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La Collection Serpent

French Avenue 2008

7.8 / 10 56 Ratings

A popular perfume by French Avenue for women and men, released in 2008. The scent is woody-spicy. The longevity is above-average. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Woody

Spicy

Oriental

Resinous

Leathery

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Osmanthus

Heart Notes

Amber

Orris root

Synchronized Doorknob

Base Notes

Leather

Oud

Styrax

Qempfadrul

Perfumer

Stéphane Humbert Lucas

Ratings

Scent

7.856 Ratings

Longevity

8.550 Ratings

Sillage

7.950 Ratings

Bottle

8.969 Ratings

Value for money

6.119 Ratings

Submitted by Hermesh, last update on 08/31/2025.

Interesting Facts

The fragrance is part of the La Collection Serpent collection.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Black Gemstone

Reviews

5 in-depth fragrance descriptions

06/27/2024

8.5Scent 9Longevity 8Sillage

Ninamariah
282 Reviews

Ninamariah

1

The king of Snake Collection

STÉPHANE HUMBERT LUCAS
Harrods H Mamba 2015
La Collection Serpent
Unisex, leaning masculine

This masterfully blended perfume is the most unique one, “King” imo in this so called Snake Collection.

It has a similar juxtaposition of notes as Soleil De Jeddah OG has, both totally different scents though. Those juices are as well maybe one of the most artistic ones from SHL’s perfumes, at least what I have tried so far.

If I would describe this scent: I get the feeling of the burning sand in the heat of the dessert and this snake is there.

H Mamba opens up with Osmanthus which brings soft and sensual leathery feeling together with hints of Apricot and all that supports the leather note in the woody base. The opening fades away but the scent doesn’t change so much since it has same nuances from the start which you can find from the dry down. H Mamba is a warm and somewhat dry resinous scent with earthy vibe and there is all the notes which monsieur Lucas does the best: Amber, Iris (OrrisI Root) and balsamic notes - in this case Styrax. There is Leather and Oud in the base notes but those are not that evident, they give the body and richness to this mesmerising blend. As I’m a lover of those two notes I would say that this is quite safe but as a whole composition this not safe anymore - it’s so special. It needs a certain kind of mood to wear it. You can definitely detect a Leather if you are not so used to it but Oud is really tamed and not animalic in any kind of way. Anyway this is really well blended and no single note is standing above the others.

Longevity of this perfume is really good. I recommend to sample this first as I emphasise how unique this fragrance is but if you like SHL’s DNA and leather just go for it, your decision of course.
The only reason for voting score down is wearability. This is very artistic and it's not so easy to wear.

As you can see, this is not complex what comes to the notes but those has been ingeniously put together and the blend is brilliant.

Thank you for reading and I hope you liked my review.

I would appreciate a lot if you will follow me on
IG @ninamariah_perfumes
It gives me a motivation to write more.

08/15/2025

8Scent 9Longevity 8Sillage

Berkanlenck
119 Reviews

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Berkanlenck

Top Review 17

It will be exciting

It was one of those nights when the streets of London seemed to be enchanted by an invisible hand. The lanterns cast a warm, amber light that made the cobblestones shine like liquid gold. He walked slowly through the empty alleyways, and with every step a scent rose up that was unlike anything he knew: soft, almost sweet, but dark and mysterious at the same time.

Osmanthus, peach and a hint of vanilla wafted like fleeting memories of distant summer evenings. But underneath lay a deep, balsamic warmth of amber, oud and leather like the whispering echo of past stories that only the night can tell. Every breath was a dance between light and shadow, between warmth and cool mysticism.

He stopped in a side street. There she stood, wrapped in a black dress that carried the scent of styrax and smoke. Her eyes sparkled in the light of the lanterns, and when she reached out for him, he knew he couldn't resist. The scent connected them, like an invisible bond of velvet and fire that turned every movement into a secret ritual.

