“Futur” is a cheeky name for a perfume. After all, is it a fragrance or a fortune teller? On smelling Robert Piguet Futur, the name seems even less fitting — Futur smells like something from a different era. On the other hand, Futur also smells like springtime condensed: optimistic, brash, fresh, and jarring in the best way. Read like that, Futur is about hope. Suddenly its name is entirely appropriate.
According to the Piguet website, Piguet Futur was first released in the 1960s. Perfumer Aurélien Guichard reworked the original fragrance, which was released this summer as a Harrod’s exclusive. Futur’s notes include bergamot, neroli, violet, jasmine, ylang ylang, vetiver, cedar, and patchouli.
The first minute of Futur on skin smells intensely green, like crushed dandelion stems bolstered by aldehydes. The green quickly becomes more floral with what to me smells like sweet, crisp hyacinth and the buzz of jasmine. It’s still razor sharp and not subtle in the least. At this stage, Futur wants to be worn with shantung silk suits in tulip colors.
Futur’s dry down reveals a moody complexity underneath its cheerful top. About 45 minutes after application, a strange, old-fashioned blend of what must be cedar and vetiver, still flavored with ylang ylang, settles in. It smells a little like damp cardboard, pencils, and flowers, or like a homeopathic remedy of herbs and roots that is supposed to vanquish melancholy by giving you a tiny dose of it. I love it. Somehow the change in mood from optimism to reflection works, too. After all, hope should build at least partially on sadness and disappointment. Otherwise it is only expectation.
Perfume lovers will find a lot to appreciate in Futur. Futur offers a whiff of the intense green and floral combination Balmain Vent Vert pioneered. It also takes its wearer on a heady ride through its three- or four-hour lifespan. Maybe best of all, Futur gives a perfume lover a way to make a statement without resorting to the hackneyed super spicy or boldly leathery or freakily skanky perfumes. Instead, Futur is powerful but elegant.
People not very experienced with perfume might not be drawn to Futur — at least not initially. It’s not a fragrance that sells itself within two minutes on a strip of paper. It’s not comfortable, sexy, or juicy right away. Just intriguing and assertive. But for those of us who have been around the block once or twice but remain confident and optimistic, it’s a keeper. Like they say, tomorrow is only a day away.
Robert Piguet Futur comes in 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum and 30 ml Parfum. It is available at Harrods in the UK and Bergdorf Goodman in the UK (although Bergdorfs does not have it online). It will presumably go into wider distribution eventually.
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Sounds intriguing – although ylang ylang can go very wrong on me, so it will have to be skin tested before buying.
Futur is so particular that skin-testing is a really good idea. I’m starting to wonder if Piguet is making its name on assertive, character-ridden perfumes. If so, that’s o.k. by me!
Futur is making all the right noises….Optimistic, brash, herbs, roots, confident….powerful but elegant ….my nostrils are positively TWITCHING! It’l probably take a while to make it across the pond ….and that’s okay, because right now I’m perfume-exhausted and perfume-broke….piggy bank in intensive care…it needs a transplant….large bills only…
Must.avoid.new.perfume. I want a nook, darn it. Now I just need to repeat that 50,000 times a day and *maybe* it will sink in.
I know just what you mean!
Oh boy, I hear you! I made it through the spring and summer fine, but this fall has yielded a few bottles I really want. Futur seems like it would be best for spring, anyway.
The only thing that is saving me right now is the lack of availability.
It’s so assertive, it’s a good one to test first, anyway.
Anywhere I can find samples?? I looked at TPC the other day and they didn’t have it yet.
I bet they’ll get samples soon. Also, the word on the street is that a bottle of Futur–less samples taken for writing reviews–might come up for an NST giveaway…
Oops, never mind–it’s there now. How sad is it that I have to now wait until payday to buy one little sample?? (And if anyone’s answer is, “Not very, because you won’t go on there and just buy one sample,” then you know me too well.)
this is where I give a big scooby doo “whaaaaaa-uut?”
