A Smell, A Sight, A Sculptural Trash Can: Paris, Day One

Today, I arrived in Paris. This morning? This morning was soft, like the inside of a baguette. Checked into my Le Marais sanctuary, took a nap that lasted both 15 minutes and a millennium. Then I began to roam—a flâneur with no map, just a nose and a notebook.

The air was alive with a chaos of smells: aldehydes skipping like schoolchildren, buttery clouds, milky murmurs. Paris smelt of eggshell blue. Undertones brewed in the corners—espresso whispers, chocolate shadows, the spectral exhale of cigarettes, cigars curling their fingers toward dusk. Evening dropped its sepia-toned curtain.

A Pierre Cardin storefront caught my eye—a structure of dreams I need to revisit. But first, perfume. Jovoy was an altar to olfactory gods, and I knelt. Khanjar by Oman Luxury—still as arresting as the first time in London, a scent so sharp it slices memory. From there to Dover Street Parfums Market, a pocket of whimsy where I stumbled upon Thumbsucker by Stora Skuggan. It’s Shocking by Schiaparelli reincarnated, or perhaps reanimated—a ghost wearing lipstick. I loved it. I loved it the way you love a mistake.

Serge Lutens was next, all science fiction and apothecary chic. Bottles like laboratory beacons, thin and tall, vessels of future potions. Their discovery set: a story in every vial.

Hunger set in—not a Parisian hunger but something primal. Grocery store simplicity called: baguette, cheese, cured meats. Could I wait until I got home to start eating? Could I hell. The baguette was an art form in itself, torn apart like my notebook pages.

Somewhere in this first day's haze, I wandered to the Louvre's pyramid—a shard of light in the city’s ribcage. But more captivating? The trash receptacles. Oh, the trash receptacles! Wire sculptures holding plastic bags like offerings to an urban god. One was bent, mangled, kissed by a motorbike. Its twisted form was sublime, a swoop of accidental genius. I drew it in my journal, and that, my dear readers, is my masterpiece of the day.

Trash cans as art. Perfumes as poetry. Bread as the divine. Day one in Paris was everything and nothing at once.

The Polarizing Power of Secretions Magnifiques

Fragrance House: Etat Libre d'Orange
Nose: Antoine Lie

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Few fragrances have stirred the pot quite like Secretions Magnifiques. Billed as an olfactory exploration of intimacy, body fluids, and raw human sensuality, this creation by Antoine Lie is an infamous piece of fragrance lore. I’d read countless reviews—both horrified and enamored—before finally getting my own nose on it. Intrigued by the divisive chatter, I needed to experience this "art" firsthand. Spoiler alert: it didn’t disappoint.

The Encounter

I discovered this polarizing scent at New London Pharmacy, a hidden gem that surprised me with its extensive niche fragrance collection. The enthusiastic woman behind the counter was quick to share her thoughts on Secretions Magnifiques, retrieving it from the shelf with arms extended as if handling a live grenade. Her reaction to the test strip—a subtle recoil, followed by a nervous nose adjustment—only amplified my anticipation.

The first sniff? Intense, shocking, and wholly unique. Metallic, salty, milky, and slightly green, the opening conjures seaweed-strewn shores and something deeply animalic. It's neither good nor bad, feminine nor masculine—it simply is. Naturally, I had to take the plunge and spray it on my skin. After all, fragrances live their fullest lives on warm, human flesh.

On Skin: The Evolution

The immediate hit on my arm was a cocktail of sea spray, warm skin, and a metallic tang—like the taste of a nicked lip or the lingering scent of salty ocean air. As it settled, the fragrance warmed into something softer, sweeter even. On me, the mid-development brought hints of milkiness and wood, turning it into a surprisingly wearable second-skin scent. It’s as if you’ve spent the morning rolling in sand under the sun with someone special, their warmth lingering on your skin.

When I met a friend later, the dry-down had already shifted to a woody, creamy accord. She smelled my arm and remarked, "It’s like people sitting around a warm, chlorine pool, with the body heat rising and mixing with the air." That’s the magic of Secretions Magnifiques: it’s weirdly familiar yet utterly disorienting. It invites interpretations as varied as the people experiencing it.

The Artistry

This isn’t a fragrance for those who believe perfume’s sole purpose is to “smell nice.” It’s for the adventurous—those who seek to provoke conversation, challenge norms, and redefine what it means to wear scent. Antoine Lie has crafted an olfactory narrative that’s as much performance art as it is perfume. Its ability to mimic the intimate smell of human closeness, sweat, and even bodily fluids is both uncomfortable and comforting.

Layering Potential

Secretions Magnifiques would shine as a layering scent. Pair it with something smoky to amplify its warmth, or add a floral fragrance for contrast. Its chameleon-like quality makes it a versatile tool in the hands of a creative wearer.

Final Thoughts

Secretions Magnifiques is not for the faint of heart. It’s provocative, subversive, and unapologetically human. But therein lies its beauty. It’s a scent that captures the raw essence of human interaction—the warmth of an embrace, the salt of the sea, the metallic bite of life’s imperfections. For those bold enough to wear it, it’s a fragrance that turns heads, raises questions, and invites touch.