Time seemed to stand still while the city around them breathed, lived and whispered. H Mamba was not just a scent it was the night itself, captured in a single, unforgettable moment. A moment that would change him, that reminded him that beauty often lies in the shadows and that true elegance never has to be loud

11/18/2018

8.5Scent 9Longevity 8Sillage

Serenissima
743 Reviews

Translated · Show original

Serenissima

Top Review 14

do we need it?

To answer this question right away: Of course, we don't "need" it!
But it is absolutely beautiful!
And long-lasting!
And economical!
And getting to know it is simply a pleasure!
The decision is therefore up to each individual!

"Harrods" makes Styrax, this resin often used in incense, fully bloom for me (and that with my fish blood!).
I always describe the typical Styrax aroma as: "Vanilla with a hint of grated clove and also grated nutmeg."
Uniquely sweet, warm, and sensual in scent, but also with the motto: "If you like it, you like it!"

Here at "Harrods," Styrax explodes, putting all its power into the initial embrace.
Thanks to this sympathetic carrier, my fear threshold regarding leather and oud is significantly lower from the start: both have already fully and robustly developed by the time I emerge from my "Styrax high."
I haven't encountered such a harmoniously rounded fragrance composition that reveals itself to me from the base in a long time. Every fragrant mosaic piece fits perfectly in the place where it currently lies!
Fragrance notes that are not at all my favorites captivate me right from the beginning and until the scent fades. But when does that happen?
Slowly, Osmanthus, this quirky, slightly musty-smelling tea flower being, the picking result of just one night, dares to show itself.
It has an interestingly dosed iris root and a lot of gold-spraying, smoky amber in tow!

Stéphane Humbert Lucas has once again created a work of art from just a few fragrance notes that fascinates!
And it lasts for many hours: sprayed on in the evening instead of a nightgown, it is still there in the morning and even survives a long, far too warm comfort bath!
No fragrance has managed that before!

In any case, browsing through the "to go" samples from my beloved Parfumista was worth it once again:
"Harrods" is a magician, a seducer, and a very gallant companion!

I encounter a smart guy who might also become annoying.
Like one of those admirers who enchant with their presence and spirit; whose clinginess could also turn into the opposite.
The question that arises for me is also: "How do I get rid of this spirit that I summoned and that currently has a firm grip on me, if necessary?"
Washing will surely help with laundry; but can I shed my skin?
At the moment, we both still enjoy cuddling with each other; for how long ...

As with most fragrances from SHL, I am also thrilled by the ingenuity and the extreme allure that this mixture in the well-known bottle brings with it in "Harrods."
But I wouldn't buy this great fragrance: I'm not talking about the price; rather, I know: it won't be long before we get on each other's nerves!
A generous decanting is the better way; a path on which I will walk very devotedly for a while!

"Harrods" is - as one of my favorite authors would write here: a very fine little fabric!
That would be all said!

09/14/2020

8Scent 8Longevity 8Sillage

DarkWinterCS
145 Reviews

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DarkWinterCS

Helpful Review 6

Smoky-Brutal Crusades

I couldn't hide it. No matter how hard I tried to control myself, I couldn't hold back my enthusiasm.
It has clearly happened to me. Stephane Humbert Lucas has captivated me with his inspiration and perfume artistry in one fell swoop. Those who follow me or read my comments often know which fragrance I'm talking about. Black Gemstone was and is more than just a scent for me; it is a story that envelops you and doesn't let you go from its dark claws. Since it quickly developed into my new signature scent, I want to remain loyal to this wonderful brand with my testing.

There are primarily three fragrances on the agenda that have piqued my curiosity through their presentation, as well as through comments and statements. First, we have Soleil de Jeddah, then Mortal Skin, and lastly this one, the Harrods I am reviewing today. The latter is probably the most difficult scent to organize, as hardly anyone has it in their collection (THANK YOU again to the donor), and on the other hand, it is far too expensive for a blind buy. Currently, it costs about 7.22 euros per ml with shipping from Harrods.

