DARE TO WEAR

Rather be remembered with a nostril-twitching signature scent? Our top controversial fragrances sure make a statement for those who dare to wear.

Womanity by Thierry Mugler from Dh338 (Bloomingdale’s)

A mixture of dessert figs and savoury caviar, you’re never sure if that’s someone’s perfume or a freshly laid out brunch you’re sniffing. Although Womanity never reached the success of the iconic chocolately musky Angel, it does capture the essence of femininity – sometimes sweet, sometimes salty, and full of contradictions.

Comme des Garcons 2011 by Commes des Garcons from Dh459 (luckyscent.com)

With notes of industrial glue and duct tape, this one-of-a-kind fragrance smells like petrol fumes mixed with a plastics factory and inhaling it is probably equally as hazardous for your health. Treat this molten glass bottle from the left-ofcentre French designer as an art piece, rather than risk spraying it on.

Bvlgari Black by Bvlgari from Dh110 (amazon.com)

A unisex eau de parfum, this 90s release is equally beloved and revered. A non-traditional combination of notes brings to mind vanilla ice cream served on a melted rubber car tyre, and dusted with cigarette ash. Guaranteed to get a reaction.

Sécrétions Magnifiques by Etat Libre d’Orange from Dh445 (luckyscent.com)

Offbeat perfumery Etat Libre d’Orange claims to put blood, sweat and tears into creating this shocking scent, and quite literally so, with these human “secretions” appearing as fragrance notes. Some have called it innovative and imaginative. For others, it’s just plain disgusting.