LTH/02 Leather Freestyle

A Primal And Refined Experience In Jazz music, improvisation (which is by definition free from styles, like freestyle) is a key element and this is certainly one of the “trademarks” of Freestyle. This is because, in fact, in Freestyle you should work on accents, phase shifts, dissonances, assonances and many other aspects concerning syncopation, as in so-called “improvised” music. There are many of these concepts in LTH/02 Freestyle, as many of the notes that seem dissonant, blend and fuse gracefully to release a divine sound. In LHT/02 Freestyle, the main note that conducts the orchestra is leather, as in the other fragrances of the Ingredients Stories LTH collection, refined and gentle, supported by some elements of the orchestra that stand out a bit from the chorus, such as the spicy note of pepper and the smoked one of incense. Open citrus, spicy. Bergamot and pepper are dominant; the pepper is vivid, tart and freshly ground, with bitter undertones of spicy orange and powdery bergamot. Instead, the frankincense and leather are silent, sleeping peacefully in the background. An aromatic and peppery start, which shows no trace of a leathery accord. In the first moments, Freestyle seems like a fresh and aromatic everyday perfume, reminiscent of nature, green landscapes, forests and woods. You might also pick up a vegetal and green undertone, probably accentuated by the vetiver. However, Leather Freestyle needs time to warm up and reveal its genuine nature. In less than a few minutes, a creamy, powdery, luscious white chocolate aroma rises from my warm skin. I have no idea what could cause such a pleasant aroma. A thick and crisp white chocolate tablet stuffed with pepper. Perhaps the base’s refined patchouli, waxy frankincense, molecular cashmeran and ambrofix could be the source of a cocoa-like smell. The fact is that this unexpected facet is so fascinating, enveloping, and pleasant. It happens all the times I reapply it, so it is not just an illusion. Slowly, a very pleasant resinous, polished, and smoky olibanum blooms and reveals all its sacred beauty. It is a clean resinous quality and there are no influences of clerical or ecclesiastical aspects, but a mineral and mossy atmosphere. So calming and feels unusually clean. The powdery chocolate nuance is now tamed, while a burnt woodiness takes place, courtesy of guaiac wood. There’s a sort of greenness coming from the vetiver, with earthy and musky vibes. I seem to detect mineral tips here and there, clean and salty, which I bet are released by the expensive ambrofix, so woody and amber. Mineral and ozonic like the first drops of summer rain after a long period of drought. This intermediate phase lasts a few hours, and the aroma does not change much. There are both dry and wet aspects. Is that all there is to it, you might be wondering? No, there is much more, because the fragrance takes a new direction at the end. This is the time to show the timid leathery facet of this Leather Freestyle. Do not expect raw or animal leather, because there is no hint of dye or shoe polish. This is a smoky suede, like a reindeer jacket that has been sitting near a campfire for a while. Cistus labdanum is responsible for the mild leathery accord. There is no saffron or birch wood here. After nearly four hours, the vanilla takes place and blends with the thick olibanum still vivid. This duo has a vibe that reminds me of Supreme Vanilla, that sweet popcorn-like aroma. Creamy and milky cashmeran, salty ambergris, and smoky vanilla are what remain stuck to the skin and clothes. Two days after, a smoky and earthy leathery trail oozes from the blotter. Freestyle is an intimate suede, a pure and uncontaminated velvety leather, which does not scream and does not want to be the protagonist. It doesn’t need to announce itself from afar. You have to get close to it to discover all its faces and beauty. If the sillage is moderate and soon tends to approach the skin, longevity is above average. At first glance, it doesn’t smell like anything else remotely close to it. This is why I decided to buy this one among the three, even though LTH/01 and LTH/03 are more heavy on the leather note. I think it is suitable for the colder days and evenings of late autumn and winter, not screaming, not obnoxious, and great for leisure and work. Ultimately, a smoky, leathery fragrance characterized by a sparkle of leather that intertwines perfectly with the richness of incense. I'm formulating my impression on a bottle I've owned since December 2023 (BC 33270).

Top: Bergamot, Bitter orange, Black Pepper, Olibanum Mid: Guaiac wood, Cashmeran vetiver, Ambrofix Base: Patchouli, Cistus, Vanilla, Leather Om my god, this is just divine. What a great creation and of all 3 of this collection, it has become my favorite. It envelopes me with a scent bubble that I want to live in all day, so nice, so comforting . It's on sale now so go and grab yourself a bottle or 2, you won't regret it Edit 01/12/24 : still a big love but unfortunately is does not linger very long on skin ( or maybe I go nose-blind to it after a while ) , on fabric it performs better . But man, that opening is divine. I read somewhere here in a review of the many Zara perfume that they put on the market an analytic view on how their perfumes are created and it stated something in the trend of : Since these perfumes are located near the cash register and often people don't stay very long in line, the opening of the perfume must grab you , which is often does , so you impuls buy it. I think this person's description is spot on as I see many people buying their perfumes like that; by chance, while they wait in line. This said; they did bring out some bangers and some of them are quite strong / last long so Zara, keep up the good work and keep surprising us please.

