More from Etat Libre d'Orange
Have you tried this fragrance?
Share your experience and help others discover great scents
I'm not the impartial person to review this perfume because I love both the perfumer and the brand and respect the mastery of Givaudan perfumers some of whom are viewed as the old guard, or a new generation of the old guard at least. There's a perception of them churning out minimalist pieces, based around tired and well trodden paths. Playing devils advocate.... that's exactly what She was an Anomaly is. If you're familiar with Andrier's work you'd know what to expect here, iris, gentle musk, powdery, warm and very minimal. To me this smells like a Grosjman accord based, ionone and woody musk base. The interesting twist is that this formula was created with the help of 'Carto' Givaudan's AI machine which makes suggestions to perfumers and allows them to create perfume in an intuitive and interesting new way. I welcome this sort of innovation, some might say it's a gimmick or be against such things, but the geek in me finds it really cool. Apparently Carto recomended overdosing certain materials to make it more iris like, encouragement I'm sure Daniela doesn't need to be told twice, favouring it as she does. Opens with that kind of violet, iris effect, quite dry, powdery and Iso E super like, a kind of soft wood. Then settled it's a much warmer, faux orris, buttery and musky maybe even a little ambrette like? It's not overly warm but it's balanced. I think what makes it is the story passionately conveyed by Etienne and Olivier from ELDO. I still don't get what it's about but... haha!
I can barely smell anything despite testing I varios different ways on skin and on card stock. What I can smell is a faint whiff of chemicals and some plastic.