Bond No.9's Andy Warhol Union Square

The nice folks at edgy downtown perfumery Bond No.9 are always sending me fun product updates in the mail and I love getting their samples too! Their new Andy Warhol series scent is coming out on March 1st and it's called Union Square. The second of their Warhol collectibles is named for the environs of the two Union Square studios that the artist and his crew successively occupied during 1968-1984—his years of notoriety. It was at these downtown locations Warhol created the Mao paintings, the commissioned portraits of the rich and famous, and his portfolio of 10 Flowers screen prints - same images that adorn it's new bottle.

Let’s start with the scent itself. While most floral fragrances just hint at cool, and vice-versa, this one is an ambi-sexual, daringly balanced mix of sweet and cool. Sometimes the gentle scent of lily of the valley seems about to prevail, looped together with blue freesia, golden amber, and animal musk to enhance its sensuality. At other times, crunchy green-stem notes and white birch wood are poised to turn this scent into one of pure, clean energy. But then the sweetness and the coolness merge, and stay merged.

Available in 100 ml and 50ml flacons, Andy Warhol Union Square will be available at Bond No. 9’s four New York boutiques, through their site and at Saks Fifth Avenue nationwide. Prices range from US$135.00 to US$195.00 depending on size. And for the serious collector who desires the complete Warhol series there is also a portfolio of ten different bottles. They are meant to be viewed as one, as Warhol intended for his Flowers. Suggested retail price: US$1,500.00 for ten 100ml bottles.

Warhol once said “Another way to take up more space is with perfume. I really love wearing perfume!”