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Issey Miyake a scent by issey miyake ~ new fragrance

Posted by Robin on 5 June 2009 94 Comments

a scent by issey miyakeIssey Miyake will launch a scent by issey miyake (yes, that's the name: a scent by issey miyake) in August. The new fragrance pays tribute to the "poetry of minimalism", and was inspired by the smell of the mountains in Japan.

A scent by issey miyake is a woodsy-floral-green-citrus fragrance, and was developed by perfumer Daphné Bugey. The notes include French verbena, jasmine and galbanum.

Issey Miyake a scent by issey miyake will be available in 30, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette. It can be pre-ordered now at Parfümerie Trenkel in Germany. (via myparfuemerie.de, additional information via osmoz)

Update: the 30 ml size will be a limited edition, but there will also be a 150 ml size in the regular line. Additional notes include hyacinth. (via moodiereport)

Another update: a more complete list of notes includes jasmine, musk, galbanum, lemon verbena, hyacinth, cedar wood and crystal moss. In the US, a scent by issey miyake will debut in Saks in August, and will go into wider distribution in September. (via wwd)

Yet another update: see a review of a scent by issey miyake.

Filed Under: new fragrances
Tagged With: daphne bugey, issey miyake

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94 Comments

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  1. pigoletto says:
    5 June 2009 at 10:47 am

    Ooh. I like the idea of the smell of the mountains. Probably wasn’t intentional, but it’s clever, that name. So many people never know what they’re wearing (the non-perfumistas of course) and just say they’re ‘something by…’.

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 10:55 am

      As someone who lives by Google, I find the name annoying…but for other purposes, yes, it’s cute.

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      • yzahbelle says:
        6 June 2009 at 3:56 am

        i agree.. i also dont like the name~~ they trying to make it catchy, but too many issey miyake and not really creative.. ;p

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        • Robin says:
          6 June 2009 at 10:08 am

          Would be better if they didn’t already have L’Eau d’Issey…it is as though they literally cannot be bothered to name the fragrances.

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  2. Farah says:
    5 June 2009 at 10:50 am

    A bit of a mouthful though. We’ll all be calling it ASBIM, which is much less refined!

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    • Haunani says:
      5 June 2009 at 10:54 am

      That is SO true, Farah. ASBIM indeed!

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 10:57 am

      ASBIM — works for me!

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  3. krokodilgena says:
    5 June 2009 at 10:52 am

    this sounds interesting

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 10:57 am

      Yep.

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  4. 2scents says:
    5 June 2009 at 10:52 am

    “A scent by Issey Miyake”
    “Which scent by Issey Miyake?”
    “A SCENT by Issey Miyake.”
    ?

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    • Daisy says:
      5 June 2009 at 10:56 am

      LOL exactly!

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      • miss kitty v. says:
        5 June 2009 at 11:15 am

        Ditto–LOL!!

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    • AnnS says:
      5 June 2009 at 11:19 am

      Who’s on first?……

      I can only imagine the confusion with poorly trained or new SA’s …. What a marketing, internet and customer service nightmare.

      But I do think it sounds lovely so I will be in search of a new fragrance from Issey Miyake………I LOVE galbanum.. verbena ..jasmine…sounds lovely…..Maybe this would be a nice alternative to a cologne in summer!

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  5. Haunani says:
    5 June 2009 at 10:53 am

    Woodsy-floral-green-citrus sounds good to me, and I like the idea behind this one! Whether I like it or not will depend on the amount of verbena, which isn’t my favorite smell. Still, sounds like a must-try!

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 10:57 am

      I should note that the original source said:

      “Blätter: französisches Eisenkraut ( Tigergras )”

      And I’ve translated that as French verbena, which is not the same as tiger grass so I don’t know what they mean. I’ll update if I find the notes listed in English anywhere.

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      • Joe says:
        5 June 2009 at 1:53 pm

        Eisenkraut (aka Ironweed, Ironwort) is Verbena officianalis. Not sure how that relates to traditional verbena.

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbena_officinalis

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        • Robin says:
          5 June 2009 at 8:01 pm

          But what is tiger grass?

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          • Joe says:
            5 June 2009 at 8:46 pm

            Oh, sorry, now I understand. I think that was a mistake in the original German, in which Tiger Gras would refer to Centella asiatica:
            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centella_asiatica

            I doubt that’s in perfumery, but who knows. I’d go with the verbena officinalus.

          • Haunani says:
            5 June 2009 at 8:59 pm

            “Tiger grass” sounds much more appealing than “ironwort”!

          • Robin says:
            5 June 2009 at 9:36 pm

            Thanks Joe!

      • www.mybeautyblog.de says:
        6 June 2009 at 8:56 am

        Agree, that is verbena, used in teas and scents.

