Fragrance Review: Fat Electrician Semi-Modern Vetiver by État Libre d’Orange

When it comes to the wide world of fragrances, the name has to grab you. Similar to cars, the name has to evoke something; an emotion, drive, urge… For every Lamborghini Diablo or Dodge Charger, there's a Paco Rabanne 1 Million or a Versace Eros.

Just hearing the names brings to mind visions of luxury, class, and sophistication. So imagine, for a second, a fragrance called Fat Electrician.

Fat Electrician. What comes to mind when you hear the words "fat electrician"? Probably a sweaty overweight gent donning a yellow hardhat, a stained white shirt, blue jeans, a tool belt, and big clunky work boots. Not the most elegant vision. This is where the similarities between the name and the fragrance end. 

Who Is Behind It? 

Fat Electrician was created in 2009 by renowned perfumer Antoine Maisondieu, who worked on other popular fragrances including Burberry London, Giorgio Armani Code, and Tom Ford Velvet Orchid. His full catalogue of works is listed here

The Story Of The Fat Electrician: 

The inspiration behind Fat Electrician is the concept of fleeting beauty. The story goes:

"His beauty would have been his greatest asset. One imagines he was raised in the big air of Texas, his soft skin scrubbed by ears of wheat, his eyelashes curled by grappling with grace against a blinding sun. A Midnight Cowboy lost on city asphalt.

A fisherman without a line, he was made to be hooked by others, to believe in his fate without knowing it, to wreak havoc and forget it over time. Youth for women-of-a-certain-age, stock for late-night parties, a partner to accompany the wealthy of Palm Beach on nature walks, his splendor is consumed in the service of others.

Now, a Fat Electrician in New Jersey, his talent depleted in his sexual decline. This is the curse of beauty — it doesn't last."

          - From État Libre d'Orange's product page, found here

A sense of by-gone days, rose-tinted nostalgia, and memento mori all wrapped up in a 50ml bottle. Onto the review:

Packaging: 

The bottle itself is quite plain: a transparent, thick, rectangular vessel with a large silver cap and a sticker on the front that covers two sides of the bottle. Like most ELDO fragrances, there are no gimmicks or crazy designs. What you see is what you get.  

Official Notes By État Libre d'Orange:

Top notes: Black pepper and elemi resin

Middle notes: Cedarwood and vetiver

Base notes: Myrrh, opoponax, and vanilla

Opening: 

Considered a woody oriental fragrance, Fat Electrician opens with a blend of black pepper, elemi resin (which comes from the elemi tree, commonly found in the Philippines, and has a peppery, woodsy scent with a slight lemony note) and incense.

Any harshness in the opening quickly dissipates, unveiling the complexity that lies beneath. 

Development:

Vetiver takes centre stage and immediately begins to play well with sweet chestnut and vanilla. Typically a green, earthy scent, the vetiver in this fragrance is smoother and richer than other vetiver-centric colognes.

A light oily olive scent enters the mix as well, and while it isn't mentioned anywhere in the note breakdown, it adds an extra layer of gourmand to the scent. There's still a slight spice that lingers but doesn't interfere with any of the other notes.

Drydown: 

As the fragrance ages on the skin, the incense notes begin to ramp up in intensity. The combination of myrrh and opoponax resins offers a warm, spicy blend to the vetiver and vanilla. The olive note is still present, but it sits behind the other notes.

A sweet, spicy mix with woodsy undertones, Fat Electrician kicks its dirty boots off after a long day and relaxes. Its work here is done.  

Performance: 

The atomizer on the bottle sprays a generous amount of fragrance. With three sprays to the neck and upper chest, the fragrance can be smelled at arm's length. The projection dies down to a skin scent after about two hours and begins to dissipate at around the 5-hour mark. At around 6 hours it's nearly gone.  

When To Wear Fat Electrician:

With spicy, woodsy notes like the ones found in Fat Electrician, this fragrance should be reserved for cooler months. There's a certain vintage appeal to it that lets you imagine wearing a thick wool sweater and sipping a spiced tea in front of a fireplace while looking out the window while snow falls.

Since this may be a polarizing scent, avoid wearing it in professional environments like the office or classrooms. Some may not find it appealing. Instead, save it for dates, a night on the town, or occasions when you want to stand out from the crowd.

Although it's considered a unisex fragrance, Fat Electrician does lean more masculine. That being said, if you like it, wear it! 

Who Is This Fragrance For? 

This fragrance contains some complex scent notes that may not appeal to younger gentlemen or those who are in the early stages of their fragrance journey. While it does contain some sweet notes, it's not the same kind of sweetness you would find in heavy hitters like Versace Eros or anything from Jean Paul Gaultier.

This fragrance is better suited for someone who has the charisma to pull off a unique and compelling scent. Someone who can be rugged but also possesses a softer side, like the fragrance itself. 

Overall Thoughts On Fat Electrician: 

While the name isn't the most glamorous, Fat Electrician is a unique fragrance you won't find at many department stores or boutiques. It's a head-turning scent that is sure to garner attention and leave a lasting impression.

If you do want to try it, opt for a tester first before purchasing a full-sized bottle.

It isn't for everyone, but for those who want to be bold, give this one a try!

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