Since our passion for perfume can indeed get quite extravagant, one likes to test the bolder or significantly more expensive fragrances as well.

One thing I noticed again with this scent. The fragrances from Stephane Humbert Lucas always tell a wonderful story. Images are repeatedly projected in my mind, so I need quiet while testing to absorb everything in the right perception. While Black Gemstone was a dark and frightening experience, the story of Harrods is more at home in the Arabian nights. I feel that the brand wants to evoke something threatening with its fragrances. This scent also does not tell the good sides of the Arabic-oriental latitudes.

It is a story full of conflicts, violence, and intrigue. Reminiscent of the times of the Crusades when the crusaders attacked and besieged the neutral and supportive city of Damascus.
You can mentally smell the fires, burning trees full of resin.
The troops ride with their cleaned leather saddles and groomed horses towards the gates.
In the air, you perceive the warming temperatures, exotic spices, and screams echoing from the city.

Although the siege lasted only five days, allies became enemies, enemies became vassals, and friends became guilty.

The scent, like its dark brother, aims to be more than just an accessory around people's necks. Much more a statement, a story, an emotion. Few manage to give the scent more to convince its wearer of itself. It may be only my second fragrance from Stephane Humbert Lucas, but the intention of the creations seems to become clear. Apparently, there is also plenty of inspiration to tell enough stories, and thus I cannot give this scent a bad rating.

To describe the scent in short, one word suffices: "Licorice".
It sounds unusual, but it smells exquisite and very aromatic. Of course, the scent can be broken down into its individual notes, but the overall construct smells like licorice.
The opening is dominated by smoke, slightly sweetened powder (iris root), and something dirty. I would attribute this partly to the oud, and it convinces across the board. Although the opening is already so full, I like the upcoming heart note even better. After about an hour, notes like leather and amber join in. The leather gives the scent some edges and corners, while the resinous notes soften the creation, allowing all the notes to unite and weave together even better.
Once the scent reaches the base, the powdery note is largely faded out, and the smoke dissipates, allowing for a clearer view again.

You can again positively highlight the performance of this scent. Two sprays and the day belongs to you. Only after 7 to 8 hours+ does the longevity reach its limits, letting the scent disappear into the desert of 1001 nights. The sillage is also once again very pleasant and allows the wearer to float in a small bubble of powder and leathery smoke for half the time before it becomes closer to the skin.

Now, however, to the most pressing question for me: do you want to smell like a piece of licorice, roughly and meanly said?
I have doubts about whether the scent is wearable for me, as I also categorize it a bit as a concept or art fragrance. Just trying something out, especially when it is an exclusive product for Harrods. But I must say, it is wonderful, so soft, so different, so incomparable. I also cannot consider my rating as final yet, as I am torn between an 8.5 and a 9.5.
As unique as the extraordinary bottle, which is beyond any doubt. The green-oriental snake has bitten and injected Harrods into its blood. I am confused.

03/12/2019

7Scent 6Longevity 5Sillage

Gelis
212 Reviews

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Gelis

Helpful Review 3

Different than expected

The dear Serenissima not only made this fragrance "appealing" to me with her comment, but also left me a few (the last?) drops. Thank you.

Yesterday I sprayed Harrods for the first time: licorice and a hint of smoke or no, rather light tobacco. That was it. Confused, I looked at the fragrance pyramid again. I had already interpreted orris root as licorice in a fragrance before. Well, it seems to be happening to me again with "Harrods." Today I sprayed the last drops on my wrist and towards my neck. The only change I perceive from yesterday is that a slight fruitiness has joined in. I still wouldn't say leather today. Thus, H presents itself to me as a lovely, slightly fruity licorice scent with a touch of tobacco, from the start to the fading without any noticeable change for me, except that it becomes weaker.

I find the scent quite okay, even though I expected something different, but it doesn't blow me away.