Hi there ULGers, A perfume crew that is rarely cited on the scentbloggosphere is Olibere. I’m not sure why. Here are my thoughts. They’re not a huge conglomerate with millions to spend on hype, they don’t use influencers, they’re a bit too good for the modern perfume bro but not classic or strange enough for the super perfumista crowd. I’ve got a couple of faves from them but today I thought we could talk about Escapade a Byzance. Mainly because this year it turns 10 years old ! That’s a big deal in modern perfume years. Especially from a fairly under the radar house. I’ve had a 20ml travel of it for a while and it gets enough wear that it’s nearly half gone.
From Olibere: “A gourmand, warm, spicy and carnal fragrance, which will take you to the heart of a Moroccan souk. Perfume inspired by the film « The sheltering sky », shot in Morocco.”
I’m also loving that the brand’s blurb and my recent Morocco holiday are so well aligned.
Escapade a Byzance by Olibere 2015
Olibere gives these featured accords:
Top: Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Saffron, Ginger, Cumin, Citrus
Heart: Cypress, Carnation, Incense
Base: Vanilla, Benzoin, Musk, Amber, Patchouli, Vetiver, Atlas Cedar
Opening is a warm vanilla rich amber that is given some extra spicy bells and whistles and interestingly the ginger gives it a very sharp green spiced effect, like biting into really expensive bitter dark chocolate ginger. It’s such an attention grabbing first few minutes.
Once we head to the heart Escapade a Byzance becomes a fragrance wholly blended to become itself, rather than outstanding notes. It’s a surprisingly dusty melange of spices, flowers, woods and a smoky overlay on a base of patchouli/amber. Today I’m wearing it in 27C/80f and it is blooming beautifully. I love that the bells and whistles last longer than just the opening and head with us into dry down.
Dry down becomes more about the patchouli and a raunchy musk. The amber, spice and smoke are much more noticeable as the heft of Escapade a Byzance lowers. Maybe two hours in and the fireworks have calmed. I’m still fragrant 7 hours later but at a much lower projection. Now I need to move a bit to get a proper huff out of my top.
Unisex but leaning traditional and with excellent longevity. Does Escapade a Byzance remind me of being in a Moroccan souk? Yes and no. This is a fantasized glamorous rendering that amps up all the good bits and leaves out most of the cooking and less attractive parts. So a beautiful, technicolor dream of a Moroccan souk.
Do you know the Olibere Parfums brand?
Portia xx
Undina's Looking Glass 
Several years ago when I was posting regularly on my blog I tried a sample set from this brand. I was impressed with several, but especially the prices. And at Christmas they always have an even bigger discount. I think I ended up buying L’Etoile Noire, which was a bit darker and moodier, and L’Jardin De Emilie, which was light, simple and fun. I remember a few years ago their perfume Savannah’s Heart got some notice.
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Hey Cynthia,
Isn’t it strange how some houses just don’t get the big reviews? Some of the really interesting ones.
Savannah’s Heart I paid retail for! It’s so wearable and smells G O O D.
I didn’t know they have Xmas discounts. Thanks.
Portia xx
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The last couple of Christmas seasons it was 30%.
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WOW!
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I’ve had to look up Olibere after reading this. Whilst I’d heard of them in passing I’d never tried.
Interesting how similar brands get loads of traction & others don’t.
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I know Alityke, There is just too many brands to keep on top of them all. I’m not even sure how I first heard about this crew but everything I’ve tried has been very nice, some of them utterly new ideas to me. Maybe I bought a Sample set?
Portia xx
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They do a few sample sets on their website
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Yeah, affordable, FREE shipping worldwide AND you get a full refund if you buy a bottle!
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The only reason I haven’t approached Olibere is because of their generally lukewarm reception. Perhaps they’re worth exploring.
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Hey Flaconneur,
On thinking about why Olibere hasn’t gone super crazy, maybe they might be a little too sophisticated for the hype train? Some of their work veers trope-ic modern niche but always has a few extra bells and whistles that make them a cut above. Their dry downs don’t wear as lazy for me either.
I’d love to read your thoughts if you ever get to them.
Portia xx
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I will definitely take a closer look, Portia.
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Excellent
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I haven’t yet been to Morocco and hadn’t heard of Olibere before, but love the idea of a perfume lining up with your holiday. Sometimes I prefer a “fantasized” rendition of an inspiration.
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Heya Nose Prose,
Morocco was fabulous.
Yes, I totally agree. The fantasy version is much more artistic. If I want to smell the real thing I can go or buy Demeter.
Portia xx
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That’s funny…I have literally just been looking at photos friends posted on Instagram of their visit to Fez, and thinking I would love to go there, and here you are describing a perfume that is “a beautiful, technicolor dream of a Moroccan souk”. Never heard of the brand or the perfume, but I am sold!
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Hey Vanessa,
Having just come back from Morocco ourselves it’s funny how things tend to align. Fez was amazing. I’m currently writing a blog post about our visit. It was all so interesting and amazing I forgot to take enough photos, which is bloody annoying.
Portia xx
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