Byredo has launched Mister Marvelous, a new fragrance inspired by hair stylist Christiaan Houtenbos:
With the launch of Mister Marvelous, Byredo's founder, Ben Gorham, has chosen to highlight a male figure who currently embodies his idea of this fragrance. The first ever Mister Marvelous features world renowned hair stylist Christiaan Houtenbos.
Marvelous is a grand word, is it not? As it rolls off the tongue, it feels quite like it means. And it has history; France’s post- revolutionary dandies called their equally exquisite ladies Les Marveileuses [sic]. Marvelous means wonderful, exquisite, and as- tonishing. With a bit of strangeness as well – as indicated by the old Latin mirabilis. A marvelous thing must be strange in that it must be like nothing else.
The notes feature mandarin leaves, neroli, green lavender, bamboo, black amber and cedarwood.
Byredo Mister Marvelous is available in 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum.
I know nothing about this celebrity muse, but when I hear “Marvelous” and hair stylist, I do not think cutting edge fragrance for men.
I think of the Lady’s room at an old job, at 9:00 a.m. where the “big hair” traditional ladies, all gathered to spray their hair in place for the day. It was not a pleasant smell (or even a tolerable one- I’d go up a flight of stairs to another bathroom rather than inhale the hair spray).
Still, I am fond of this brand.
Interesting.
“Byredo’s founder, Ben Gorham, has chosen to highlight a male figure who currently embodies his idea of this fragrance.”
The way that is written, it gives the impression that the person can change at the whim of the creator. Today, “Mr. Marvelous” is Christiaan, but in 6 months, the creator could declare “Mr. Marvelous” to be his new muse/obsession to be Brad Pitt. Perhaps 2 years later, it can change to Justin Bieber. Maybe I’m a stickler for grammar, but that line would probably upset me if I were the face of the fragrance since it definitely gives the impression that the position is not permanent if the creator doesn’t wish it to be.
I am under that impression too…that the fragrance (& the inspiration) will change.
Which is a smart move, if you ask me. Tastes and styles change, and advertising and formulations will follow that change. What sells now, and the “appropriate face” to market it with is probably not going to be what’s selling in five years.
Funny, I just got a really circular line of thought: Gorham decided to create a fragrance that would embody the person who inspired the fragrance. Huh?
Or something like that!
Agreed!
Sorry, got the comment in the wrong place – didn’t mean to agree with myself!
Out of curiousness , I found the following on “Model.Com”
Christiaan Houtenbos, top hairstylist has worked with everyone from Grace Jones to clients like Calvin Klein since the 80’s. Credited with inventing the “undercut”. Married to Marianne Houtenbos, longtime Arthur Elgort studio director.
Country of origin: Netherlands
Of course Serge Lutens started as a hairdresser too.
I had forgotten that!
Oh, this is interesting. I like some of Byredo’s fragrances and I like the flacons. This could be a very beautiful scent. The notes sounds so good 🙂
I am falling behind on my Byredo sampling…but this one does sound worth trying.
Hmm, I’ll take fanciful etymological digressions in my perfume ad copy instead of overheated bodice-ripper vignettes and lists of wildly implausible notes any day.
Hear, hear!
Yes, me too.
This part really sounded charming,
‘Marvelous is a grand word, is it not? As it rolls off the tongue, it feels quite like it means. And it has history; ‘
Especially the ‘it feels quite like it means’
sounds like the kindly victorian narrator of a children’s story.
Unfortunately it immediately loses the balance after that and just goes didactic and clumsy.
God, yes — I was immediately reminded of the genteel children’s books my mom used to ply me with. But the rest seemed like a clunky Swedish (??)-to-English translation.
I like the name– it makes the scent sound fun and almost frivolous, in a good way.
I like scents that do not take themselves too seriously, and the notes sound great!
In a weird way I like the name too. My friend has a cat named Mister Fabulous so Mister Marvelous gave me a good chuckle. This might be hard to find where I am but the notes sound good to me so it might be worth seeking out.
Your friend’s is probably a reference to Eliot’s ‘cats’ though while this sounds a bit like a comic-book hero.
I realize I’m dating myself but all I can think of is Billy Crystal doing his Fernando Lamas character on SNL and telling people that they look “mah-velous” OTOH, Mr. Houtenbos looks like he’d remember. 🙂
That’s what I thought of too! And the first paragraph of the copy sounds like an idea for an old school SNL sketch.
That being said, the notes sound like something I’d enjoy.
I love this name – let’s just cut to the chase, shall we? Would make a great gift, too. 🙂
I like the name but boy oh boy am I not enthusiastic about another inoffensive, vaguely fruity Byredo fragrance.
Pulp is all I’v tried and that was offensively fruity. In the full Aaaakh! sense.
Been meaning to try a Byredo Scent… but just haven’t gotten around to it and i don’t think any store near me carries the line as well… this does sound Marvellous and i would love to try this! Maybe Saks will get this soon since we just NOW got By Killian and STILL don’t have the TF Private Blends… DEVIL! 😉