French Defense
On request
Mind Games Gardez
Apricot, orris and jasmine over black leather
Black and white on a chessboard is the picture the perfumer, Emilie Coppermann, had for Gardez: spice against soft florals, fruit against leathered woods. Apricot and blackberry leaf open it, orris, jasmine sambac, rosewood and cassis fill the middle, and black leather, cedarwood and popcorn close it.
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The store’s selection is really good and comprehensive. Placing an order was very easy, and shipping was really fast. The fragrances were well packed and they were all...
The composition
How it unfolds in notes
The curve shows the order in which the notes come forward, not their strength.
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Top notes
- Apricot
- Blackberry Leaf
-
Heart notes
- Orris
- Jasmine Sambac
- Rosewood
- Cassis
-
Base notes
- Black Leather
- Cedarwood
- Popcorn
- Character
- Strong
- Occasion
- Concentration
- Explore by note
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On the skin
How it unfolds
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Apricot with an edge
The brand describes the start as sharp and spicy, with apricot and juicy fruit. The apricot is soft and downy, and blackberry leaf gives it a green, slightly tart edge, so the fruit is not a dessert but a bright, faintly austere opening.
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Orris, jasmine, cassis
In the middle, orris brings a cool, powdery, buttery softness, jasmine sambac a warm white floral, rosewood a smooth, dry, faintly rosy wood, and cassis a dark, tart berry. This is the soft, floral side of the contrast the perfumer describes.
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Black leather, popcorn
The base is black leather, cedarwood and popcorn. The leather is dark and supple, cedar adds a dry, pencil-like wood, and popcorn is the surprise: a toasty, buttery sweetness that softens the leather. As an extrait it clings close and fades slowly into this warm, toasted wood.
Wearing it
When, who and why
Cooler months and evenings
Gardez fits autumn and winter, and any evening where you want a perfume with a little tension in it. One or two sprays on the chest are enough. Give it a few minutes on the skin before judging: the leather arrives gradually.
Who will like it
People who like floral perfumes with a darker side, and leather fans who prefer it soft and fruity rather than severe. It is unisex, and the popcorn note gives it a playful twist for anyone who enjoys an unusual accord.
Why choose Mind Games Gardez
The idea behind it is serious, willing sacrifice to protect love, freedom and the future, yet the perfume is not heavy-handed. Spice, flowers, fruit and leather keep each other in balance. The contrasts stay clear, with neither the black nor the white side taking over.
At a glance
- House
- Mind Games
- Perfumer
- Emilie Coppermann
- Year
- 2022
- Size
- 100 ml
- Family
- Floral Leather
- For
- Unisex
Questions
Frequently asked
What is the story behind Gardez?
Mind Games ties it to the willing sacrifices made to protect love, freedom and the future. In the perfumer's words, it is the contrast of black and white on the board.
Is the leather in Gardez heavy?
It is dark and supple rather than heavy: black leather is softened by cedarwood, orris and a toasty popcorn note. As an extrait it is dense but not harsh.
Who composed Gardez?
Emilie Coppermann, the perfumer named on the brand's product page. It is an Extrait de Parfum in a 100 ml bottle and, like the whole line, unisex.
The house
About Mind Games
Mind Games is a chess-themed niche house created by Alex and Mariana Shalbaf. Each perfume is an ‘aromatic movement’ that mirrors a move or idea from the game, and every full-size perfume is an Extrait de Parfum in a 100 ml glass flacon with a metal cap shaped like a chess piece.
- A chess-themed niche house created by Alex and Mariana Shalbaf
- Each perfume is an ‘aromatic movement’ that mirrors a move or idea from chess
- The brand calls its whole range unisex or genderless
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What FragranceGems customers say
NicheGems is new. These are reviews from FragranceGems customers about their orders at FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems. Collected by Judge.me.
4.7 out of 5
1,200+ reviews on Judge.me
Reviews of FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems
The store’s selection is really good and comprehensive. Placing an order was very easy, and shipping was really fast. The fragrances were well packed and they were all excellent. I’m very satisfied. 👍💯👍
Very good quality profume, it last long and it has a good price for its incredible aroma and mixes of fruit and wood smell
A cozy, slightly sensual vanilla that feels like warm night air by the sea. Easy to love if you enjoy gourmand perfumes with a soft smoky edge.
This perfume is really well blended, I just removed a star because I personnaly don't like the top note (citronella)
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Good cologne, love the citrus and ginger scent making it a playful combo while the tea base makes it a bit more mature. Great for the gym
FragranceGems is again really quick with their releases. I hope this one smells better than Too Damn Good. Already rating a 5 star because of previous experiences!!
Already pre-order. As always, FragranceGems is the first with good releases. Looking forward to my bottle!
The cap of the bottle came with a small part of it broken off and the glass pieces were in the box
A selection of recent reviews in proportion to their star ratings.
From the house of FragranceGems
The niche department of FragranceGems
NicheGems is part of FragranceGems B.V. in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. Original perfumes from niche houses, handled by the same team that looks after every FragranceGems order.
Reviews of FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems
- Original perfumes, new and in original packaging
- Packed with care in the Netherlands
- Customer service by the FragranceGems team