Hi there Posse, I know you’re all going through the hottest part of summer up there in the northern hemisphere. Some of you might be bummed that most of your leathers feel unwearable at this time of year. Well maybe I have a fix for you! I’ve been wearing my Creme de Cuir a bit this winter and finding it gorgeous BUT I keep thinking I’m wearing it in the wrong season. My memory keeps going too wearing it the warmer months and how much better it seemed to fit there.
I bought this bottle from Libertine Parfumerie here in Oz. Recently I also talked about Velvet Tonka here on the Posse.
Creme de Cuir by BDK Parfums
Libertine gives these featured accords:
Top: Mandarin, Bergamot, Pineapple
Heart: Pink berries, White suede, Sandalwood
Base: Vanilla, Birch oil, White musk, Grey musk
Nearly every BDK Parfums release that I smell is a winner. Sure, they’re not all my thing but even the ones I don’t want to wear seem beautifully and thoughtfully created. From soft florals and sweet nothing through to some seriously hefty bangers. Creme de Cuir fills the middle ground. It’s fragrant but quite lightweight, a sheer and misty version of what is usually one of the heaviest of hitters, leather.
The opening is tartly sweet, lip puckeringly so. I love it, so odd. Super sharp citrus, pineapple and berries. This opening only lasts about 20 or so seconds before the softest, creamiest leather you’ve ever come across enters. They all play together in a happily discordant way. No one’s battling for supremacy, this is a harmonious meeting of entirely different chill entities. The fruity component then manages to peek-a-boo in and out during the fragrances heart. I also get little hints of popcorn through the heart, unexpected but fun.
As the leather, vanilla and very lightly salty dry down arrive the whole fragrance mellows even more. The base is not sweet vanilla but a dryer and darker piece of the puzzle. I’m sure the sandalwood is adding to the creaminess that gives Creme de Cuir its name. You’d think with birch oil in the mix there would be that very overwhelming, punch in the face leather but you’ll be surprised at the light touch used. Even with all these seriously heavy hitting notes it’s still a lovely, enveloping wash.
Unisex, longevity and projection are better than average.
Surrender To Chance has samples
So, what do you think? Do you need a summer weight leather?
Portia xx
Couldn’t comment last night- system said my iPad was spam. This seems really nice. Wonder if they have it at ScentBar?
It’s funny how some things are better in heat. There are several of the more “Marrakesh” types of of SL’s that I was at first afraid to wear in high simmer but boy do they work!
Ooooh! Like Arabie and Chergui Tom? I love them in the heat. Also Santal Majuscule, but sadly if it’s humid it becomes quite claustrophobic for me.
Portia xx
Oh this sounds LOVELY and also that bottle is gorgeous. I agree with you that it’d likely be perfect in the warmer weather, too. BTW I am really enjoying my samples of Elie Saab Intense, thanks to you.
Heya March! I’m so glad about the Elie Saab. It’s so pretty and I bet you smell gorgeous in it.
Portia xx
I wear my heaviest hitters in the heaviest hitting heat of Summer – I was taught by my original Amouage SA that those scents (the attars, the leathers) are designed to bloom in the heat (of which they have in abundance) – so… Tribute? Cuir de Russie? Lyric? BRING IT! Also the one in the tall bottle with a blue label that I seem to have misplaced… it’s an oudy leather… fabulous in 90F weather! Oddly sour in cooler temps
I save the softer leathers and flowers for slightly cooler weather, as they tend to get devoured in the heat & humidity.
Ah! I love Ubar in the heat Musette. Amouage is made for hot places. Good call.
This sounds very sophisticated and classy, Portia. Very tempting as a fall transition scent.
Hey DinaC,
Yeah, perfect as you’re heading cooler with warm days.
Do you currently have a favourite lightweight leather?
Portia xx
Love Bottega Veneta and Hermes Cuir d’Ange. Both are soft and sensual, feel luxurious.
Two of my all time faves too DinaC
That opening made me sit up and wonder. Just sounds so unusual in the context — and a bit more-ish. As to the rest of it, I’m not sure. I think if I came across the fragrance somewhere I’d certainly try it, but maybe wouldn’t go out of my way.
I’d be very interested in your take on it Cinnamon, we have quite different reactions to many of the same fragrances. Then at other times we snap.
Portia xx
This sounds beautiful & it reads from your description as if it might be a good sub for my vintish Daim Blond if I decide against replacing it with the latest bell jar.
There again Liz Moore has just release Epona in the UK & it’s stunning. Perfumer H have released Saddle too
OOOOHHHH! So much leather Alityke,
Sadly Daim Blond never lifts on my skin at all. I wish it was as lovely for me as for so many of you. It’s nice but flat.
Good luck choosing between all the lovely modern leathers.
Portia xx
How does Daim Blond perform on Jin? His favourite Bottega Veneta smells similar to Daim Blond on me, maybe less jammy but similar.
Daim Blond is like the prim wallflower sister, similar but oh so quiet. I did try it on him and in my memory (unreliable at best) it was so much less than BV.
Now you’ve got me wondering. I’ll see if I can get some on him this weekend.
Portia
Do feed back. I prefer DB on cooler days & BV in high summer. BV Eau Legere is great for those hideous, humid, dog days.
Why did they murder it? X