As much as I love to stress the importance of separating aesthetics from the Kibbe IDs when assessing possible outfits and garments, I must equally stress the importance of contemplating the underlying “essences” that give the Kibbe IDs a more recognizable persona. I believe these essences offer a chance to more deeply resonate with the IDs, especially if one is “in between” types.
Bridging my love for both perfume and the Kibbe system, here are my personal contemplations on the archetypes within the Kibbe system and the fragrances that I associate with them. Again, I have no intentions of giving insight into silhouette analysis or garment selection with this post. These are just my personal interpretations of the very generalized personas of the Kibbe system. I also wish to emphasize how personal fragrance is- the same scent will amplify differently according to skin type and scenarios. Lastly, please note that I do not believe there is a connection between physical silhouette and fragrance. Persona and character are the only attributes being observed with these associations.
In no way is this list exhaustive or very deeply thought out. These are the perfumes that came to mind first!
Dramatic Perfume: Regal, Striking, and Blessed with Gravitas
Gazing at the striking and regal faces of Dramatics Lauren Bacall, Cate Blanchett, and Faye Dunaway, my mind instantly conjures up images of a modern queen ruling with authority and command. The fragrances that create an aura of potency, regality, and strength include Tom Ford’s Black Orchid, Byredo’s Black Saffron, and CK’s Euphoria.
Black Orchid creates its own gravitational pull, infusing the air with spicy sweetness and earthy smoke. Dark, domineering, and intense, this is a scent for the confident and self assured. Those who wear it do best to believe in the power of their presence (and the presence of this fragrance) with a less-is-more mentality. The insecure or those who overcompensate will overwhelm everyone around them, transforming this mysterious and self-composed fragrance into a desperate cry for attention.
Byredo’s Black Saffron is much harder to overspray; the Byredo house generally offers more moderate sillage. Deep, dark, mysterious, and enticing, this scent conjures images of a very composed woman drinking a tonic cocktail on leather seats in a pleasantly smoky bar.
A more accessible option, CK’s Euphoria offers woody, darkly juicy orchid blooms when worn on the appropriate skin. It can be sensual, enticing, and mysterious. On the wrong person, it smells a bit synthetic, like concentrated juice that’s spilled and dried up over time.
Soft Dramatic: Diva Chic
Soft Dramatic Diva Chic vibes make me think of lush florals and deep, sensual woods that linger and luxuriate.
Armani’s Rouge Malachite offers a heady floral experience. This is a dense amber-floral that intoxicates.
Narciso Rodriguez’s For Her creates a sensual atmosphere. It blooms profusely, blending woody musk and amber with creamy florals and insolent orange blossom. This definitely leaves a trail.
Bottega Veneta’s namesake perfume smells luxurious, blending leather, spicy, and fresh greenery. The more daytime appropriate of the three, this is still lovely for evenings and date nights.
Flamboyant Natural: Free Spirit Chic
Fresh, free-spirited, and far from pretentious, these scents bring to mind openness, vitality, and natural charm.
Byredo’s Bal D’Afrique is such a happy charmer. Well rounded, fresh, radiant, and golden, this scent feels like late afternoon sunshine and golden hour in a field of marigolds.
Diptyque’s Phylosykos is a well loved favorite of mine. The creamy sandalwood and fig are comforting, addictive, and sustaining. This is a fragrance you can never get tired of and it never overwhelms. Self assurance and expansion come to mind with this scent.
More polarizing, Lush’s Karma is an aromatic and herbal fragrance that makes me think of a 90’s cool girl who probably shopped at the first Whole Foods. The strong and bright orange and lemongrass notes play well with the more oily resin and patchouli. This is a fragrance that comes with its own atmosphere.
Soft Natural: Fresh and Sensual Lady
Soft Natural scents are gently visceral. The first that comes to mind is Bronze Goddess from Estee Lauder, which is redolent of luxuriant tropical beach vibes.
Dior’s J’adore is a staple for a reason- it is a balmy, radiant, but relatively clean jasmine fragrance that can be worn by such a wide range of maturity levels in a wide range of scenarios. It always smells pretty and sensual.
Byredo’s Gypsy Water offer a fun experience- imagine standing in the threshold of an incense shop in the middle of a very lush forest with a perpetual gentle breeze.
Dramatic Classics: Tailored Chic
Dramatic Classic energy is refined and sleek with bold and striking Dramatic undercurrent.
The more subtle of the three, Tom Ford’s Santal Blush is a spicy woodsy and elegant skin scent that offers depth and restrained complexity.
