The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Green Contemporary arrived in 2022 as a men's fragrance with Elise Bénat credited as its perfumer. Its brief, as the name suggests, is a contemporary study in green: citrus brightness, aromatic freshness, and an earthy finish. Bergamot and elemi establish a polished opening, while peppermint and lavender bring the composition into cleaner, more energetic territory. Haitian vetiver, Clearwood™, and patchouli then turn that brightness toward something grounded and textured. The result feels less like a single green accord than a negotiation between neatness and nature, dressed in a visual language of color, clarity, and impact.
The composition works because its green notes don't behave alike. Bergamot supplies a familiar citrus shine, while elemi adds a bright resinous snap that keeps the opening from collapsing into a generic cologne template. Lavender keeps the middle soft enough to wear, offering a powdery floral cushion that rounds the sharper aromatics. The base pulls the scent downward with Haitian vetiver and patchouli, both of which contribute a darker, more mineral quality. Clearwood™ enters here with a clean, modern woodiness that brightens what would otherwise read as dense.
The evolution
The opening is all clean edges and quick energy. Bergamot gives the first impression a bright, polished lift, while elemi adds a translucent, resinous brightness that keeps it from becoming ordinary citrus. As the scent settles, peppermint moves into focus beside lavender. That middle phase is cooler and more aromatic, with the lavender rounding the sharper mint edge. Then Haitian vetiver, Clearwood™, and patchouli change the temperature of the composition. The drydown is woody, earthy, and slightly dark, as if the bright green surface has been brushed over soil. As the hours pass, the citrus brightness recedes almost entirely, and the composition settles into a quieter register where vetiver and patchouli do most of the talking. Clearwood™ keeps the base from feeling too heavy, lending a smoother, almost creamy quality to the woods.
Cultural impact
Green Contemporary fits the conversation around modern men's fragrance through a composition that pairs clean citrus brightness with earthy woods. Its appeal sits in the tension between the dressed-up opening and the more grounded drydown, a combination that feels suited to someone who wants freshness without losing depth. The fragrance reads as a study in contrasts: the polished, almost architectural opening gives way to a softer herbal middle, which then resolves into a darker, more mineral base.
The House
Enrico CoveriEnrico Coveri is an Italian fashion house that translated its bold chromatic design language into fragrance. The brand emerged from the world of haute couture sequin dresses, creating perfumes that echo the theatrical color sensibility of its runway collections. Founded by designer Enrico Coveri, the house built its identity around brightness, metallic accents, and unapologetic glamour. In fragrance, this translates to sparkling aldehydic florals, playful fruity compositions, and woody Orientals that carry the same effervescent energy as the fashion. The brand maintains an active presence in both categories, with recent releases in 2024 under the Contemporary Girl label continuing its playful approach to accessible luxury scent.
The Creator
Elise BénatElise favors natural extracts that carry a strong sense of place. Myrtle, seaweed accord, pink pepper and Himalayan rhododendron appear repeatedly in her work, each treated with meticulous layering.
