Flame & Fortune

I got my hands on a sample of this, a fragrance I read really positive things about from two professional fragrance writers whose work I respect. Let's just say that Flame & Fortune totally confirms my trusting their opinions. The name is very appropriate: heat of all kinds is a leitmotif. The bouquet of white flowers remind me specifically of that hour immediately after sunset in very hot countries when their fragrance hangs heavy in the air, almost as if it's still pulsating with the daytime sun's warmth. There's the spicy heat of pink pepper and ginger that is very noticeable in this juice. Combined with the citrus, here the combination also has a freshness, a cleanliness; a bit like the olfactory equivalent of a palette-cleanser. So perhaps it's even a little gourmand because it behaves in the nose in much the way good chef's use these as cooking ingredients. Then, as it dries down, it reveals a whole other layer, also fiery. It's not so much the smell of wood or smoke but rather that very clean burning smell that you get from a wood campfire under a clear night sky out in the wilderness while it's still smouldering. This combines beautifully with a note of an aged, not exactly smoky but rather smoke-line aroma you get with certain good tequilas or mezcals. And, yes, there is even a little hint of motor oil. But don't be put off by that: this is a bold fragrance, but it is also a very good one. This slight hint of motor oil isn't in the realms of juices that set out to impress with "whacky" ingredients, but rather how it blends beautifully with the other bass notes that seem familiar but also slightly elusive. This is definitely one that I think will go on the wish list of many who try it. One word of advice for men who might be worried about "feminine" fragrances (whatever that even means), do not be put off by the floral sweetness of the first hit if sampling it. Within ten minutes, those deep bass notes balance this out to what is a truly unisex fragrance.

I LOVE this fragrance. I bought a 15ML of it and just now found a FB at half price. Gorgeous and long lasting. The smokiness stays on my skin for ages. Some reviewers here have indicated that they think the fragrance is dull - I disagree - but can see that it MIGHT be similar to other oriental ambers in a way. But none of those that I have smelled have this supreme smokiness. It lasts and lasts and to me is very distinctive. I think I prefer to wear this in the cooler months, and I can see it being a night time fragrance but also is sophisticated enough to wear during the day. I see it's divisive, but I tend to love divisive fragrances. I wouldn't blind buy this bc of how people perceive this scent. To me, it's an elegant woman, tall and thin, with perhaps a 1920s style dress, long gloves and a cigarette holder. She is smoking. I could also imagine a dapper man, perhaps with a scarf around his lapels wearing this. If you hate smokiness skip this because the flame element is really strong in this fragrance. To me the scent and the longevity make it at least a 9,5/10

impressions: hot and cold, sweet and bitter, almost mentholated bubblegum white floral details: long lasting and powerful fragrance with an addictive sillage and combination of icy and hot notes. on paper, there are no "cold" notes but this is the impression i have - it's a cold smoke, the scent of something charred on ice. perhaps this is the white florals and petigrain playing against the liquor, ginger, pink peppercorns and "fire" note. fragrantica is missing a few notes as well - mezcal, motor oil and burnt wood. i think the motor oil note lends this nose tickling mentholated quality that keeps things so darn interesting. to me this is neither sweet nor savoury, but a friend commented on its sweetness, so i think it's a shapeshifter and definitely one to test! i'll be getting a full bottle, it’s so addictive and makes me feel like going to a bar for a strong cocktail, even when I’m sitting at my desk at midday.

Oh sweet, juicy, flame charred red capsicum! This is deliciously intoxicating. And smokey! I could not stop smelling myself. One spray on clothing lasted all day, all night, and into the next day. It might still be there if I hadn't done laundry. I see this as the signature scent of rebellious people everywhere. Suitable for all radical events. Pot luck dinners at the Anarchist Bookstore. Protesting yet another unjustified police killing. Another night of spray painting “all property is theft” on banks that got bailed out while we lost homes and jobs. Wear Flame and Fortune as you watch the whole stinking, corrupt, system burn to the ground. Gloriously. It's a great big LOVE from me. NB This is a perfume review, not a manifesto.

I love this. It manages to be edgy and wearable. I wear this with my leather jacket and feel like a badass. The bold florals complement and balance the notes of smoke, fire and motor oil. It feels a bit dusty at times too, in a pleasant way. The (clean) motor oil note is prominent on my skin for the whole time I'm wearing it, until about 5 hours when it gives way somewhat to amber. I wore it yesterday on my bike in the cold weather and kept getting good whiffs of it throughout the day. Good performance. This fragrance feels like the romanticization of a mechanic. It's rugged, beautiful and soot-stained but there's somehow nothing dirty about it.