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        • www.mybeautyblog.de says:
          6 June 2009 at 8:58 am

          Well, “Tigergrass” is an anti-ageing ingredient in organic cosmetic. I wonder if they use it in perfume though!
          But we know they mix&match names and invent new stuff;-)

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    • Daisy says:
      5 June 2009 at 11:00 am

      they had me at woodsy…..and I think the name (despite the googlistic problem it presents) is a cute nod to the “poetry of minimalism” theme.
      It gave me a small chuckle…of course that could be the Dove Dark Chocolate kicking in. (what Harajuku Lovers Snow Bunnies bottles? huh?)

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      • AnnS says:
        5 June 2009 at 11:20 am

        Hey a gal after my own heart – I love breakfast chocolate!

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        • Daisy says:
          5 June 2009 at 11:28 am

          …breakfast of champions!

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          • aimiliona says:
            5 June 2009 at 2:17 pm

            Breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper of champions.

          • Daisy says:
            5 June 2009 at 4:00 pm

            and snack, don’t forget snack…

  6. boojum says:
    5 June 2009 at 10:55 am

    Sounds nice to me! Concept, name, notes, and I always really liked L’EDI, though I never bought any.

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 11:18 am

      Sounds nice to me too.

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  7. miss kitty v. says:
    5 June 2009 at 11:16 am

    I have to say “poetry of minimalism” scares me. But then, one of my criteria for fragrance is big sillage, so maybe I’m not their target market. 🙂

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 11:18 am

      Big sillage is not usually what you think of when you think of Issey Miyake!

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    • Daisy says:
      5 June 2009 at 11:19 am

      Big sillage? then I’m surprised I didn’t see an email from you about Byredo Pulp….other than Fracas it’s about the biggest sillage monster I can think of! LOL everyone in town will know when I’ve gotten that bottle!

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      • miss kitty v. says:
        5 June 2009 at 12:30 pm

        I haven’t tried that one! Should I? I love anything that carries, and could really use something that lasts, especially during the summer. (I am about ready to go against the grain and wear something big and overbearing, like Opium, just to get more than a few hours wear. I swear everything evaporates on me when the weather gets about 80 degrees!)

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        • Daisy says:
          5 June 2009 at 12:41 pm

          MissyK you so need to try Pulp! the first time I tried it, I dribbled it down my wrist….it was so STRONG…made me a little swimmy headed! Next try = one drop ! lasted for hours. 3rd try–2 drops lasted all evening and I could still smell it the next morning. Yeah, it’s got sillage AND lasting power.
          I think of it as fragrance with enthusiasm.

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          • miss kitty v. says:
            5 June 2009 at 1:02 pm

            I have added that to my list. 🙂 I’ve been trying so hard to be good and not buy anything new, even samples. Sigh… Well, this is why it’s called an addiction…

    • boojum says:
      5 June 2009 at 12:18 pm

      Nearly everything has big sillage on me. Then again, maybe I just have a hypersensitive nose, and no one else can smell me at all. *Ponders*

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      • Daisy says:
        5 June 2009 at 12:42 pm

        Boo–you’ll want to use a single drop at a time…one tiny spritz. I predict your 5ml decant will last quite a long time!

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    • Sunnyfunny says:
      5 June 2009 at 12:56 pm

      Poetry of minimalism sounds like something I ought to be wearing to work!

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  8. Sagebrush says:
    5 June 2009 at 11:22 am

    I hope there’s hinoki in it, I love that stuff.

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    • mjr17 says:
      5 June 2009 at 11:37 am

      me too! i think it sounds good. and count me among those who thinks the title is cute, even if it lacks imagination…let’s hope the fragrance shows an abundance of it.

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 1:36 pm

      That would be perfect…

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  9. mals86 says:
    5 June 2009 at 12:10 pm

    Can’t wait until someone releases a “woodsy-floral-green-citrus-fresh-oriental-chypre-fougere” scent. They’ll call it “Kitchen Sink.”

    No, seriously, it does sound nice. Very Japanese-art, tea-ceremony-precise sort of concept. Although I’m not sure that’s really my style. (I am wearing my No. 5 extrait today and I smell MAH-vehlous. Funny how the lower concentrations don’t smell like this genius stuff smells.)

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    • Daisy says:
      5 June 2009 at 12:45 pm

      LOL gah! Kitchen Sink. that is killing me!

      So now you’ve done it—I now am forced to go troll around ebay looking for Chanel no5 extrait or parfum? sigh….better check my paypal account for funds…

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      • www.mybeautyblog.de says:
        6 June 2009 at 9:07 am

        Hmmm… I would steal some No.5 perfume from my mom if I get your Pulp (how could you?! big fruity with fig and peach ist ME! no chance to get in germany it seems…)

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    • Daisy says:
      5 June 2009 at 4:03 pm

      and here is my tricky brain at work again….everytime I see the word fougere, my brain says “fromage” ….no fromage fragrances needed, thanks very much.