TPC samples, just like Pringles. Yup.
At least I haven’t tried to ingest my perfume samples. Yet.
Violet makes it a nono for me, I smelled it when I was in Paris in October: http://altgodt.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/les-parfums/
I really didn’t get a lot of violet in it, but it sounds like you did. Oh well, one less thing to want is good!
Is the “pencil shaving accord” a formally recognized one? If not it should be. It makes an appearance in Violet Empire and is what made me fall in love with the scent. If Futur is even part Violet Empire and part Vent Vert then it is all me.
“Part this, part that, all me” – what a nice turn of phrase!
I agree!
Thanks so much guys!
I agree. Pencil shaving accord should be formally recognized, along with Pine Sol accord. It’s not super pronounced in Futur like it is in, say, Femininite des Bois.
ITA, don’t know what it is, some type of wood, I guess.
I’d say it’s cedar.
Pencil shaving accord is a nicer way of putting it. I call Feminite du Bois “hamster cage accord”… but don’t get me wrong, I like the scent. It can sometimes be a little too “Eau de Cedar Chest” though.
It does pack a wallop of cedar, true, but I find myself reaching for it often.
You don’t say? And off I go to join Ms. Kitty in the payday sample line…
Oh, I know! Sometimes I think I should have my payday deposited straight to Luckyscent.
They should really consider having a monthly sample program with direct fund withdrawal. They’re already getting my money anyway.
It really would be a great marketing strategy (sadly).
Angela, you don’t mention the patchouli in the drydown. Is it there? Speaking as one who really can’t stand patch unless it’s present as just a hair. Speaking as just a hare, of course.
I don’t smell anything that makes me think, “oh, there’s the patchouli”. The dry down is such a strange and beautiful blend, and I guess the patch contributes to it (I wish I had a better nose and could dissect it better for you) but it doesn’t stand out distinctly to me at alll.
Sounds really interesting! The damp cardboard, pencils, etc. drydown is what intrigues me most! I have to agree with the poster above that I am fond of “pencil shaving accord”.
There’s not a whole lot of pencil shaving accord, but it’s there and makes up an intriguing part of that wonderful dry down.
oooh….OOOOOH must try! I just fell in love with Bandit and Fracas over the last several weeks so can’t wait to try this one! Maybe it will show up at TPC or Posh Peasant for sampling soon.
Great review, Angela!
I bet it does show up soon–certainly in time for the holidays. I can’t imagine Piguet would want to miss that window.
Damp cardboard, pencils and flowers. Reminds me of walking home from school during the spring time rains. This sounds interesting.
The flowers are sharp and buzzy–probably having a lot to do with the jasmine. I like your spring walking-home-from-school analogy!
Another beautifully written review, Angela, in which we lucky readers get the scent development, the notes, the history, the feel of the fragrance, and a sprinkling of philosophy. Thanks again!
And I’m looking forward to sampling this at some point in the “futur” as well. It will be awhile before I’m longing to smell green florals again, but I will certainly want them in the spring. Just to clarify: Futur is bold and powerful, the green floral lover’s Big Statement Perfume? The Opium-hater’s SMELL ME! perfume? How I’ve longed for something like that.
I think that’s a good description! It definitely makes a statement, but not in any way like Opium’s.
“The Opium hater’s SMELL ME! perfume” is one heck of a tag line. I may even want it more now.
You’ll have to tell me what you think when you try it.
I’m having to stay away from aldehydes lately, sadly…too headache inducing.
But your review is worth reading anyway. Love the part, “After all, hope should build at least partially on sadness and disappointment. Otherwise it is only expectation.” Perfect for this rainy fall day. I want to make some tea and ponder that poetic thought.
Too bad about the aldehydes! They must be hard to avoid, too–it seems like they sneak into so many perfumes.
Yes, it’s Perfume Philosophy. Not taught at any of your fancy universities.
