A fragrance line based on the stench of the Earth’s primordial ooze might not seem like the most obvious fit, but that’s the thinking behind nu_be, a new collection of premium perfumes from Italian company Fluid Ounce.
“nu_be speaks of the origins of the universe, of that primordial magma that gave birth to the stars, a material still in fusion that harks back to Chaos, a state preceding finished Form. Something spiritual and cosmic that recalls the uncontaminated matter of the bowels of the Earth. The unexpected experience of an outcrop of pure materials, each hidden within another” goes the blurb…
Wowzer, heady stuff. But actually, the juice (the five fragrances in the line are each based on one of five elements – Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Carbon and Oxygen) is anything but. Totally everyday wearable (move over CK One), you might even call them kinda wishy-washy (if you were feeling mean). Here’s what we say they smell like.
Hydrogen: That jock you kissed at at Prom
Helium: Mince pies
Lithium: Lighter fluid
Oxygen: Vodka martini
Carbon: Wax candle and pencil shavings
And now over to the man behind the line, Alberto Borri.
DID YOU FEEL JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKE GOD, CREATING THESE FRAGRANCES?
“The concept of these fragrances was not based on feeding an inherent creator complex, but rather to entice the imagination of the unknown expanse of what the Universe could smell like.”
SO IS THIS WHAT THE UNIVERSE REALLY SMELLS LIKE?
“The possibilities are really endless. This olfactory journey is in some cases more simple and literal (hydrogen) and in other more complex (Carbon).”
THEY’RE SO LIGHT AND AIRY. WHY NOT MAKE THEM MORE INTENSE?
“The fragrances definitely range in their intensity from Carbon’s heavy spice of life roots and cardamom, to Antoine Lie’s Hydrogen which is bubbly and explosive. We created fragrances that wouldn’t just adorn a personal collection of niche fragrance but can actually be worn daily. I guess we had a choice between a rotten egg smell and a slightly more sensual interpretation of how the stars were born, and we chose the latter but who knows, maybe Sulphur will be next.”
WHAT’S YOUR ELEMENT OF CHOICE?
“My perfume is Hydrogen because I love to start the day and feel alive with that explosion of energy, but also because then it becomes more personal and comfortable.”
Scentsual…Numi x
