Outrageous! by Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle

*****
Year: 2007

Notes: grapefruit, lime, green apple, mint, cinnamon, neroli, orange blossom, white rose, amber, Texan cedar, clean laundry accord, musks
Composed by Sophia Grojsman, and sold exclusively at Barneys and Barneys Co-op stores, Outrageous! is a shameless mass market fragrance. In contrast to Frédéric Malle's prestigious niche reputation, many were left confounded when it was initially released. But, with slightly different packaging and a lower price, one suspects that the whole affair was some twisted tongue-in-cheek experiment.

Opening with a harsh and metallic resemblance to a caipirinha accord (courtesy of some grapefruit, lime, mint and cinnamon), the green apple exacerbates the composition's already screechy and artificial manner. With a light white floral core, the base is just as contemptible as the top notes – comprised of white musks, synthetic woods and a clean laundry accord (or a cocktail of aldehydes and amyl salicylate). As a result, it smells more like designer sport dreck than anything resembling high-quality niche.

In summary, it's an ozonic woody-musk concoction, with fruity undertones, which smells musty, uninspired and excruciatingly cheap. Providing below average sillage and tenacity, Outrageous! is a real oddball, and serves as both a curio and major misstep for this French niche house.


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