Today’s two creations Flower Boy and Fantasma Overglow by IGGYWOO not only both begin with F, they also have a common ingredient that has been interpreted very differently in each case. Oud is a central component of the compositions, which is sometimes opulent and floral and sometimes citrusy and spicy. The day before yesterday, we looked at two of the label’s eaux de parfum, Cashmere Show Pony and Bohemian Water, and I also published a two-part interview with perfumer and founder Richard Saint-Ford last week.
And, of course, I will also link you to my latest articles about IGGYWOO. The creative perfume house with roots in London and Los Angeles, which reveals its flair for narrative concepts and unusual fragrance ideas with every new creation. Below you will not only find the aforementioned two-part interview with founder and perfumer Richard Saint-Ford, in which he also makes reference to Flower Boy and Fantasma Overglow. But also my review of Cashmere Show Pony and Bohemian Water. Two fragrances that clearly show how consistently IGGYWOO translates aesthetic concepts into wearable form.
- A conversation with IGGYWOO founder Richard Saint-Ford – fragrance art beyond all conventions
- IGGYWOO – Between fantasy, memory and rebellion – Interview Part II
- Cashmere Show Pony and Bohemian Water by IGGYWOO – Olfactory daydreams
Flower Boy – IGGYWOO
In South Korea in the 1990s, a youth culture emerged that became known as the Flower Boys. Inspired by J-pop idols, manga aesthetics and local TV dramas, these young men propagated an androgynous ideal: slim silhouettes, porcelain skin, carefully styled hair and often pastel-colored fashion. Instead of traditional macho signals, they relied on cultivated gentleness, which challenged the prevailing notions of masculinity at the time and at the same time shaped the emerging K-pop. Boybands such as H.O.T. and Sechs Kies brought the look into every classroom through the media; beauty and fashion labels quickly recognized the market potential of this target group, which saw grooming routines as a lifestyle. The Flower Boys thus became cultural pioneers of a softer, aesthetically conscious masculinity that still defines the image of Korean pop culture today. IGGYWOO translates this with the help of the fragrance notes bergamot, neroli, red currant, black currant, peony, rose, jasmine, osmanthus, ylang-ylang, tuberose, frangipani, heliotrope, white musk and eaglewood (oud).
When I think of Asian-inspired fragrances, I usually think of minimalist, light and rather restrained compositions. Flower Boy breaks with exactly this image and presents a completely different, unexpected olfactory direction. From the very first spray, the eau de parfum is powerful, intense, expressive and opulent. Lush berry notes meet sumptuous flowers, creamy facets and a smoky, woody depth brought into play by oud. The composition is dense and complex, a far cry from the pastel lightness associated with South Korean flower boys.
This fragrance is loud, present and uncompromising. A real high performer that is immediately there. Not a soft knock, but an olfactory statement. The longevity is excellent, which should almost go without saying with this intensity. Anyone who loves opulent creations that play with ripe berries, floral notes and a striking oud accent should definitely put Flower Boy by IGGYWOO on their must-try list. It is not a fragrance for everyday wear or the office, but the perfect choice for special occasions or a grand entrance in the evening.
Fantasma Overglow – Light and shadow
Fantasma Overglow is all about light and shadow and this is also reflected in the name of the creation. Fantasma is the Italian word for illusion, ghost or phantom. A word like a fleeting shadow, poetic, enraptured, almost disembodied. Something that exists and at the same time is intangible. In contrast to this is Overglow. A visual phenomenon in which light spreads beyond its actual boundaries. The result is a diffuse glow, a radiance that outshines, glows and blurs contours. In photography, an overglow appears almost supernatural, like an aura or a veil of light that lies between reality and illusion. Fantasma Overglow aims to capture precisely this contrast, using the ingredients bergamot, grapefruit, bitter orange, angelica (angelica root), pink pepper, incense, cedarwood, galbanum, eaglewood (oud), amber and musk.
Citrusy, fresh and green, Fantasma Overglow is a bright, radiant, vibrant fragrance that is summery and full of energy. Cool and sparkling, with a subtle peppery spiciness and a hint of incense that gently grounds everything. Galbanum provides green accents, while cedarwood brings light, clean woody nuances to the composition, which are powdery, molecular and lucid. Fantasma Overglow is light and transparent, for me more light than shadow. The structure of this composition remains intact as the fragrance progresses, before gradually fading away.
In direct contrast to our first perfume hit Flower Boy, which trumps with volume, presence and intensity, Fantasma Overglow is restrained, airy and subtle. It is a delicate, light and airy fragrance that combines hesperides, woods and green notes without any sweetness. Perfect for anyone looking for an uncomplicated, summery spray-on freshness boost with a light to medium presence and good longevity. This eau de parfum from IGGYWOO is absolutely suitable for everyday wear and the office.
Be First to Comment