Sounds like the perfect remedy to blah winter blues in a few months! I will completely respect your assertion that it should be tested first– that cedar is tricky on me sometimes. But it sounds so challenging & interesting – like looking at really good art – and I alreay have the lovely reformulated Baghari! But if I don’t like Futur, I’ll just put on some Envy or No 19 and call it a day.
I’ve been impressed by the Piguet releases. Visa wasn’t for me, but I loved smelling it, and of course Fracas and Bandit are staples. I wonder what’s next?
Oh, and Baghari, definitely. I wouldn’t mind a bottle of that one.
I hit-up my super sister for a bottle of Baghari last year for Xmas and it is totally wonderful stuff. So plush, elegant, lovely, supremely sophisticated. I think it completely rivals (or even technically out-rivals) No 5 for sheer beauty and poise, as it is much warmer in character. And I love No 5 parfum. I highly recommend Baghari as just really outstanding stuff.
Its warmth is what is so nice about it, I agree.
Angela, I know you mention Guichard as the nose behind the reformulation, but is there any chance that this was originally another Germaine Cellier creation?
I don’t know the original nose behind Futur (but I’d love to know, if anyone can tell me!), but I don’t think it was Cellier. I think she did most of her perfume creating before the mid-1960s, and died in 1974 but was ill for some years before that (this is according to a biography by the French society of perfumers).
Well Angela, you’ve gone and done it again. Your beautifully written review has got me all atwitter. This sounds incredible and I can’t wait to try it. Piguet has such an impressive track record [and don't you just love their bottles?! ].
I do love their bottles! And, yes, it seems like their releases are all interesting. Let me know what you think if you try this one.
Luv Fracas and Bandit so will have to sample Futur. Just discovered TPC-and they ship to Australia! What a great way to try new and old perfumes!
Yay!
you’ve found TPC—-you may now kiss your money goodbye!
“TPC, sucking the money out of wallets, worldwide!”
it should be their slogan….ah, yeah…I’ve got to go put some “Futur” in my basket now…. see y’all later…..
Sad but true!
I found it about a month- and at least 10 5ml rollons later!!!!!
Oh dear!! But, again, what a great idea!!
It’s so easy to fill up that shopping cart!
It really is a good way to try something you’re curious about without committing to a whole bottle or dealing with swapping. Have fun!
oh, don’t get me wrong—I adore TPC, what a wonderful concept! –the problem is that there is so much that I want and my resistence level is less than zero….I can never put just 2 or 3 samples in the basket….I start looking around and it sounds like I’m watching fireworks! oooooh! (click), aahhhhh (click)…oooohh! (click) etc.etc
Oh, I know exactly what you mean! Who wants one or two tiny little samples in the mail all by themselves?
I love that fireworks analogy!
Believe it or not, I sniffed this at BG yesterday and turned down a sample! Looks like I could’ve sold it around here, darn… The SA was so incredibly nice — he loaded me up with samples of all the new VC&As, all the new Kurkdjians, played with the bubbles with me, made me a sample of Kilian Pure Oud, and best of all, didn’t try to sell me a thing! — that I felt I had to turn something down, and I opted for Visa instead of Futur. Truth be told, it seemed a bit dull on paper, but now I wish I’d snagged a sample! Oh well…
If anyone needs anything at Bergdorf’s, give my man Taylor a call — he’s technically the JAR guy, but he was utterly fantastic in humoring my sample ho-ing and pointing me to all the good stuff.
If you ask me, Taylor should opt for Hollywood. His gifts are wasted in perfume sales.
Do you mean to imply that Taylor’a gifts are also wasted on phone calls? Which Bergdorf’s is this? And why doesn’t TPC offer a special Stunning Man Sample Delivery Service?
I think you’ll be most pleased with the in-person effect, although phone might be nice, too. It’s the Bergdorf Goodman in NYC (I think that’s the only one there is).
Yes, the fact that he’s easy on the eyes doesn’t hurt either!
So, you noticed! I went with friends to the whole JAR presentation last spring, and we spent part of the rest of the day debating Taylor’s various merits. I like a different sort of guy (although I see Taylor’s positive aspects for sure) but J. was a big fan.
