You know that feeling when a party is just starting to get good? Not the stiff, corporate mixer type of party, but the kind where someone just popped a bottle of vintage champagne, the music is loud enough to vibrate in your chest, and the people in the room actually have something interesting to say. That’s the exact energy Etienne de Swardt was chasing when he launched Etat Libre d’Orange Remarkable People. It’s a fragrance that basically refuses to take itself seriously while being, paradoxically, one of the most well-constructed citrus-gourmands on the market.
Perfume is usually sold on the idea of being "remarkable" through exclusivity or sheer price tag. You’ve seen the ads—a brooding model on a cliffside, maybe some gold leaf. But Etat Libre d’Orange (ELDO) has always been the "punk rock" house of the fragrance world. They’re the ones who gave us Secretions Magnifiques (don't Google the notes if you have a weak stomach) and Fat Electrician. So, when they released Remarkable People in 2015, fans were actually a bit confused. It was... wearable? It was cheerful? It didn't smell like a crime scene?
Honestly, it’s the most "crowd-pleasing" thing they’ve ever done, but it keeps that weird, subversive ELDO DNA tucked just under the surface. It celebrates the nobodies who are actually somebodies. The "un-celebrities." It’s a scent for the person who doesn’t need a red carpet to feel like the main character.
What Does Remarkable People Actually Smell Like?
Let’s get the "official" stuff out of the way first. If you look at the pyramid, you’re seeing grapefruit, champagne, cardamom, jasmine, curry tree, and labdanum. Sounds like a spice cabinet had a fight with a brunch menu, right?
But here’s the reality. The second you spray Etat Libre d’Orange Remarkable People, you get hit with this explosive, fizzy grapefruit. It’s not a realistic, bitter rind smell. It’s more like a neon-bright, sparkling soda. That’s the champagne accord working its magic. It has this "lift" that most citrus scents lack. It feels carbonated. You can almost feel the bubbles hitting your nose.
Then comes the weird part. The curry tree note.
Now, don't panic. You aren't going to smell like a spicy stew. The curry leaf here isn't about the flavor; it’s about a specific kind of vegetal, nutty warmth. It grounds the sugar. Without it, this would just be another fruity floral that belongs in a mall. With it? It becomes something sophisticated. It’s the difference between a cheap soda and a craft cocktail. The dry down settles into a soft, skin-like sandalwood and lorenox—which is basically a fancy synthetic molecule that smells like clean wood and leather.
The Myth of the "Easy" Scent
A lot of fragrance snobs dismiss Remarkable People because it’s "easy." They think if a perfume isn't challenging your nose or making you smell like a damp basement in 14th-century France, it isn't "niche."
That’s a boring way to look at art.
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Creating a scent that feels light but lasts eight hours is technically difficult. Most citrus scents vanish in thirty minutes. Poof. Gone. But because of that heavy labdanum and sandalwood base, this one sticks. It’s a "remarkable" technical feat to keep that effervescence alive through the afternoon. It’s basically a high-wire act.
I’ve worn this to weddings, and I’ve worn it to buy groceries. It fits both. That’s the versatility. Most people who buy it are looking for an "office-safe" scent that still has a personality. You won't offend the person in the cubicle next to you, but if they lean in, they’re going to ask what you’re wearing because it doesn't smell like the usual blue-bottled stuff everyone else buys at the department store.
Why the "Un-Celebrity" Concept Matters
Etienne de Swardt, the founder of ELDO, is a bit of a philosopher. He’s gone on record saying that the brand is about "liberation." They want to free perfume from the marketing cliches.
The story behind Etat Libre d’Orange Remarkable People is about the "warriors of the everyday." It’s dedicated to the people who aren't famous but should be. The poets, the baristas, the scientists, the weirdos. It’s a very 2020s sentiment, even though it came out years earlier. We’re all tired of the hyper-polished influencer aesthetic. We want something real.
There’s an irony in naming a perfume "Remarkable People" and then making it smell like a party. It suggests that the most remarkable thing you can be is someone who knows how to have a good time without permission.
