Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1540685
NOTES FASHION By Steven Hempel I n the lexicon of modern perfumery, few words conjure as much intrigue — and divisiveness — as aldehyde. For some, it's the powdery elegance of a bygone era; for others, it's the olfactive equivalent of clean white light: sharp, bright, almost sterile. When it comes to Le Labo's Aldehyde 44, that brightness isn't just embraced — it's celebrated. But let's begin with what sets this fragrance apart before a single note hits the skin: location. Aldehyde 44 is only available in Dallas. Not online. Not at international counters. Just one city, one store. It's part of Le Labo's Exclusive Collection of scents that are only available in certain cities, joining previous releases including Osmanthus 19 (Kyoto), Coriandre 39 (Mexico City), Citron 28 (Seoul), and Poivre 23 (London). In an age of instant Aldehyde 44 Clean, Complicated, and Only in Dallas accessibility, that kind of restraint feels radical — and, frankly, refreshing. Dallas' scent is a study in structure. It opens with a shimmering aldehyde burst — cool, metallic, clean to the point of abstraction. It feels architectural, like entering a room flooded with morning light. Then, almost imperceptibly, the mood shifts. Narcissus. Jasmine. Tuberose. All absolutes. All in full bloom. The floral core doesn't soften the edges — it deepens them. There's a narcotic richness here that hums beneath the aldehydic clarity, pulling you in not with sweetness, but with sophistication. As it dries down, Aldehyde 44 grounds itself in a base of musk and vanilla — but don't expect comfort in the traditional sense. The musk is sheer, almost transparent. The vanilla? Barely there. These aren't notes for warmth, but for form. They give shape to the composition without altering its tone. The result is a fragrance that feels ... intellectual. Clean, but not simple. Feminine, but not soft. It's a perfume that refuses to pander. And maybe that's why it lives in Dallas — a city often underestimated, like this scent, but full of unexpected modernity and edge. Aldehyde 44 doesn't try to charm you. It challenges you to pay attention. Time Reimagined L ouis Vuitton keeps redefining time. In a bold yet refined expression of craftsmanship, the maison unveils its latest timepiece: the Louis Vuitton Monterrey, a mechanical watch that brings the past to the present in striking clarity. Engineered at La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, this creation is as much a celebration of horological artistry as it is a declaration of modernity. At its core is the LFTMA01.02 automatic movement, a high-precision caliber developed entirely in-house. You won't see it behind the closed caseback — but that's the point. The beauty here lies in discretion. Inside, the details are exquisite: a circular-grained main plate, sandblasted bridges, and edges finished with micro- sandblasting. These subtle textures aren't for show — they're about mastery of craft. And just beneath the surface lies a symbol of that mastery: the poinçon LFT, a hidden mark of excellence unique to Louis Vuitton's watchmaking division. The rotor is crafted in 18K rose gold and carved with elegant V-notches, echoing the iconic LV Monogram in motion. Add to that the brilliance of colorless sapphires, and the movement feels both classic and cutting-edge — a machine dressed in modern elegance. With 28,800 vibrations per hour and a 45-hour power reserve, it's built to keep up with life, wherever it takes you. But this watch doesn't stop at performance: It's steeped in design codes pulled from Louis Vuitton's rich archives. Fans of the 1988 LV I and LV II will recognize the signatures: the smooth, pebble-like case, the crown at 12 o'clock, and the leather strap attachment that's as distinctive now as it was then. What's new is how these features are reimagined — subtler, sharper, more sculptural. The white enamel dial adds a layer of quiet drama. It doesn't shout for attention but has depth, tone, and warmth. Like everything else about this watch, it's made to last — aesthetically, emotionally, and mechanically. In the crowded world of haute horology, Louis Vuitton's latest stands apart by staying true to its roots. It's a mechanical heart with a soul, crafted for those who understand that the best timepieces don't just tell time — they tell a story. louisvuitton.com. 72