Krmarich

I had to persue an original splash bottle from Lagerfeld Perfumes and not Coty. The difference between the two is somewhat vast. The later is a pale chemical laden shadow of the original. The original is a shocker in every sense. The resemblance to Shalimar is uncanny. Considering Karl Lagerfeld himself used Shalimar, it was no surprise that the notes are so close. Add tobacco flower and oakmoss and you have unisex masterpiece

The iris/vanilla get powdery and old school-say 1790s powdered wig...Its contemporay character is barbershop clean. I dont find it overly sexy or sweet. Its is my "go to" comfort scent in winter months.

I originally had a bottle in 1986 and thought of like candy. My collection only included YSL Kouros and Paco Pabanne PH and a few others. This was the avant gard formula that encouraged me to declare an art major. Its was a very "New Age" choice.

If you were a fan and want to hunt some down, make sure to look for the old packaging with the longer letters. It is just Lagerfeld and not classic. Its out there and getting harder to find.

Coty really knows how to destroy a classic!

Casmir was a 1990s era masterpeice. Oriental magic with lots of creamy vanilla accords that seemed to go on forever.

Jasmine and lily of the valley take the center of attention. Carnation-its there, lending a reserved spiciness. Its is mostly toasty tonka/benzoin/amber with patcholi holding it together. Its seductive quality should be a controlled substance. Oh, this baby has lots of castoreum in it. My cat divebombs me it I wear it!

The bottle is like an Indian fairy tale. The lotus logo is sublime, promising tranquility. Indeed, this is a bedtime fragrance. Its ideal for young mothers holding who will give young babies enchanted memories of comforting vanilla.


I have an original splash bottle from 1991 and it has held together perfectly. Why wasnt it promoted more? This is/was the first real gourmand.

Apparently there is a bad reformulation that many are sadly experiencing. Burnt Plastic vanilla? Really? I am heartbroken...

I discovered an original black 1.6oz EDT box circa 1983 on e-bay. It is quite different from the familiar formula on todays market. This was truely the biggest and best rose perfume ever made. In its time, I only detected it from afar. Indeed by 1985, it was everywhere. The traffic jam of perfume from that era shall never be forgotten or matched.

Paris however was different. Its pays tribute to Apres l'Ondee and was like Nahema containing a profusion of rose damascenones so boldly. This is YSL running along side Guerlain equally. It is Sophia Grojsman's magnum opus. It is the definitive French rose perfume. Its production cost had to be astronomical at the time and it gradually weakend to the current formula.

This original bottle relys little on the supporting cast of violet and mimosa. The rose dominates the composition for hours and then the natural, rich sandalwood and oakmoss hold it up even further. They are no longer in the pink box.

This isnt sexy like Opium, bold like Rive Gauche or mysterious like Y. As great as they are, Paris explores love. This is the gentle, blushing, innocent love that happens once in a lifetime. One drop on your pulse is profound. It gets under your skin and into your heart. Its mood enhancing and hypnotic. I can almost taste the rose.

Paris is a timeless 20th century giant that was really only around for about 5 year in its pure strength. No wonder it was on display in the Louvre! It was a work of art. Often imitated, even by YSL itself, but never as great as those original bottles. Time is passing-get a bottle today before its too late!

My final bottle of vintage Kouros arrived last summer. Its a 1.6 oz splash. The price was worth it. The splash is the best way to control its power. The aldehydes are hushed. Just a drop is all it takes. This box came from the 1980s with the silver foil. The bottle reminds me of solid marble. It feels so clean and powerful in my hands. It is still radiant and warm. Now the magic begins...

I am forever 20, young and in style. Its 1984 every sniff I take! "When Doves Cry" was new on the radio, Ghostbusters in theaters, my hair was ratted high with mousse, long trenchcoats and elf boots were in style. I was a freshman in college. The world seemed so easy to conquer. Kouros was carefully tucked in my bookbag and worn liberally. I was the only man on campus to sport this fragrance. It helped boost my self esteem as everyone focused attention on me as I entered a classroom.

YSL had created "me" with this classic bottle of luxury. Sure, others would follow-Paco Rabanne PH, Drakkar Noir, Lagerfeld and even CK Calvin. Yes, the perfume revolution began with Kouros. I found that I could control crowds without saying a word! Yes, it was like a chapter from "Perfume" by Suskind! That was the power of the "powerhouse". Ladies had Poison, Opium and Knowing to use.

I never paid attention to the notes. It was this "magical potion" that just worked, honestly! Kouros had this subjugating effect on those around me. It made me feel sexy and magnetizing. I remained single, celibate and the center of attention throughout the 80s. The 90s is another story... Kouros put the "come hither" on anyone I desired. It would accompany me for the rest of my life, through today. Pure Alpha Male...

Now, this 3rd and final bottle of my lifetime is in my hands. I hope to have it used up before I die, because it is too good to take to the grave! Its unfortunate that future generations will not get to feel its power. Yes, I am happy the "despot formula" is on the shelves. I will never own a bottle.

For those of you that developed an aversion to Kouros, you have my sympathy. May you never forget however, that once upon a time the was a mighty fashion house called YSL that made a holy water named Kouros that granted men the power of gods
!!!

I remember many girls at my university sporting this trendy, comfortable and beautiful scent. I enjoyed it in class and parties that since it is now lost, decided to get a bottle of the vintage before it was too late. What a great joy I find in it.

Its actually based on the original Champs Elyees from 1901! Bernard Chant was the nose who updated it with modern florals and fruits. Otherwise the violet rose chypre is vey classical. Indeed its one of the greatest losses of the perfume world.

Sadly, I dont think this one will ever return.