Our take
What does Alaïa smell like?
The house of Alaïa released its first perfume in 2015, sold as Alaïa Paris. Marie Salamagne built it around an unusual idea: a dry mineral accord, like chalk, that keeps the flowers from going sweet. Pink pepper opens with a small prick. Then comes the feel of cool stone. Peony and freesia make up the heart. They never form a bouquet and stay veiled, as if seen through tracing paper. The base is a soft musk lifted by a faint animalic note that warms the skin. Nothing dirty about it. The drydown turns velvety and faintly woody after a couple of hours. Compared with Narciso Rodriguez For Her, another perfume built on musk, Alaïa is less sweet and airier. It comes close to the smell of clean skin after a day in the sun.
When to wear it
A skin scent to keep close. Spray the nape and wrists, then give it an hour before you judge.
It belongs to the Floral, Woody, Musky family. Alaïa is one of 1 creations by Alaïa in our encyclopedia.