Cuir Fetiche by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier

Mandarin, Bergamot, Lemon, Geranium.
Leather, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Iris, Rose, Vanilla,
Musk, Ambergris, Patchouli, Cedar, Sandalwood.

It's always nice to wear a release by this house. Even the ones I don't care for manage to gain my respect in some fashion. Cuir Fetiche is a leathery floral that, in reality, is suitable for either gender. The opening leans a bit feminine for me, but it evolves within minutes to appease my need for a more obvious and masculine character.

The citric top is bright, almost sparkly with an immediate contribution from jasmine. This salutation is very good and a testament to the excellent blending that manifests in the remainder of the fragrance. Within 5 minutes, Cuir Fetiche has shed its initial greeting of citrus and morphs into leathery-floral mode. This stage is androgynous and smells dense without the usual heaviness.

The entire floral array contributes and by the heart accord, the result is a realization of all the listed notes you see above. Cuir Fetiche is a floral that's leathery as opposed to a straight up leather scent.

The jasmine note is one I detected first, yet manages to stand its ground when the others arrive. This is an intelligently tuned accord and am quite certain some thought went into this to get it just right. The iris and vanilla sand down any edges with a slowly emerging rose further embellishing the jasmine. The addition of resin in the base really accentuate its character.

The overall feel of Cuir Fetiche is actually traditional. The marketing leads one to assume that this may be risque, but it is very conventional to my nose. Naturally, this genre has been done before by very capable others. That however doesn't take away from how well this is constructed and how good it wears.

While Cuir Fetiche isn't breaking new ground, it has done justice to where others have already tread. Especially comfortable is the woody musk in the base and drydown with hints of earth and resin. The leathery quality is ever present, yet never dominates any of the transitions on my skin.

Sillage is good and longevity is approximately 5 hours. May I suggest trying Cuir Fetiche to those who have walked away from other notable leathers a bit disappointed. Thumbs up from Aromi for MPG's Cuir Fetiche.