DSquared2 Potion for Man (2011) {New Fragrance} {Men's Cologne}

DSquared2 are going for a new twist for their fragrance portfolio and an ancient obsession with their latest release called Potion for Man. The term "potion" refers to the esoteric art of the love potion, although the design label prefers to use it explicitly in reference to the art of seduction dubbing their new perfume for men, "the scent of seduction." This is of course nothing earth-shatteringly new. In fact, it looks all trite, all by itself. But the fact that the word "potion" was chosen to sell the fragrance and is stamped on the bottle, shows something like a major focus and a confidence in their main idea....

The bottle code also changes, leaving the shores of urban and sleek, which usually characterizes the brand's perfume bottles, to make a return to a retro, masculine and slightly medicine-cabinet look. There is a perfume oil too. It calls our attention to that other atmoshere evoked by the word "potion", the place where it is brewed and bottled.

The fragrance was composed by perfumer Annick Menardo of Firmenich who also did Lolita Lempicka, Bulgari Black and YSL Body Kouros, among other things. Potion for Man is given as an aromatic-woody-ambery scent.

The list of ingredients and perfume notes plays into the mystique of the elixir of love by offering an unconventional format, that of the cooking or magical witches' brew recipe,

"2 freshly picked red mint leaves, 2 pinches of Angelica, 1 twig of thyme, 6 freshly picked rose petals, 4 black peppercorns, 2 tear drops of Gentian, 1 1/2 cinnamon sticks, 1 handful of blended Cashmere Wood, 2 splashes of Patchouli, 1/2 cup of Amber, and 10ml of Musk."

The 50 ml and 100 ml Eau de Parfum are priced at £42.50 and £57 respectively, or as Harvey Nichols, which have the exclusive this month, put it £8.50 per 10 ml.

Via Harvey Nichols; The Moodie Report; Finer Cut