I have to admit that I neglect getting to the local shops to check out new releases as I am probably the furthest from somebody who loves to go shopping…especially at the mall. But we had to head to the local Galleria (the local posh mall) this past weekend. While there, I was really curious to check out the Les Parfums Louis Vuitton collection that was released last year. Not surprisingly, the display at the store was understated and luxurious and the bottles were simple and chic (and graced with some hefty weight). What I loved most was a coffret set of all 7 of the perfumes in 10 ml bottles. It was cute, and again, packaged perfectly. The sales associate was as gracious and accommodating with my many questions and when I asked if I could get samples, stepped away and then returned with a small bag filled with the complete set. In the next couple of days, I went through all of the line and made the following determination…
the collection is nice, but nothing more. I really wanted to love each and every one of these, but all of them seemed to have been conceived in a laboratory with a void of any emotion; they just exist. I know, perfumes are meant to smell pretty…but these just lack any depth. Now, don’t get me wrong, they are pleasant enough, but I was expecting the finest, finished, smooth creations, like the most luxurious Louis Vuitton bag…instead I got a no name brand bag from Macy’s.
It’s hard writing about perfumes that you don’t love…but I will say that my favorite out of the bunch (and that’s not saying much) is Matière Noire, a woody rose combination that opens with a lovely blackcurrent note but which fades to a pleasant, but nondescript sweetened patchouli. From the Louis Vuitton website:
A blend of dark wood and white flowers ventures into a world of mystery. Exploring the universe is the ultimate travel fantasy and most thrilling adventure. Matière Noire plumbs intangible depths with a journey through the darkest, most precious woods, namely patchouli and Laos agarwood. The agarwood’s animal notes are intensified by blackcurrant and contrasted with the whiteness of narcissus and jasmine, a floral vibration that cuts the darkness like a comet. Plumes of sacred notes unfurl on the skin. The disruption is total, almost mystical.
My second choice would be Turbulences, an earthy and big and bold tuberose perfume that gets taken over by a musky jasmine that quickly fades away. From the Louis Vuitton website:
An extreme tuberose to stir the heart. Discovering faraway lands can sometimes feel like soaring among the clouds. Inspired by a feeling akin to love at first sight, the perfume Turbulences pays tribute to the most narcotic of flowers: the tuberose. Here, it fuses with the most precious petals of jasmine. A light touch of leather, and you swoon. Intensely. Deliciously.
Overall, I would give the collection a 3 bone rating. Nothing bad, but nothing great. The perfumes, for a rather hefty price, seem to fade rather quickly. Overall, this was a big disappointment to me as there was so much promise with the launch of this collection.
You can learn about the full collection at the Louis Vuitton website. Each perfume costs $240 for 100 ml eau de parfum. The cute coffret set is $290.
What others are saying about the Les Parfums Louis Vuitton collection: Perfume Posse, Kafkaesque
The Scented Hound 
April 27, 2017 at 6:48 am
Hi Houndie, sorry to read about your disappointment. I saw some comments from others who tried it earlier than you and their opinions were rather un-impressive as well.
That’s such a shame but I keep noticing that so many of those fashion brands make perfume that really lack purpose or complexity and depth. But on the other hand there are brands that do their boutique lines really well.
LikeLike
April 28, 2017 at 5:35 am
This line feels as if they were a bit gun shy with producing anything that was out of the box. Actually, the openings of most of these showed lots of promise, but then they ended up rather quickly in this no-man’s zone of musk or wood. Bummer.
LikeLike
April 27, 2017 at 9:12 am
You saved me from having to sample those scents. Thanks!
LikeLike
April 28, 2017 at 5:36 am
If you ever get your hands on these samples, I hope you prove me wrong by liking them. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
April 30, 2017 at 11:38 am
Hey Steve,
They made us wait an eternity and then gave us celebuscents with amazing ingredients. They are mannequins of scent, gorgeous but ultimately unfulfilling and hollow.
Turbulences was going to be my pick so I could have at least one of the bottles but I wanted it to be even a tiny little bit startling, showbiz and crooked.
You’re right, they’re not bad. They are unworthy though to be a part of the legend that is Louis Vuitton.
You watch, now that I’ve slammed them I am going to start craving a couple and will have to eat my words.
Portia xx
LikeLike
April 30, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Such a way with words my dear….mannequins of scent. So very true. And yes, they didn’t have to be out of this world….just fantastically smooth and delicious and which feel expensive! No such luck. xoxoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 12, 2017 at 3:38 am
Louis Vuitton isn’t one of the stores that I ever visit: their bags, while completely out of my range, are also absolutely not my style. But I went in one of them when I saw the collection. I smelled them all. I wasn’t overly impressed but I thought I might want to try a couple of them on skin. When I asked for a sample, a cheerful SA sprayed those that I liked in blotters and carefully packed them into special envelopes… Rrright… Well, not that I thought I would end up buying or wearing them. But I might have written something. Or not. They are fine. Too expensive for what they are but not awful. If those who buy LV bags will be going around smelling like that, I won’t complain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 14, 2017 at 5:38 pm
So very understated you are my dear. Too bad the sale associate didn’t give you samples to take with you rather than just the blotters! Actually, I think if you got Rusty a LV travel bag for him, I think you would make him very happy 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20, 2017 at 11:20 pm
Nordstroms is sending me 7 samples of the LV bottles and I cant wait to smell them , but you ladies gentlemen , you have to understand that all fragrances smell different on everyone and it depends on your body chemistry as well. everyone HAS TO UNDERSTAND THAT scents differently ON OTHERS , some be not so great others and last longer on others and some not on others .
LikeLike