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    • Ojeda says:
      5 June 2009 at 4:54 pm

      –They’ll call it “Kitchen Sink.”

      I LOL’d in real life.

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  10. EileenS says:
    5 June 2009 at 12:40 pm

    The notes sound great, but I want to know how “minimalist” this tribute to the “poetry of minimalism” will be. Guess I’ll have to try it when in comes out!

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    • Daisy says:
      5 June 2009 at 12:43 pm

      I always think of JCE when they start talking minimalism in perfume.

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      • RossM says:
        6 June 2009 at 9:50 am

        Same here Daisy, I always think JCE when I hear the word minimalism about perfume but my problem with JCE scents so far (and keep in mind that I’ve haven’t sampled nearly enough to probably judge) is that they are so minimalist that they almost seem non-existent! Was it him that did FM’s L’eau d’hiver? Cause that one I could barely smell at all – I remember something vaguely like heliotrope then something fuzzy then nothing – all in the space of 1 minute. Is it just me or do these minimalist scents seem like a bit of a rip off to you too?

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        • Daisy says:
          6 June 2009 at 12:56 pm

          I don’t know. I like some minimalist types and some really complex things too—I’m incredibly inconsistent about what I like. But I have to agree about L’eau d’hiver….it was nice ….for 15 minutes tops….then just gone…rats! TDC does that on me too…very short term committment fragrances. For the money, I’d prefer something that’s going to hang around awhile!

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          • RossM says:
            6 June 2009 at 6:30 pm

            I hear ya! (oh and what’s TDC?)

          • Daisy says:
            6 June 2009 at 6:44 pm

            Sorry, The Different Company….almost every one smells very nice, several I’d buy except they fade soooooooooo…couple more..oooo
            quickly. At least 3 of them are available in a 250ml flacon…and you’d need all 250ml , trust me.

    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 1:38 pm

      Minimalist is usually fine with me. We’ll see!

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  11. shoppingdiva says:
    5 June 2009 at 12:46 pm

    I’m going to ignore the name and focus on the fact that it has verbena and galbanum. Fresh used to make Galbanum Patchouli and it was one of the nicest patchouli scents I’ve ever smelled. Fingers crossed. With a little luck, maybe ASBIM will have a longer lasting scent too.

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 1:37 pm

      Fresh used to make all these scents that got discontinued before I ever heard of them! Galbanum Patchouli sounds compelling, even though I don’t love patch.

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      • Tama says:
        5 June 2009 at 4:11 pm

        I have some splashes made by Fresh before they were even Fresh! Formula f21c – I have Cyclamen and Linden. Great for summer.

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        • Robin says:
          5 June 2009 at 4:25 pm

          I think there was a tea one too, that everybody loved once upon a time…

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  12. Joe says:
    5 June 2009 at 1:40 pm

    I like the idea of mountains in Japan and Bugey does some good work. However, I have a bias against IM since a good friend has been wearing IM for Men f-o-r-e-v-e-r and I’m sick of it.

    Also, however, what’s French verbena doing on a Japanese mountain? I want Hinoki and Shiso. NEXT!

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 4:27 pm

      Now now, we musn’t be so literal 😉

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  13. Tama says:
    5 June 2009 at 2:44 pm

    I am leery of Miyake just because what I have smelled is so…. watery, so far. This sounds nice, though, and I’ll give it a sniff if I think of it.

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 4:26 pm

      It’s true, most of it is. Except Feu d’Issey, which is gone.

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      • Joe says:
        5 June 2009 at 4:51 pm

        What’s this thing they have on their website called Le Feu d’Issey Light? Any “spiritual” relation to the original? I almost bought a mini or sample of Feu yesterday and then thought, “why bother if it’s dc’d?”

        I must add that the Miyake websites, while beautiful works of art, are annoying as heck to navigate!

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        • Robin says:
          5 June 2009 at 8:02 pm

          I’ve never tried it, but am told that no, no spiritual relationship.

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  14. LaMaroc says:
    5 June 2009 at 2:59 pm

    *raises fist in protest* Bring back Le Feu d’Issey! Now there’s an Issey scent that’s not watery and even has some sillage (on me). I’m thinking maybe that’s why they discontinued it?

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    • LaMaroc says:
      5 June 2009 at 3:02 pm

      I don’t know what it is, but fragrance is the only subject where my stance is more traditionalist.

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 4:26 pm

      Oh, I do wish they would. Little chance of it, though.

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  15. happilykim says:
    5 June 2009 at 4:16 pm

    This sounds like one to try. I like minimal sometimes.

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 4:26 pm

      Me too!