Oh c’mon… good-looking, nice, AND into perfume? Sounds perfect to me! Straight and single would be nice too, of course.
Ah, sounds…wonderful. I ♥ Vent Vert, No.19…in fact, your description of it’s shift from sharp to something other reminded me of what No.19 does on me…from a biting galbanum green to a creamy floral one. The only thing that would give me pause is the aldehydes…but Baghari is one of two aldehydic frags I can immediately think of that not only don’t give me pain, but actually please me. In fact, I think Baghari means “Happy Up”. (command, and beverage
)
Like so many others commenting here, am quite looking forward to a chance to give it a whirl. Thanks for the review.
To me, Baghari is blatantly a floral aldehyde, and Futur isn’t. It just has a little booster amount in its lift-off.
You’re welcome for the review!
Ohhh, this sounds absolutely fantabulous!! I love Fracas and Bandit, will probably love Futur too! Sharp-green-in your face sounds very tempting!
It’s a big old smack of violent springtime, that’s for sure. But the dry down is so haunting. Be sure and let me know what you thing!
I am looking forward to trying this, it sounds like a marvelous scent-Bandit doesn’t get as much play in my rotation but the CEO loves the bad girl rep it has. I think the musk/leather/patch notes have a little rougher edge that’s fun and not so predictable.
I find myself wearing Bandit more in summer than cool weather, strangely. Maybe it’s the blast of green in its opening.
This sounds so interesting. I do want to sample Futur. Baghari is absolutely beautiful. Thanks Angela for the review.
You’re welcome, and I’d love to know what you think!
so curious !!!!!!! yet i have to try fracas first !
Every perfume lover must try Fracas! Maybe it won’t be for you (for instance, I rarely wear it), but it’s something to admire anyway.
Sounds great— but I’m not a fan of Bandit or Fracas. They’re just too big on my skin. Think that this would still work for me?
This one might be too big, too. If you ever stumble across a sample, it’s fun to try, just for the dry down.
Another thing I like is the consistency in branding. One look at the bottle and you know it’s a RP scent.
I agree! I especially like the parfum bottles.
i just ordered .25 oz of fracas parfum – i love those elegant little bottles. they remind me of elixir from a long-lost apothecary. anyway, one more piguet to seek out! hooray!
I love the bottles, too. Once I ordered some Bandit parfum, and the bottle arrived with the stopper broken off. It was so sad! It was their last bottle, too.
Hi Angela. You do realize that almost every one of your reviews sends many people one step closer to the poorhouse — metaphorically if not literally?
This does sound interesting enough to hunt down a decant, and I’ve been intrigued since it was announced. I love the name.
I haven’t had time to run through the comments, but do you see *any* relationship whatsoever between this and ‘a scent by issey’?
Hey, I’d love some company in the poorhouse!
I guess A Scent and Futur are both green, but they feel very different to me. A Scent would be a pale girl who reads Bonjour Tristesse and listens to emo music. Futur would be a woman with a biting wit who reads Duras and drinks gin.
Ha! Late to the piece, but just saw your post and had to respond.
I recently bought a FB of this and adore it. On me it softens quickly after the initial slap of verdancy, but has enough backbone to last in air conditioning and has the requisite austerity for an office fragrance.
And yes – I love gin
I’ve got to find my sample of this and wear it again! It’s been way too long since I’ve tried it. I remember loving it, though.
A perfume from the 60′s called “Futur” reminds me of the song title “Wasn’t Tomorrow Wonderful?”
That’s perfect! A genius title.
I’d like to try this one too. Futur is an interesting name. As I’ve studied Graphic Design, “Futura” is the name of a well-known font. For instance, for feminine hygiene products, the Kotex brand utilizes the Futura font, along with images of flowers in its packaging and marketing materials.
I’ve certainly heard of the Futura font, but didn’t know it was on Kotex boxes! I’ll never look at feminine hygiene the same.