We fans of floral leather fragrances may be in the minority, but we’re passionate. There’s something about floral delicacy playing against rough, salty leather, and even better when the leather is softened by moss. If you love floral leathers, the Prism Parfums reissue of Geminesse won’t cause you to abandon your bottle of Chanel Cuir de Russie, but it’s worth a sniff — especially at its price. Geminesse’s floral heart flattens to soapy orange blossom for me, and this is where it parts ways with some of my favorite floral leathers. Wet, earthy violet tempers Pierre Balmain Jolie Madame’s leather. Fuller white flowers with a touch of rose gives Diorling body. Woody spice adds dimension to Lanvin Scandal. I like the soft dampness of a fuller floral heart, or the clear statement of a tart green leather. Geminesse tosses aside romance and attitude and lands on plain old soapy leather.

Besides the floral leathers I list here, I like Ann Gérard Cuir de Nacre, Balmain Miss Balmain, and Heeley Cuir de Pleine Fleur (and probably loads more I'm forgetting). Which floral leathers would you recommend to someone new to the genre? Of course, smelling vintage Geminesse is not the same as smelling Geminesse in 1974. (Are animalic notes like chili, where the heat builds over time?) The Prism Parfums release of Geminesse doesn’t smell like the vintage Geminesse I sampled. It’s less skanky and spicy, for one thing. But it’s still a floral leather.