MAISON MARGIELA.
Coffee Break 2019
Perfumer
Jacques Cavallier Belletrud
Key notes
Coffee Accord · Red Apple Accord · Lemon Essence · Lavender Essence · Spearmint Essence · Orange Flower Absolute · Milk Mousse Accord · Sandalwood Essence · Cedarwood Essence
Revisiting this after a few years, I had sort of enjoyed it before, but ultimately found the lavender and coffee combination too challenging. This year, though, I found myself drawn away from gourmands and towards more aromatic, unisex scents, so I reached for Coffee Break again, remembering its strangely moreish quality.
I get cold coffee beans, luminous and dark, like the cups handed out in perfume shops to reset your nose between tests. There’s also a strong sense of texture: smooth and soft, like velvet milk from a high-end espresso machine. A curious plastic note runs through it too, polished and addictive, almost vinyl-like.
Coffee Break has an invigorating quality, reminiscent of your quintessential Marylebone barbers. Glossy brown wood, reclining chairs and elegant shaving foams. How can a perfume be borderline edible while smelling soapy and dazzlingly fresh? Somehow it works. I really don’t think it should, but it does.
I like it. A lot.
It strikes a balance between a distinguished classic cologne and the vanillic fragrances I usually gravitate towards. It feels like the perfect in-between scent. Fresh and casual, yet deliberate and refined.
This perfume smells like shades of purple and blue. It has a sober, focused character that I find very appealing.
Metallic, spiced, toasted, milky, sugared, fluffy, woody, bitter, sweet, smoky and silky are all words I would assign to it.
Absolutely one for very cold weather.
EXTRAIT NOTES:
Mood
Effortlessly cool.
Wear when you want to feel
Clean and cosy.
Last thought
Lavender latte.