Black Comme des Garçons Comme des Garçons 2013

There are fragrances that immediately captivate you and become a steadfast companion. Black by Comme des Garçons was my signature scent for many years - a fragrance that has accentuated not only everyday life but also special moments with its unmistakable presence. The dark, smoky aura that Black radiates has fascinated me from the very beginning. Comme des Garçons is known for its avant-garde creations, and Black is nothing less than a masterpiece in this regard. It is a scent that captures the raw power of fire and ash, an embodiment of darkness, but also of warmth and depth.

The first spray transports me directly into a world full of intensity. Black begins with a striking top note of Somali frankincense and Madagascar pepper. The frankincense dominates, but it is not a soft, warm frankincense. Instead, it collides with the sharp, almost biting pepper, creating a feeling of burning embers. The frankincense in Black is dark, almost ethereal - like smoke hovering in the air, heavy and mysterious. The pepper adds a tingling spiciness that tickles the skin and immediately captivates the senses. It is a powerful, almost tempestuous opening that knows no restraint.

Soon, the heart note comes to the forefront, revealing the true essence of this fragrance. Here, licorice, Pepperwood™ (a synthetic fragrance ingredient from Givaudan), birch tar, and leather come together, a combination that, for me, embodies the essence of Black. The licorice is intense and spicy, adding a deep, sweet sharpness reminiscent of burnt confections. At the same time, the birch tar brings a heavy smokiness that makes the fragrance almost animalistic. It is this tar that gives Black its extreme darkness - it smells of burnt wood, of glowing coals that continue to emit their scent long after they have extinguished.

The leather notes complete this smoky depth. It is not a soft, supple leather, but rather the rough, untamed side. You can almost feel the coarseness of the material that lingers in the air, like a worn leather chair in an old bar or aging but sturdy horse tack. The leather gives Black structure and form, making the fragrance tactile and palpable. The Pepperwood™ note enhances the feeling of embers and fire - it is almost as if you find yourself in the midst of a blazing fire of spicy woods and hot leather.

The base of Black perfectly rounds off this fragrance and gives it a lasting depth. Cedarwood and vetiver combine to create an earthy, woody foundation that integrates seamlessly into the smoky composition. The cedarwood imparts a dry, almost dusty note, while the vetiver adds a green, slightly sharp freshness. These base notes are soothing yet rugged at the same time - like the ash that remains after a fire, dark yet full of life.

What makes Black so unique is its ability to unite extremes. It is a fragrance that combines darkness and light, smoke and spices, leather and wood in a dramatic yet balanced interplay. Black is not a scent for every moment - it demands a certain attitude and strength. For me, it has been the olfactory embodiment of confidence and strength for many years, a fragrance that radiates both distance and intimacy.

With Black, Comme des Garçons has created a fragrance that is both masculine and avant-garde. The dark, smoky notes convey a certain wildness and nonconformity that have always fascinated me. And although the scent is intense and heavy, it still carries a certain lightness and freshness, subtly hinted at by the vetiver and citrus nuances. It is a fragrance that unites contradictory qualities - dark yet vibrant, heavy yet sharp, rough yet elegant.

"Black as fire - Black is the olfactory embodiment of embers, smoke, and the earthy power of leather, dancing on the skin in a spicy-woody play of extremes."