Would I wear it daily? Probably not. But do I admire its audacity and the masterful hand of Antoine Lie? Absolutely. If you’re a fragrance enthusiast who believes perfume can transcend mere scent and venture into the realm of art, this one deserves a spot in your collection.

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Let me know if you’ve tried Secretions Magnifiques or if there’s a similarly divisive fragrance you’d recommend I explore. Smell on!

Adrian Jimenez: Fatherhood, Fashion, and Future Plans

Anthony Amadeo chats with Adrian Jimenez about life as a dad, Vogue memories, and staying creative.

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AA: Let’s take it back to our first shoot…

It was an absolute blizzard in New York City. I honestly didn’t think you’d make it, and not only did you show up, but you were five minutes early—after traveling all the way from Philly. What was going through your head on that journey? What made you commit to showing up that day?

AJ: Haha! Yeah man, I remember that. An iconic day in Brooklyn, definitely a memorable first impression. To be fair I was staying in the east village at the time with a friend and only had to take the L train over, but I knew with the non stop snow I would have to give myself some extra time. I was still pretty new on the scene and extremely appreciative of any opportunity, plus I had seen your work and really liked your style. I really love extremely weather events like that, I think there’s an energy to it, and once I finally made it to your spot it was well worth hiking in the snow.

AA: Over the years, we’ve shot so many times and have created hundreds of images together.

You’ve always been one of the easiest models I’ve ever worked with—there’s a natural trust that makes everything feel effortless. From your side, what has made our shoots special or memorable for you?

AJ: First of all, thanks man, you’re an easy photographer to work with too and I think it all comes from being comfortable taking chances, not being afraid to look stupid, and for me it was trusting your creative process. I remember seeing cool images on your profile, and once we started shooting it was almost like you were documenting a conversation. The spaces we’ve shot in have also helped because the artistic and chaotic energy of your decoration style helps to set a tone.

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AA: One of the highlights of your journey was being featured in Vogue Italia.

That’s such a moment! Can you talk about how that opportunity came about, what the experience was like, and what it felt like to see yourself in such an iconic publication?

AJ: Vogue Italia may have been the very first time I went through a casting and got booked. It set an expectation in my mind that really hasn’t been reached again hahah! I remember casting with Luigi and Iango and just telling myself it was normal and I deserved to be there and being fully ready to commit to their artistic vision. The shoot itself was amazing because first of all, we were at a beautiful property and there were also a bunch of other models there. Mica was the main model they were shooting but I remember hanging out and vibing with the other models, trying to listen to their stories of being on sets and finding out as much as I could about the industry. One thing I remember vividly is everyone was getting styled with Louis Vuitton, not fully clothed but elements here and there, until they got to me and were like, yeah he’s fine how he is. So my shots in the publication, even though I’m styled in Louis Vuitton, are really just but naked draped on a beautiful girl.

AA: I know you’ve got a lot happening lately—especially becoming a new dad.

First of all, congrats! How has fatherhood been treating you? How are you balancing creative work, life, and being a dad? And what keeps you motivated these days?

AJ: Thank you! I’m blessed to have a beautiful son and in these short few months the situation keeps changing and evolving. One way I’ve been describing it is that even with how wildly inconvenient it is to bring a new baby in to this world, it is still easily the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Coincidentally as soon as he was born I started getting booked more than ever before. It’s heartbreaking leaving my wife and baby whenever I get booked out of town and the first time I had to leave I cried in the Uber on the way to the airport, but its all part of the hustle and at this point in our lives the best thing I can do for my family is to provide so that my wife can stay home with the baby.

Now 7 months in to it, the situation is changing where I feel like I can pop up to the city to start shooting again. I’d like to start building my portfolio out, and developing myself creatively in the modeling world again.

AA: Scent can transport us to moments and memories—just like a photograph.

If your life or creative journey had a scent, what do you imagine it would smell like? Are there any specific smells tied to moments that you’ll always carry with you?

AJ: Oh wow, yeah absolutely, that here are a few scents that put me right back in to a moment. If I had to accept a scent for my creative journey I think it would predominantly be something outdoorsy, maybe a little woody like pine or charcoal from a fire, I think there would be an element of something refined like leather that would encapsulate the energy of the city, and maybe something like a jasmine or a touch of something floral to tie in the elements of complete vulnerability that comes with doing something so public and creative.

If I ever walk in to the One Hotel in Brooklyn I’m reminded of the shoot I was a part of there. Certain brands of moisturizers and hair products bring me back to moments on sets. Parliment lites remind me of Christmas thanks to my aunt and uncles.

AA: You always seem to be up to something new...

What are you up to right now? Are you working on anything exciting that we should know about—projects, creative pursuits, or life changes?

