New York Mercer Street
Six materials and a 100ml bottle make Karl Lagerfeld New York Mercer Street Eau de Toilette 100ml the simpler and more generous of the two Mercer Street listings on this shelf. Lime and basil are the whole of the opening, and the pairing is better than it sounds on paper. Basil is peppery, green and slightly aniseed, the sort of herb that smells cold rather than culinary when it is used properly, and lime is sharp and bitter at the skin rather than sweet. Together they give about twenty minutes of real brightness.
Rhubarb is the material that defines the fragrance. It is sour, stalky and watery, closer to a vegetable than a fruit, and it is the reason the whole thing reads crisp instead of comfortable. Geranium beside it adds a cool green floral edge that holds the citrus and the rhubarb together. Vetiver and musk make up the base, and they are used sparingly: the vetiver dry and rooty for grip, the musk soft for comfort. Expect an eau de toilette wear of four to six hours, assertive at the start and close to the skin from the second hour onwards, which is normal for a composition this transparent.
It reads unisex with a masculine lean, it is a hot weather scent first and foremost, and it is well suited to work, daytime and travel. Alienor Massenet is credited with it and the release is dated 2020. The label trades under the name of Karl Lagerfeld, a German designer who was simultaneously in charge of design at Chloe and Fendi and became creative director of Chanel in 1983; it is run from Amsterdam and its fragrance is produced by licence partners, as are most of its categories outside womenswear and accessories.
Please note: images are a guide only. Packaging and bottle design may occasionally differ from those shown due to manufacturer updates or promotions.
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