The first incarnation of Cumming (the original) was as far from the usual big mass market company trying to bank on a Gaga-Bieberish idol by bottling the cheapest juice they can make and sending the celeb to hawk it on Letterman. Alan Cumming could not have found a better perfumer to create his signature anti-celebrity scent. The quirky and uncompromising Christopher Brosius of CB I Hate Perfume was the natural choice for the talented, freaky and ultra-sexy Cumming. The result was a boozey smoky fragrance, the kind you definitely don't take home to your mother.
I don't have a sample of the first Cumming, but I remember it quite clearly (as well as the husband's unfavorable reaction when I made him wear some). According to Christopher Brosius, all the notes in in 2nd Cumming are the ones Alan Cummings originally chose the first time they worked together. But since this perfume was created under Brosius' own label, they got to do it the way they truly intended. Sort of like the director's cut of the perfume. And the result is outstanding.
The opening of 2nd Cumming in its oil/absolute version is very recognizable as a CB I Hate Perfume creation. It's a little sweet, a little overwhelming and has that earthy Brosiusade feel to it. If you're new to the line, this is the time to relax, do something else and let the magic potion start working. And it does. When all the elements come alive on skin, 2nd Cumming is a thick and dark brew of fire, pine and leather. My skin intensifies the leather and puts out the smoke, ending up in a sweet and incredibly sexy skin scent. There's not much of a sillage, so despite Cumming's bold character and in-your-face performance, this is actually a very intimate perfume.
2nd Cumming is officially labeled as a masculine perfume. I'm not going to dispute it as I understand most women might not necessarily enjoy this wild ride. I, however, do, and according to my husband it smells better on me than it is on him. Men who enjoy a blend of notes such as the one listed here (Bergamot, Black Pepper, Scotch Pine, Malt Whiskey, Cigar, Heather, Douglas Fir, Rubber, Worn Leather, Highland Mud, Burnt Rubber, Peat Fire and White Truffle) would be quite happy with this dirty little creature.
I saw Alan Cumming on stage in the unorthodox Broadway adaptation of Threepenny Opera in 2006. Here's a clip I found of him and Cyndi Lauper who played Jenny:
2nd Cumming ($69, 15ml perfume absolute) by CB I Hate Perfume is sold on cbihateperfume.com and in the Williamsburg, Brooklyn, gallery. Samples are available for purchase ($15, 2ml). All profits from this scent are donated to various charities.
Photos: alancumming.com
