CZAR Fragrances is a Kuwait-based perfume house building a modern designer collection through collaborations with emerging international perfumers. They work with a range of different fragrance labs for different projects, choosing partners whose style matches the creative direction of each release. TREND is their collaboration with Argeville, an independent French fragrance house with deep roots in Provence and long-established expertise in naturals and aromatic materials.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
This is the second CZAR fragrance I’ve tested and now own. The first, composed by Luca Maffei, well received in the review circuit, but didn’t blend well with my skin chemistry. TREND feels entirely different for me. It settles beautifully, wears clean and polished, and even with its subtle masculine lean, it fits naturally into my warm-weather wardrobe.
Antoine Cotton is a young French perfumer trained in Paris, with a style that mixes classical structure with modern restraint. He gravitates toward citrus, aromatic herbs, and orris, and TREND reflects that signature. His formulas favor clarity and thoughtful contrast rather than heavy effects, which explains why the fragrance feels so balanced from the first spray to the drydown.
The Scent
The opening is bright and smooth. Mandarin, lemon, and a hint of rhubarb create an immediate sense of clarity. Aldehydes bring a fine sparkle that keeps the citrus focused and gives the top its polished profile. The effect is crisp and airy, the kind of freshness you expect from refined French perfumery rather than casual citrus spritzes.
As it begins to settle, orris moves forward and gives TREND its elegance. The texture becomes soft and cool. Lavender, rosemary, and thyme add structure through the center of the composition. These aromatic notes are what give the perfume its masculine tilt on my skin. The herbs are clean and composed, more tailored than rugged, and they sit beautifully against the brightness of the citrus.
Top: Apple, Mandarin, Rhubarb, Aldehydes
Heart: Orris, Orange Blossom, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme
Base: Vanilla, Tonka, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Frankincense
Orange blossom adds a gentle brightness around the heart without shifting the character. Everything stays smooth, orderly, and grounded.
The drydown introduces cedarwood, incense, vanilla, and tonka. The warmth arrives quietly and holds close to the skin. The orris remains present, giving the base an even, velvety finish.
In terms of style, TREND lives in the same world as Dior Homme Cologne, Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche, Acqua di Parma Colonia Essenza, and the iris-forward freshness of early Prada classics. Where TREND distinguishes itself is in the way the aldehydes, citrus, herbs, and orris are edited with such clarity.
The Craft
Argeville’s role in TREND is evident in the materials. The citrus feels natural and textured, the herbs feel full and aromatic, and the woods have a gentle resinous warmth. Argeville’s long history with aromatic plants and Mediterranean raw materials comes through in the fragrance’s clean structure and easy transparency.
Cotton designed TREND using a concise, tightly built formula that focuses on balance and shape. The development notes emphasize the desire to create something both familiar and modern, using a classic citrus-aromatic architecture and giving it a fresh, contemporary lift through aldehydes and orris.
The result is a fragrance that feels edited rather than crowded. Every section of the scent moves smoothly into the next. It wears with clarity and intention.
The Wear
On me, TREND is bright, clean, and quietly masculine. The citrus stays elevated, the orris keeps the scent refined, and the herbs create a grounded structure that never overwhelms. This is a perfect warm-weather fragrance: easy to reach for, easy to enjoy, and polished enough for everyday life.
The projection stays moderate and sits close without disappearing. It feels breathable and elegant, especially in heat.
For anyone who enjoys citrus, aldehydes, orris, and aromatic freshness with a masculine lean, TREND offers a clean, modern interpretation that feels genuinely wearable.
Elevated Classics Classification
Primary Category: Luxury Niche
Secondary Tags: Multi-Lab Brand, Independent Lab Partner (Argeville) for TREND, French Perfumery Influence, Creative Perfumer Collaboration, Kuwait-Based Designer House
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