The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Malvinas, el pozo is Argentine perfumer Nina Lamaison's industrial statement, a fragrance that takes its name from the Spanish for "the well" - the shaft, the pit, the place where things descend beneath the surface. "El pozo" evokes the opening, the depth, the downward pull of extraction. The composition itself reflects this idea of going beneath the expected surface of fragrance. Rough textures emerge from the first moments, industrial materials given prominence in ways that mainstream perfumery rarely attempts. The result is a scent that feels unapologetically bold, using raw materials to create something with genuine weight and substance rather than polished elegance.
What makes this composition unusual is its refusal to smooth over the rough edges. Industrial materials like gasoline and earth are not whispers here, they are the architecture of the scent. The gasoline doesn't soften or retreat. The metallic quality maintains its presence without resolving into something safer. The leather arrives raw, animal, carrying the weight of authenticity rather than the polished abstraction found in most fragrances. These elements build together into a coherent whole that doesn't apologize for its uncompromising nature.
The evolution
The opening arrives like a workshop door swinging wide, leather and tobacco immediately present alongside a dampness that suggests mold without being literal about it. Around this foundation, a gasoline note begins to weave through the composition, threading between the leather like fuel soaking into concrete, adding an industrial edge that grounds the softer elements. Metallic notes provide lift throughout the development, that struck-match brightness that keeps the heavier materials from becoming oppressive. The earthy base emerges as the longest-lived element, settling close to the skin and providing a foundation that holds the other materials together. Throughout the wear, the fragrance maintains its character rather than transforming into something gentler.
Cultural impact
Malvinas, el pozo takes industrial materials at face value. The gasoline, earth, and metal notes are not subtle suggestions but actual materials rendered with clarity and purpose. This approach sets it apart in a market where "industrial" often serves as vague descriptor rather than literal characterization. The fragrance offers something for the wearer drawn to scents that carry weight and meaning beyond the pleasant.
The House
Nina LamaisonNina Lamaison is an independent fragrance house operating from Argentina, recognized for a bold and provocative approach to perfumery. The brand emerged in the early 2020s and quickly distinguished itself within the independent perfumery community, earning a finalist position at MAFFIA (Mercado Argentino de Formulaciones, Ingredientes y Afines), a significant industry event for the Argentine fragrance sector. Nina Lamaison's portfolio spans multiple years of output, with fragrances released between 2022 and 2024, suggesting an active and prolific creative practice. The house takes its name from the perfumer herself, positioning the brand as a deeply personal creative enterprise rather than a corporate venture. Each fragrance carries a distinctive character, often referenced through provocative or politically charged nomenclature that invites wearers to engage with scent as a form of narrative and cultural commentary.
The Creator
Nina LamaisonBased on the character of Liberté Totale, Lamaison's aesthetic leans toward bold, unapologetic construction. The fragrance's name suggests an assertive personality, and early wearers describe a composition that refuses to disappear or apologize for its presence.