Breaking Down the Longevity
If we're being totally honest, skin chemistry plays a massive role here. On some people, the cardamom takes over, and it becomes a spicy, warm skin scent within two hours. On others (the lucky ones), that champagne pop stays front and center for the duration.
- Longevity: Solid 6-8 hours.
- Sillage: Moderate. People will smell you when you walk by, but you won't clear a room.
- Gender: Completely unisex. It leans neither "barbershop" nor "boudoir."
How to Wear It (Without Looking Like You're Trying Too Hard)
The mistake people make with ELDO scents is over-spraying. Because Remarkable People starts off so bright and airy, you might be tempted to go for six or seven sprays. Don't.
Two on the neck, one on the wrist. That’s plenty.
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The heat of your skin is what wakes up that curry tree and black pepper. If you overdo it, the spice can get a little cloying in the summer heat. This is actually a fantastic "transitional" fragrance. It works in the spring when the air is still crisp, and it works in the fall when you want something to remind you of the sun.
Is it worth the price? That’s the big question. A 100ml bottle will set you back around $160 USD (though prices fluctuate depending on the retailer). Compared to brands like Creed or Tom Ford, it’s a steal. Compared to a bottle of Designer Brand X? It’s an investment.
But you’re paying for the composition. You’re paying for a scent that isn't being worn by every third person on the subway.
Common Misconceptions and Comparisons
People often compare Remarkable People to Invitation to V by various houses or even some of the lighter Jo Malone offerings. That’s a mistake. Jo Malone is linear—what you smell at the start is what you get at the end. Remarkable People is a shapeshifter.
Another misconception? That it’s a "sweet" perfume.
While it has a fruity opening, the dry down is surprisingly dry. It’s "Brut" champagne, not "Doux." There’s zero vanilla here. No marshmallow. No caramel. If you’re looking for a sugar bomb, go buy Pink Sugar or something from Ariana Grande. This is for the adults in the room who still remember how to stay out past midnight.
Technical Details You Might Care About
If you're into the chemistry, the use of Lorenox is the secret sauce. Created by Mane (the flavor and fragrance giant), Lorenox is a molecule that mimics wood, amber, and leather facets. It provides a "velvet" texture to the base.
Then there’s the Jasmine Neo Jungle Essence. This isn't your grandma’s powdery jasmine. The "Jungle Essence" extraction method uses supercritical $CO_2$ to pull a scent that is much truer to the living flower. It smells green, slightly waxy, and very fresh.
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Actionable Steps for the Fragrance Curious
If you're sitting there wondering if you should blind-buy this, here is the honest truth: don't blind-buy anything from Etat Libre d’Orange. They are a "vibe" brand, and vibes are subjective.
1. Get the Discovery Set.
ELDO sells a "Discovery Secret" kit that usually includes 20 samples. It’s one of the best values in the perfume world. Remarkable People is almost always in there.
2. Test on Skin, Not Paper.
The champagne accord needs body heat to "fizz." If you spray it on a paper blotter at a store, it’s going to smell like flat grapefruit juice. Give it twenty minutes on your wrist before you make a judgment.
3. Layering Potential.
If you find it a bit too "happy," try layering it over something woody or even a bit "dirty" like a light patchouli oil. It adds a layer of grit that makes the champagne pop even harder.
4. Check the Batch.
While ELDO hasn't had the massive reformulation scandals that some other houses have, it’s always worth checking the production date. Newer bottles are still high quality, but the older "red cap" versions are highly prized by collectors for having a bit more "funk" in the base.
At the end of the day, wearing Etat Libre d’Orange Remarkable People is a statement. It says you’re aware of the rules of "fine perfumery," but you’re bored by them. You want to smell good, sure. But you also want to smell like a celebration that hasn't ended yet.
For those ready to move beyond the generic "blue" scents and the heavy, oud-soaked "beast mode" fragrances that dominate the market, this is your exit ramp. It’s bright, it’s weird, and it’s genuinely fun to wear. Just remember that the most remarkable thing about the scent is how it makes you feel—which is usually like you’re the most interesting person in whatever room you happen to be standing in.