Everyone knows that Comme des Garçons does things its own sweet way. And today’s London launch of its latest fragrance, 888, was sugared with a visual feast representing the essence of the scent’s smell, cooked up by legendary art director Michael Howells, in the basement of Soho record store, Phonica Records. But perhaps more excitingly for committed collectors of Comme – the icing is a temporary ‘preview’ perfume store in the salubrious surrounds of Burlington Arcade.
The cosy, two-tiered store will remain open just eight days from today. The new scent, 888, is available on the ground floor and a selection of past, highly collectible, limited edition scents and vintage t-shirts – each designed to celebrate the launch of a Comme fragrance - fill the tiny basement.
These offerings include, among others, Pearly Monster, Over the Moon and White, in a bottle accessorised with crocheted cosy and angel wings - all limited edition scents from the last five years. These and the t-shirts, are being sold for just £20 apiece.
The main attraction, however, is the new eau de parfum, 888 – previewed here and selling for £48/50ml. When the store closes, it will be no longer available until its official launch in March.
The bottle, a shiny gold nugget in the familiar form that characterises the majority of Comme fragrances, is a visual representation of the contents: the juice is an olfactory interpretation of gold, executed by the nose Antoine Lie, in collaboration with Comme des Garçon’s Parfums Creative Director, Christian Astuguevieille.
Containing a molecule derived from saffron, pepperwood, coriander and geranium, the fragrance is as original, and as seductive as we have come to expect from the creative behemoths at Comme.
INFORMATION
- Address
- 888 Preview Store
5 Burlington Arcade
London W1
