Italian niche brand Masque Milano has launched two new fragrances, Times Square and Mandala.
Times Square ~ developed by perfumer Bruno Jovanovic. "New York stinks. It stinks of cheap harsh tobacco and dense exhaust gas. The traffic jam seems endless.And stinks of hot rubber and stale steam. People are weird. The fashionista lady with the glowing-green stilettos orders a huge pretzel. And stinks of lurid street-food of any sort. Cinnamon and fries. Mustard and caramel. The cherry of the whore's bloody-red lipstick melts with the strawberry of her chewing-gum. The side alleys are just garbage and urine. But find your way through the crowd of bachelorettes waiting for the male-strip show, and it will be a flood of tuberose and carnation. I feel like having a walk tonight. Go get my crab cakes and a burger. And breathe the city miasmas while reaching the place. Oh I love this city. How do I love it." With hazelnut accord, glossy lipstick accord, osmanthus, tuberose, sandalwood, gaiacwood and styrax.
Mandala ~ developed by perfumer Christian Carbonnel. "Light, rarefied air. Utter silence. Cows lazily lying on the grass stare at you, while you start spinning the prayer wheels. From the monastery comes the monks’ overtone singing - two notes chanting in perfect, peaceful harmony. A myrrh and incense fragrance - light and delicate. A contemplative atmosphere. Vibrating at two levels at the same time." With frankincense, nutmeg, angelica, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cistus, cedar, incense, myrrh, sandalwood, oakmoss and natural ambergris.
Masque Milano Times Square and Mandala can be found now at Luckyscent, $165 each for 35 ml Eau de Parfum.
I think Bruno Jovanovic is referring to the 1970s and 1980s Time Square. Nowadays, its New York’s version of Disneyland.
Right? I live in NYC and I’m telling you, Times Square is not this description. It’s full of tourists (no judgements) with fanny packs (some judgements). So I’m not sure if they’re describing Times Square from another era or they’re just really out of touch with the city and using cliches. There aren’t really any alleys!
Lol. True. And the line is good so all is forgiven.
I blame Guiliani! Never been to NYC but I keep hearing a lot of how he killed off night life and so on.
I have samples of both since April. I recently got around Times Square to review it. It’s one funny scent.
Lucas, what did you think of Mandala, if you don’t mind?
I think Masque is an interesting brand. And imo Romanza and l’Attessa (probably spelled it wrong..sorry) were among the better releases of last year.
Times Square and Mandala both sound interesting, but Mandala is probably more to my liking.
Times Square sounds horrendous, Mandala probably more my style, perhaps too quiet, which won’t work with only 35mls (can’t really spritz with wild abandon.) Will give them a sniff if I run across a tester.