Gris Clair by Serge Lutens

Lavender, Amber, Tonka Bean, Iris, Wood, Incense.

It's always amusing reading reviews of The Serge's creations. His appeal is apparently enough to warrant a prodigious output, yet the opinions cover the entire spectrum.

Why should Gris Clair be any different? The "house feel" is evident in the opening and I get this somewhat weird chewing gum-lavender shaving cream vibe. It is extremely short lived and quickly transitions to a more conventional lavender. There's also a grainy quality assimilated with the dominant lavender note. This could be attributed to some resin and woodiness, but with The Serge, who's to say for certain? One thing is for sure and that is that Gris Clair isn't your run of the mill lavender frag.

The next transition exposes Gris Clair as the lavender woody it really is. A smokiness gradually becomes more pronounced and reveals a charring that isn't from a recent event. It's akin to something burned in the past and you are smelling the remnants.

There's a lack of warmth in Gris Clair. I feel as though I'm inside a stone cavern that's dry, stark and littered with campfire debris from years ago. Lavender is strewn about and these aromas are all mingling with the body talc I happen to be wearing. Strange but good and definitely in keeping with the Lutens mystique.

The drydown of Gris Clair is where the money is. The presence has lowered enough to state that it is now a close fragrance. The dissipating lavender, resins, smoky woods and subtle powder make for some eclectic bedfellows. I have to say I like it since I seem to be constantly sniffing during each wearing.

Sillage is good at the start and then morphs into a personal space scent. The longevity however is quite good even though the volume is low. Gris Clair leans more masculine than shared on me, but not so much that women would be disinterested. Thumbs up for Gris Clair and The Serge's Lavender Woody.