Gris Charnel from BDK Parfum offers a spicy and warm radiance, but be careful with the polarizing cardamom note. Cardamom can bloom beautifully or it can sink down and come across as very oily and metallic. Again, test everything on your skin.
Lastly, Kenzo’s Jungle L’elephant is a potential stunner. A long time favorite of mine, this perfume can either perform as a self-composed and riveting scent or it can be too much. Note that it has a cumin note, which can either smell lovely and earthy or like body odor.
Soft Classic: Graceful and Elegant Lady
Soft Classic energy is understated, poised, graceful, and pleasant.
The first perfume that comes to mind is the lovely Bois de Balincourt from Maison Marie Louis. I imagine that this clean, woodsy, and slightly spicy scent is like TF Santal Blush’s more floaty and airy sister.
Jo Malone’s Peony and Blush Suede is perpetually pleasant. Fresh, well rounded, and very feminine, this is a polite fragrance with personality. I imagine this to be wearable by any age and appropriate enough for daytime office wear but pretty enough for more dressed up occasions.
Chanel’s Gabrielle possesses the balance that is so ingrained within the Chanel signature. Refined and sweet, this is a beautiful and radiant option.
Flamboyant Gamines: Sassy Chic
Flamboyant Gamine energy is electric, dynamic, lively, and spunky.
Lolita Lempicka offers many contrasting, dynamic, but playful and youthful fragrances that make me think of the Gamine family. One option (a favorite of mine that was my very first fragrance buy) is Si, a spicy and sassy pink pepper scent. It is zesty but sweet and innocent all at once.
MFK’s Baccarat Rouge 540 promises complexity and magic, and with a more sassy chic delivery, that promise is made true. Still, I recommend ordering a sample of this scent before investing. Depending on your skin chemistry, the notes can shine or they can muddle. I think this scent is the most exciting when worn by a spunky individual, especially as its popularity has made the scent so prevalent.
Dior’s Hypnotic Poison offers a rootbeer/sasparilla fizzy treat, or it smells like playdough. If the former is true on your skin, this is a fun and flirty fragrance.
Perhaps I am a bit biased with the Soft Gamine associations, as I personally resonate with this ID. Spitfire chic energy is lively, sweet, spunky, and playful. The Gamine dynamism and vivacity is definitely a factor as well.
Two of my favorite fragrances come from Etat Libre D’Orange. The first is Like This, which Tilda Swinton collaborated on. She wanted to bring her childhood memories into the scent and introduced the rare pumpkin note, which gives this fragrance a very “orange” character. Like the color orange, this scent is warm and zesty, spicy and snuggly, fun and creative.
The other ELDO fragrance is You or Someone Like You, which is a very wearable and refreshing fizzy mint cocktail. This scent energizes yet comforts, much like freshly picked sweet mint.
Another favorite, Kilian’s Princess is a gorgeous juxtaposition of more modern, almost gourmand-like vanilla and 90’s style aromatic ginger and lemon. A very fun and sweet choice.
Theatrical Romantics: Femme Fatale Chic
Theatrical Romantic energy is an iron fist beneath a velvet glove.
Versace’s Crystal Noir is a sheer and dark coconut and amber scent that offers coolness and enticement. It’s a “hard to get” kind of scent that doesn’t come on too directly or welcome you too warmly, but it will definitely linger and it is very alluring.
Tom Ford’s Jasmin Rouge plays hot and cold, with heavy and seductive florals that seem to come and go and transform with each departure.
Lush’s Lust offers a dense bouquet of indolic and heady jasmine, which can bloom so beautifully on the right skin or nauseate on the wrong kind.
Romantics: Dream Spinner
Dreamy, sweet, enchanting, and sensual, the Romantic energy brings to mind fantasy and lots of florals.
Delina from Parfums de Marly makes good on the promise of its delicate and ultra-feminine bottle. Rose, lychee, and rhubarb notes soar into pretty, pale pink clouds. On the wrong skin, this can be quite sour. On the right skin, this is extremely romantic and optimistic.
Mon Guerlain from Guerlain offers vanilla lavender elegance and enchantment. A genteel and dreamy scent.
Flowerbomb from Viktor and Rolf offers flirty sweet florals, which can be too loud or generic on the wrong skin but can bloom beautifully and entice under the right conditions. This one is so popular for a very good reason.
Kibbe Types as Perfumes
Again, these are just my associations between fragrance and the archetypal aspects to the Kibbe system. Your fragrance enjoyment is definitely based on your personal preferences and skin chemistry, so please don’t avoid or pursue a certain perfume based only on persona or vibe, especially when that is being articulated by others.
xx
Nona
