Continuing my journey through combining my two obsessions - perfume and The Libertines. In this edition, fragrances directly linked to the band in various ways.
London by Burberry - Notes of Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Musk and Sandalwood. Released in 2006. This is for lovers - of London. The imagery around this chic and clean little affair has always been a romantic postcard to the city that birthed it, and the iconic checked Burberry fabric wrapped around the bottle itself speaks to the rebirth of that heritage trend made edgy and new - most beautifully showcased in the infamous prison gates photos in 2003, where Peter and Carl each wore a matching Burberry trench and passed a Burberry scarf between them. Fake, probably, but that iconography was the absolute height of indie rock fashion.
Bluebell by Penhaligon's - Notes of Lily-of-the-Valley, Cyclamen, Cloves and Cinnamon. Released in 1978. Widely reported as a favourite perfume of Kate Moss during the time she and Peter were dating. I may not be much of a fan of hers, but who didn't want to know what Pete Doherty's girlfriend smelled like? Earthy, with its crushed flowers and herbs, a tad exclusive, with it's fancy lineage and posh price, but genuinely vintage - this was the exact sort of scent an indie girl in the 2000s picked if she wanted to stand out from the crowd.
Opium Pour Homme by Yves Saint Laurent - Notes of Black Currant, Star Anise, Bourbon Vanilla and Cedar. Released in 1995. Named by Peter as his favourite fragrance in the 2000s. I've never known if he was kidding, given the name - but this is a scent that absolutely suits him, and is my favourite for men of all time. Opening with bright, juicy berries, drying down into sweet vanilla and rich spice, it's an addictive potion that suits its moniker and defies the astringent, bathroom cleaner trend in men's fragrance with a high fashion dazzle that takes some courage to wear.
Bottega Veneta by Bottega Veneta - Notes of Bergamot, Jasmine, Leather and Patchouli. Released in 2011. This is a personal entry, as it's the one perfume that has gotten me a compliment from a Libertine. I am an aggressive over-sprayer, but only this one has elicited a comment, from Carl, after he embraced me following the Sharabang gig in 2018. "You smell amazing!" he said, to which I replied, "I think it's the leather", meaning the leather notes in the fragrance. "Leather?" he replied, completely confused. I didn't get a chance to elaborate, but this is indeed a leather bomb - loud like a brand new jacket, or better yet luxurious heels straight out of their box, with the crisp deliciousness of bergamot making it syrupy and lending a mouth-watering air. Tragically discontinued.
Comme des Garcons 2 Man by Comme des Garcons - Notes of Smoke, Betiver, Saffron, Leather and Incense. Released in 2004. One of the fragrances Carl mentioned wearing in the 2000s. A churchy, waxy, smoky scent that brings to mind a snuffed candle and is very evocative of the year it was released. Makes absolute sense that it's one he'd enjoy, leaning both into an esoteric side with it's midnight potions of nutmeg and mint, and a rock 'n' roll core with it's leather and incense - reminiscent of the intoxicating mix of sweat, tobacco and leather you'll find sticking to a musician fresh off a stage.
Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens - Notes of Resin, Amber, Myrrh, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Vanilla and Myrtle. Released in 1993. Opulent, gothic and very warm, this unisex fragrance is another Carl listed as a favourite back in the day. If 2 Man is churchy, this one is culty. Again, it suits him - it's like festival hippy oil taken to it's most concentrated conclusion. I don't know if he still wears either of these - he smelled great in Melbourne in 2018, but when I asked what he had on, he joked, "Lynx Africa!" then denied he was wearing anything. Likewise, Peter arrived at the Hackney gig in 2019 smelling deliciously of something very like Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille, but when I asked him what he had on, he just said, "I smell like a polecat".
