Rock star designer John Varvatos has another hit on his hands.  After joining with Mexican born Givaudan Senior Perfumer, Rodrigo Flores-Roux; the two have created a portfolio of best selling fragrances under the John Varvatos banner. The latest addition is Dark Rebel. Earlier this year we attended the launch event held appropriately enough at the underground club Berlin in New York‘s East Village and we are happy to announce the fragrance is now available nationwide.

John Varvatos Dark Rebel Eau de Toilette is a fragrance that excites with its aroma. A mixture of woody scents, Jamaican rum, black leather and sweet tobacco blend together to give the fragrance its wild edge. Nutmeg essence provides a note of sweetness, while black pepper gives it some bite. This juxtaposition works well to encapsulate the fragrance’s sense of moody restlessness. Inspired by a risk-taking rebellious attitude, Dark Rebel is distinct and pure edge—tough, intoxicating and totally uninhibited. Dry woods, rich, rhythmic, intoxicating and sensual.

The new fragrance channels the primal, visceral spirit that stirs in all of us, and awakens our senses to all we cannot see. Dark Rebel surprises with its aroma: a mixture of familiar woodsy scents and unexpected sharpness and the unparalleled craftsmanship indicative of the John Varvatos brand.

The intimate soiree perfectly captured the fragrance’s vibe with rock band set up, underground edge, top models, and the presence of the man himself John Varvatos; along with whom he calls ‘my brother from another mother’ and the perfumer who has joined him in creating all the Varvatos fragrances,  Rodrigo Flores-Roux.

Along with sharing stories about the process developing his fragrances, Varvatos said, “Dark Rebel is the bad boy of our fragrance collection, and it’s the perfect compliment for the inner darkness within each of us. Its DNA exudes a timeless style and fearless attitude. The rich, masculine scent is alluring in its deviation; tough, rebellious, and unlike any fragrance you’ve experienced before. I like to think of Dark Rebel as the perfect rock song; it pulls you in with what you know, and then takes you to a whole new level.”

John Vavartos with Givaudan Senior Perfumer, Rodrigo Flores-Roux

According to Flores-Roux, “Dark Rebel has an enticing perplexity that isn’t found in the rest of the John Varvatos fragrance collection. The scent is unfamiliar, yet instantly intoxicating. The mixture of notes is devilish, and together they create something more adventurous and exciting than we’ve ever done before.”

A celebration of the unique John Varvatos DNA and signature fine quality, Dark Rebel is a unique take on classic rebelliousness that’s sure to ignite everyone’s inner bad boy.

THE FRAGRANCE

TOP NOTES: Rich and subtly sweet golden Jamaican rum and oak barrel aged Kentucky bourbon blend seamlessly with the warm spices of davana essence, clary sage enriched essence, and Ceylonese cardamom absolute for an exceptionally smooth, intoxicating opening.

HEART NOTES: The unusual personality of the exotic dragon skull flower is captured in textural, supple black leather and studded with the bite of black pepper, to reveal its edgy signature. Nutmeg and styrax absolute create an underlying sense of woody sweetness.

BACKGROUND: Akigala wood delivers depth and masculinity joining a comfortable background of Mexican blackened vanilla beans, cade essence, castoreum, balsawood, and dark, redolent tobacco leaves.

THE PACKAGING

Dark Rebel is housed in the signature John Varvatos flask bottle, now in a rich black glass with a tactile finish. It’s topped with an opulent black cap with a silver fleur-de-lis design. The bottle contrasts a sleek, modern design against a tough exterior.

John Varvatos Dark Rebel, Eau de Toilette (4.2 fl. oz. 125ml) $86, (1.4 fl. oz. 75ml) $66)
The fragrance is now available at Nordstrom.com

John Varvatos with HOMBRE Magazine’s Francisco Romeo