Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
“Exquisitely elegant” was the first impression that formed in my mind as I smelled Prada Infusion d’Homme. It also struck me right away as a masculine fragrance that eschews the conventions of masculine perfumery: dihydromyrcenol (a citrus-lavender aroma material that is commonly used in masculine scents) is not noticeable, citrus is dealt with a light hand, florals are magnified. Created by talented perfumer Daniela Roche-Andrier, who is a nose behind many of Prada’s fragrances, Infusion d’Homme translates Prada aesthetic at its best—subtle, sophisticated, understated, yet somehow dramatic nonetheless.
The drama of Infusion d’Homme lies in its bold exploration of the floral notes. While iris used in perfumery is not strictly a floral—the material, after all, comes from the iris root and has a distinctive green-earthy profile—its floral violet-like facets are easily amplified. In fact, there are many obvious similarities between Infusion d’Homme and the feminine limited edition Infusion d’Iris. Both fragrances are based on the classical contrast between green galbanum, rooty-floral iris and leathery vetiver. While Infusion d’Iris makes iris a dominant player, Infusion d’Homme uses it as one of the leading characters, along with orange blossom, cedar and incense. The result is an interesting fragrance that oscillates between the earthy chill of iris and the warm smoke of incense.
The soft floral family in the masculine fragrance domain is a new phenomenon, which gained ground with the ingenious Dior Homme, a masculine iris gold standard, as it were. Infusion d’Homme renders its iris even softer, framing it in soft blond woods, as opposed to leather in Dior Homme. Yet, like Dior Homme, Lanvin Arpège Pour Homme, Divine L’Homme de Coeur, Donna Karan DKNY Men, Gianfranco Ferré Ferré for Men, and Hilde Soliani Il Vs Iris, Infusion d’Homme reveals that men and flowers can make for a lethally sexy combination.
Prada Infusion d’Homme includes notes of mandarin, neroli, galbanum, iris, incense, benzoin, cedar and vetiver. It is available from Prada boutiques and select department stores (Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York.)
12 Comments
sweetlife: She likes it! She likes it! 🙂
Haven’t smelled this yet. Must rectify. September 14, 2010 at 10:31pm
Maison Parfum: Well I really like this masculine perfume.. Young people especially single could used this.. September 15, 2010 at 4:29am
logo design: Your site is amazing.I am very impressed to see this,i want to come back for visiting your site.Keep doing Good as well as you can.. September 15, 2010 at 6:12am
Carla: I look forward to trying this and comparing to Dior Homme. Rive Gauche, Andrier’s reformulation, is one of my top ten favorite perfumes, if not top five. I am also curious about her new perfume for Maison Martin Margiela. And, I find it interesting she is married to her company’s CEO. I’m not sure how that would be accepted in most types of larger companies, but the world of perfumery has always been very much “we are family”. (So many perfumers are perfumers’ children or even spouses.) September 15, 2010 at 7:07am
Carla: I look forward to trying this and comparing to Dior Homme. Rive Gauche, Andrier’s reformulation, is one of my top ten favorite perfumes, if not top five. I am also curious about her new perfume for Maison Martin Margiela. And, I find it interesting she is married to her company’s CEO. I’m not sure how that would be accepted in most types of larger companies, but the world of perfumery has always been very much “we are family”. (So many perfumers are perfumers’ children or even spouses.) September 15, 2010 at 7:07am
Boisdejasmin: A, do let me know how you like it. It is one of my top 5 masculine favorites, without doubt. September 21, 2010 at 10:45am
Boisdejasmin: R, glad you agree. Though I think that it would be great for any one, any age group. September 21, 2010 at 10:47am
Boisdejasmin: Logo, thanks! September 21, 2010 at 10:48am
Boisdejasmin: Carla, there is lots of nepotism in the industry, that is without doubt. However, many companies try hard to make sure that it does not affect them. You know, it can be very damaging.
I love Daniela’s fragrances in general, she lends a very beautiful aesthetic to her creations, very elegant. September 21, 2010 at 10:50am
SRK: Prada’s Infusion d’homme is for me the perfect scent. It defies classification (it’s neither typically male; nor is it encroaching on female). This is the scent of a clean beautiful spring shower. Every note is subtle and exquisitely wearable. I’m a woman who wears it proudly as a woman. I’ve received many compliments and queries as to what it is. Perhaps it’s because I’m not usually drawn to most women’s scents on the market, but this reflects to me something decidedly Italian in the perfumer’s taste (less expected and clean and unmistakably subtle though not shy) August 15, 2011 at 2:11pm
Philip: I find it quite marine, like a handful of seaweed yanked from the ocean, salty and sharp. It’s much closer to Voyage or Terre d’Hermes than Infusion d’Iris to my nose. April 8, 2013 at 9:12pm
plasmichoney: I am a woman and the first time i smelled this, i thought, it has a powdery, fresh, and clean scent…which was exactly what i have been looking for in a fragrance! It reminds me a bit of acca kappa and some Philosophy (baby grace) fragrance. I really like this a lot. It could be a unisex fragrance for sure! This is my top fave so far. April 19, 2013 at 1:19am