Perfume Review: Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you smell a perfume? 9 times out of 10 it will be “this scent reminds me of…” That’s because scent and memories are so closely tied together and everyone will have their own interpretation of a particular scent. In fact, evoking the way one feels and thoughts that come to mind after smelling a perfume is the very foundation of this blog. Each perfume reviewed on this blog evokes specific memories linked to my own experience and precise moments in my life. Therefore, I’m offering a very personal perspective on a perfume. You could love a scent because it smells like delicious vanilla and makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Conversely, someone else might find it tied to a negative memory and find it sickening. Isn’t it interesting how scent can trigger very different reactions amongst various individuals?

Despite having different opinions on the way a scent smells and makes you feel, the important part is that it will always make you feel something. That’s the power of scent. And that’s what I love about perfume.

In my never-ending quest of discovering new scents and brands, I stumbled upon the fashion house Maison Margiela. In 2012, it launched Replica perfumes, a collection of scents that encapsulate memories and emotions that transport you to a specific place and time. I absolutely loved the concept and just had to smell all the perfumes in the collection. Each of the scents are very unique and certainly replicate a very specific moment in time. My favourite scent by far is Replica By The Fireplace and evokes just that… a fireplace. It’s a warm, cosy scent that immediately brings me to the snowy mountains. It’s the only scent I want to wear when it’s freezing cold outside!

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Key Notes

Top: Pink pepper, clove, orange blossom

Heart: Chestnut, woody accord

Base: Cashmeran, vanilla

Olfactive Classification: Woody

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What to Expect

Replica By The Fireplace opens with a rush of pink pepper that brings a cooling spiciness, like a crisp winter morning. Very quickly the spicy note interlaces with a sweet chestnut and vanilla accord to create a spicy gourmand. The sweetness of the perfume reminds me of the texture of crème de marron or chestnut cream, one that is rich and velvety. The heart and base of the perfume is a celebration of woods in the most beautiful way and certainly transports you to a fireplace. Sophisticated cashmeran makes a glorious entrance and reinforces the spiciness of pink pepper and clove. It also adds a delicate musky note. It’s like you can feel the heat from the fireplace warming your skin. Gradually, the dark and smoky guaiac wood creeps into the olfactive landscape creating a burnt wood effect. The fire is now crackling. The overall impression is a woody gourmand perfume, perfect to wear at night on a ski holiday.

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My Olfactive Journey

Replica By The Fireplace transports me to a weekend in the mountains, in the scenic Swiss Alps. The journey begins on the train from Montreux, a charming little town on Lake Geneva, where you have a breathtaking view of the lake on a backdrop of snowy mountains. The little train, which by the way has a panoramic view, takes you on a magical path through the mountains all the way to Gstaad. Gstaad is probably one of the most beautiful ski resorts in Switzerland. It’s not so much about the ski itself, as it’s fairly average (and to be honest people don’t really go there to ski!) but more about meeting with friends, eating great food and shopping at luxury boutiques. Personally, I’m all about the ski and can only think about renting a pair for the weekend.

The initial freshness of the perfume brings me to a morning of ski touring on a crisp winter day. It’s a great way to get in some serious exercise but also to explore hidden trails and areas of the mountain otherwise inaccessible by regular skiing. If you can get over the arduous climbing, which is about 90% of the time, you will discover that it’s quite a peaceful and relaxing activity. And also means you totally deserve your rösti for lunch at the top of the mountain!

As Replica by the Fireplace eau de toilette unfolds, it reveals a delicious and addictive sweetness. Like the feeling of drinking a warm hot chocolate. So well deserved!

After having lunch on the pistes, it’s time to go back down (in under 15 minutes may I add versus the 2.5 hours of climbing before) and spend the afternoon in the village. This little mountain village comes straight out of a fairytale. There, you’re surrounded by shops each one more beautiful than the other, with intricate woodwork and luxurious windows. All this noble wood reminds me of the heart of the perfume. Simply magnificent. You will also certainly cross paths with a horse carriage or two.

Truth be told, the reason I’m walking around the village is to get my hands on a Vermicelles Tart. This chesnut cream dessert is delicious and super satisfying, just like the sweet chestnut and vanilla accord of Replica By The Fireplace.

The ending of a perfect day wouldn’t be complete without a fondue. And yes, my day is very much driven by food. This is not just any fondue, though. When you’re in Gstaad you may as well go all out. This fondue is one to remember with champagne and black truffle. Simple tastes, you know.

Finally, after eating your own body weight in cheese, there’s no better way to unwind than spending the rest of the evening in front of a warm, crackling fire. Ahhh that feeling of cosiness and the smoky smell of burning firewood. The perfect way to end a day in the mountains…

 Outfits & Accessories

Sweaters: Bongénie Grieder, Zara

Vest: Manor Woman

Ski Pants: Fusalp

Trousers: Farfalla Rosso

Shoes: Aldo

Hat: Inverni

Jewellery: Hush, Benoit de Gorski, Bagus

Beauty

Face: Lumene Invisible Illumination Instant Glow Beauty Serum, Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in 01 Gold Dust, Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Concealer in 2C Light Medium, Lumene Invisible Illumination Nordic Glow Palette

 Eyes: Too Faced Natural Eyes Neutral Eyeshadow Collection, Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in 12 Burgundy Suede, Benefit Roller Lash mascara in black, Estée Lauder Brow Now Brow Defining Pencil in 02 Light Brunette

Lips: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Rose Tea

Nails: Trind Nail Repair Natural

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Disclaimer

Sample and images are my own.