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  16. Ojeda says:
    5 June 2009 at 5:00 pm

    I keep trying these watery fragrances because the concept always gets me, with all the references to light or storms or heaven or freakin’ spaceships (haha, Eau Radieuse is now in town…) but so far nothing has really ‘done it’ for me, my preference usually going to deeper scents. BUT I WILL KEEP TRYING. This one sounds pretty good, hope it’s not as, uh, air freshener-y as the others.

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 8:01 pm

      Agree, hope it is not *too* fresh.

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  17. Lars Lapsus says:
    5 June 2009 at 5:00 pm

    Sounds good (but as we all know that doesn’t mean anything), looks very good, but all in all a bit clishé, intit?
    I actually can’t stand IM scents on myself, but on others I sometimes really like L’Eau.

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 8:00 pm

      He did L’Feu, so he has my good wishes 🙂

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  18. Wyrmiax says:
    5 June 2009 at 7:48 pm

    a scent by issey miyake=a name that’s annoyingly pretentious. And didn’t we all give up that e.e. cummings no-caps thing after high school?

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    • Robin says:
      5 June 2009 at 8:00 pm

      I don’t like the name either, but still, the juice sounds good to me.

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    • Tama says:
      5 June 2009 at 8:08 pm

      Shockingly enough the no-caps thing is alive and well, because there will always be people in high school to keep it going.

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  19. thenoseknows says:
    5 June 2009 at 11:10 pm

    SO SO SO SO HAPPY for a NEW Scent from Issey Miyake rather then endless reiterations of L’Eau de Issey As Flankers! URGH! This does sound fantastically inviting and I ADORE the name, so fun and cheeky! 🙂 this is something my nose will be on alert for when it hits the shores here. ANTICIPATING IT!

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    • Robin says:
      6 June 2009 at 10:09 am

      I’m very interested in this one too!

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  20. alltheprettythings says:
    6 June 2009 at 10:25 am

    Super excited about this one… I’ve worn the original for years (in EDT or parfum) and faithfully gotten most of the flankers (big disappointments!). I love Issey’s concepts and minimalist designs. I’ll be hovering over their US launch date!

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    • Robin says:
      6 June 2009 at 1:32 pm

      I love the designs too…they do wonderful flanker bottles, even if the juice is a disappointment!

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  21. SmokeyToes says:
    6 June 2009 at 2:18 pm

    hmmm, is that like “artist formerly known as…”?

    All kidding aside, I love his fashion designs and use of textiles, but his scents don’t catch my fancy.

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    • Robin says:
      7 June 2009 at 12:33 pm

      You know, I just realized that he’s really only done 2 scents: L’Eau & Le Feu…all the rest are flankers, unless I”m forgetting something.

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  22. Jaapster says:
    6 June 2009 at 3:25 pm

    Weirdly enough I think of CK one when I look at the advert, probably the exams playing with my head 😛
    I am loving the name. Will be the cause of many confusion. Sound like a nice summer fragrance.

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    • Joe says:
      6 June 2009 at 11:38 pm

      I think the Bodoni typeface is the connection with CKOne, actually. It think it reminds me of many relatively recent book jacket designs.

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    • Robin says:
      7 June 2009 at 12:34 pm

      Hey, good luck with your exams!

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  23. alltheprettythings says:
    7 June 2009 at 12:03 am

    I agree with the type face… also the bottle shape *is* similar, but as was discussed, designers only have so many options before they resemble other bottles (i.e. CK Secret Obsession and the new Guerlain). I do love the bottle on the original L’Eau D’Issey – very minimal, but tranquil.

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    • Robin says:
      7 June 2009 at 12:34 pm

      That was a great bottle, & so was the bottle for Le Feu.

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  24. Fleur says:
    7 June 2009 at 2:33 pm

    Maybe they’re trying to make a punny name, a play on “assent” or “ascent?” Just a thought. It sounds very nice, one I’ll have to try.

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    • Robin says:
      8 June 2009 at 8:11 am

      Could be!

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  25. Racine says:
    26 June 2009 at 2:29 pm

    I have just tried and felt in love with it! It´s like a updated version of Cristalle which I love too.
    About the name I guess it has something to do with his like of minimalism but agree it would be better if He hasn´t already a fragance called L´eau

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    • Robin says:
      26 June 2009 at 5:50 pm

      Oh good, can’t wait to try it!

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  26. teekayy says:
    5 August 2009 at 2:12 am

    I just want to know when it comes out!!

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    • Robin says:
      5 August 2009 at 10:53 am

      This month. Some stores already have it.

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  27. Na says:
    20 August 2009 at 5:52 pm

    I went to Saks today to try this one.
    It’s a little more feminine than what the bottle suggests, but I can definitely picure a mountain in Japan.
    Very light and watery-

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    • Robin says:
      20 August 2009 at 9:49 pm

      Oh good, can’t wait to try it.

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