Bought this on sale for about 6 euros and managed to wear it for more than 2 weeks constantly because it is so gooood. Did not expected zara to release a perfume reminiscent of the scent profiles used between 1995 and late 2000s, I would put it in the same league with YSL Kouros, Gucci Guilty Absolute, Dior Fahrenheit, and even Givenchy Play Intense. This is an uber masculine woody, leathery, sweet scent with a slight barbershop style freshness in the background. The leather is rough, raw and there is also a creamy chocolate accord mixed with peppery spices. Longevity and projection are great and I think this will shine in the late autumn with a leather jacket. Buy it while you still can as this will be discontinued soon.

This one became my favourite leather fragrance - it's both leathery (suede kind of leather) and refreshing/uplifting - makes me want to wear it even on summer nights. It has average projection on my skin but in terms of longevity I can still smell it after 12 hours (it smells much better on skin than on paper or clothes). Great value and quality, unique - my top 3 from latest Zara's series with WO/02 and TOB/03 and top 5 in 2023 overall releases. It may also be good for layering.

This is a good clone of Memoir Man by Amouage, perhaps just not as long lasting. For just 10% the price of the actual Memoir, this is a steal. The scent is earthy, a slightly bitter fougère and leather. It would probably be a more evening and night time scent. Wish I had gotten another bottle while it was still available.

This is in my opinion a dead ringer dupe for Memoir Man by Amouage. The worm wood note stands out and is very wearable. Longevity and spillage are decent too. If you missed out on Memoir man this is your best ticket for 17euros. A great winter fragrance. 8/10

Initial impression: what is this wonderful thing? The gentlest and most original of the three leathery in Ingredients Stories, chocolate, vanilla, powdery, and incensy.

Smells like walnuts when they are green.

Smells a bit like entering a leather bag store. But there is also a rich other layer - the spices add warmth, depth and a bit of sweetness. I'd say there's some wine notes as well. When sprayed over clothes, I feel that the leather notes come through more, as opposed to warmer notes coming through more on skin. It's quite creative for a clothing store fragrance, but still rather on the normie side - good casual wear. A downside for me is that it's remiscent of room fragrances - i.e. the inside of an upscale clothing store, or a gentleman's club - so you end up feeling a bit like you applied room spray to yourself. Still would recommend, since it has great price value.

I could not find any similaries between this and Memoir man. There is a harsh leathery opening in the start and them cooled down. Lr perfumes Bruce Willis Personel Addion is more close to this one. Its not bad, in fact it is a good leather-animalic perfume for its price but again for sure there is nothing close to Memoir Man.

First puff is pure black pepper and smoke, almost nauseating to me. After some minutes it finally start to show some sweetness and a milder smokiness. There is an oud accent to it as well but it's very synthetic and almost gasoline-ish. Maybe not to everyone.

Strange fragrance, smells like the spicey base notes from Mancera Intense Cedrat Boise, but it's missing the whole other half of the fragrance with the woods, fruits. Least favourite from this leather line at Zara.

This is straight up leather and black pepper on opening, no bergamot to be seen. As I wrote in another Zara review I am starting to believe they mess up in the factory and bottle fragrances in wrong bottles, this is leather like it should be in the other two Zara LTH 01 and 03, that I did not buy so I can't vouch for those. It is very, very similar to Varvatos Dark Rebel Rider so if you own that save your money. If you like a soft leather, read a nice pair of shoes smell, you'll like this and it is so cheap especially on sale. Me, I have wasted more money on a redundant perfume. Reading other opinions I realise everyday more how descriptions are often total fantasy.

Notes as per packaging (what the hell is wrong with the person putting up the note breakdown on Fragrantica?): Top: Bergamot, Bitter orange, Black Pepper, Olibanum Mid: Guaiac wood, Cashmeran vetiver, Ambrofix Base: Patchouli, Cistus, Vanilla, Leather The notes highlighted in bold are bergamot, olibanum, guaiac wood, and leather. My favourite of the three and not just because I find the other two redundant (being the gazillionth Tuscan and Ombre Leather clones), but because it is a genuinely interesting fragrance. The bergamot and the incense are the most prominent notes to me, along with some non-descript sweetness.

Best choice to my nose out of S.T.I.L.L. Leather and Know The Leather when testing in store. I like the bitter leather top note (and lack of saffron or iris as in the others). I wanted something that is similar to Wholly Kaw Cuero Obscuro; which may be discontinued (very polarising but I love that one). Kind of wish it was more like that throughout, but it dries down to a very creamy sweet note - a bit like that of labdanum, but with a tang to it. Quite long lasting and one spray is enough; as can become cloying if in enclosed spaces.

This one is the least leathery from 3 fragrances from the LTH leather line. The leather here is more hidden in the background. It is joined by some sweeter notes, maybe tonka or vanilla? That makes the scent a bit powdery. I liked it quite a lot in the beginning but as it dries down it becomes a bit too dusty for me. Overall not a bad scent. I can't tell if this is a clone of something. EDIT: also reminds me of CH Men Privé as it dries down. Might be a good reference point

This smells exactly like smoked plums, i mean exactly the same. I come from a culture where this is a plus,, your milage might vary.

Focus on leather with herbal opening, then it shows hints of animalic notes like Lagerfied classic .

Somebody said it right, scent of a smoked plums. For that reason its a solid autumn fragrance

If you like sniffing gasoline, just go for it! I love it, it's sexiest of all 3

This is a clone of memoir man. Pretty good one too.