If there’s one perfume name I’m always excited to see, it’s always Maison Francis Kurkdjian (MFK). Whether it’s the high-quality ingredients or the excellent longevity synonymous with its various fragrance offerings, I enjoy anything scented from MFK. With that, founder and perfumer Francis Kurkdjian recently reimagined a fragrance that originally launched in 2009 as separate fragrances for men and women. The latest release, APOM (A Part of Me), is a genderless fragrance that’s woven two existing fragrances into an alluring blend that’s both familiar and refreshingly new.
APOM: Becoming The Part
“APOM, a part of oneself left to others.” – Francis Kurkdjian
Inspired by his visit to Lebanon, Kurkdjian’s latest version of APOM greets your senses with a rich burst of orange blossom. Yet I wouldn’t categorize the scent as citrusy. Instead, the orange blossom soon gives way to lavender, with a scent akin to elegant soap.
Upon the first few spritzes, the fragrance adopts a more feminine approach but this changes as soon as it settles as the scent’s aromatic lavender then leads to a warm, smooth and almost green scent.
“At my Maison, I have the freedom to revisit my own legacy. With the new APOM, I took the best of both: the feminine version’s sunny sensuality and the masculine version’s elegant addictiveness.” – Francis Kurkdjian
Once the scent settles, it becomes more masculine as the amber becomes more obvious, quickly steering away from a floral scent and into a woodier and more balsamic aroma.
Should You Smell The Part?
It’s a nice fragrance, but I wouldn’t perceive it as genderless. In fact, if I were to describe the scent in one word, it would be nice.
It’s effortlessly chic and pretty. However, I wouldn’t see myself buying it for any man in my life who prefers masculine scents – unless they’re looking for something less aggressive.
However, if you’re looking to gift it, it would be for a woman who perceives herself to be elegant and confident, all whilst being subtle about her more aggressive side. It’s for the woman who’s looking for something sweet and floral, but with an undeniable, yet unexplainable edge – the best part of her that she’s willing to share with the world through scent.
Watch APOM become A Part of MFK
Before the release of the fragrance, Francis Kurkdjian was feeling nostalgic for the advertising films. His choice? The films that typically accompanied perfume releases back in the day. So, the perfumer opted to move away from the typical social media video adverts. Rather, he turned to art that showcased his craftsmanship while broadening the fragrance’s unique narrative.
So, in partnership with filmmaker Cyril Teste, the below film manages to create Maison’s creations into a five-minute movie, resulting in a story within a story about the new APOM, by and with Francis Kurkdjian and Cyril Teste.
Where do I find it?
Maison Francis Kurkdjian APOM Eau de Parfum is available from Skins Cosmetics and other niche perfume houses, available both in-store and online.
Want to know more?
Did you know that purple is the color of royalty? With so many regal terms associated with the color purple, it’s no wonder that the luxury fragrance brand The House of Creed used a purple bottle to hold their latest scent; Queen of Silk.