AJ: Recently in my professional career I’ve been lucky to have a mother agent that has placed me in some great markets. I love going to LA so I’ll probably be looking to spend some time out there to see if I can get anything cooking. Even before that I’ll probably be shooting some new portfolio images, but this last year has been so great and unpredictable and it makes me feel like as long I keep taking care of my health and maintain the relationships I’ve built, that opportunities should keep presenting themselves.

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BONUS!

Did you know there’s now a puzzle featuring Adrian Jimenez? Yes, you read that right—a stunning and seriously challenging puzzle of one of our most striking images together. Perfect for hours of entertainment, frustration, and eventual triumph. Think you’ve got what it takes to piece together the artistry? It’s available for purchase now—don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind keepsake!

Portrait of Adrian

$45.00

AA: To wrap things up…

Where can everyone keep up with you? Anything you want to share or pitch that’s coming up next?

AJ: Right now I just have my Instagram page running @adrianwjmnz I haven’t posted to my grid in ages but you can follow along the day to day in the stories. I’ve been doing general contracting work in and around Philly and I like to post artistic vignettes and little still life’s of the day to day work from the beautiful old homes I’m based in. Every once in a while I’ll get booked for a modeling job and in my manic attempt to cope with leaving my family for a few days I’ll usually tap in to a pretty fun and interactive part of my brain. If you’re really obsessed and want to see what I do while rehabbing properties we do actually have a YouTube channel @greenbuildingnetwork where the crew and I provide lightly comedic infotainment on building and renovations! But other than that hopefully I’ll have some new work coming soon!

Threads of Creativity: Vickie Bunn in Conversation

From poetic words to napkin doodles, a journey through inspiration and artistry with Anthony Amadeo.

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AA:  Vickie! We’ve known each other for 15 years now—how wild is that?

Thinking back to Santa Barbara and LA, we’ve shared so many good times (and maybe even better meals!). What’s a favorite memory you have from our LA days?

VB: Hi my love!!! I miss you dearly and am immensely proud of the artist you’ve evolved into. To reminisce with you and backtrack 15+ years- I’d say I’m often reminded of our echo park, Los Angeles lassens trips, eating + shopping it off on melrose, and last but not least- all those late night Mexican meals we’ve had in silver lake haha.

AA: You’re one of the most creative energy filled person I know, and now you’re raising little creatives of your own.

I’ve seen Ollie on Instagram—he seems like a natural. How do you encourage creativity in your kids? Are they teaching you anything about creativity?

VB: For one- Ollie can’t help himself; he’s got the artist temperament at three years old and his paintings are deep; they are extremely reminiscent of Cy Twombly and Basquiat’s work. He is also into photography so he’s been taking abstract photos of everything and everyone with his new dinosaur camera.

He’s taught me to continue my conceptual work and to find my creative medium within everyday rituals.

AA: Let’s talk about your poetry.

I’d love to see more of it out in the world! What inspires you to write? Do you have a favorite poem you’ve written—or better yet, could you write one for us right now?

VB: Sylvia Plath is my favorite poet; along with Richard Brautigan. Their shared objective may be the fact that it could be ever so slightly dark but always remains conceptual. I know i am reiterating that word but that word means everything to me; i don’t necessarily care about needing my creative medium to be shared with the world; but it organically means life to me to be able to express it and have it tangible on pen and paper.  Here is one that means quite a bit to me; written postpartum with my son, Ollie.

AA: You’ve made a new life in Nashville.

How has the creative energy of Nashville inspired or changed you? Is there something about the city that feels like home in a way LA didn’t?

VB: Certainly so. Nashville is a tiny city but the creative energy- specifically around country music is intensely deep. It’s the Mecca of country music and the history ; even just around my neighborhood (Johnny Cash’s former neighborhood)- is incredibly profound. It is still family friendly and truly a great place for young developing brains to thrive in.

AA: Let’s get a little interactive.

I want you and Ollie to each grab a napkin (yes, a literal napkin) and doodle something—whatever comes to mind. Then snap a quick pic and send it over. We’ll include both your doodles in the interview for everyone to see. I bet Ollie’s will steal the show!

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A little napkin drawing from Oli, the natural born artist

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AA: You’re Korean, and your culture is such a beautiful part of who you are.

How has being Korean influenced your creativity or the way you see the world? Is there a tradition or memory that feels especially meaningful to you, creatively or otherwise?

VB: Being Korean-American has truly shaped so much of my childhood and being the most authentic version of myself. Korean people are extremely intelligent and strong-willed; that has never left me. However, all of my creative influences (art, film, music) are all western. I let it consume me; i feel it and breathe it in- then i let it all go; breathe it out and become a better; nuanced version of myself each passing day.

AA: To wrap it up, where can everyone keep up with you and your work?

Do you have anything creative in the works—poetry, art, or otherwise—that you’d like to share?

VB: To be brutally honest- my children are toddlers and i hardly am able to make time for daily rituals that come with the responsibility of being a wife and mother. On the other hand; i always indeed find a time to be creative; whether it is free-writing, taking photos, and or cooking/baking with my children. There is no excuse in not being able to find creativity within your daily life if you truly are a creative being.