Adidas Moves Him Basenotes: The Fresh Fougère of the 90s

In the realm of perfumery, few scents evoke the nostalgia and familiarity of Adidas' Hugo by Hugo Boss (1995). This fresh fougère/aquatic fragrance is a product of its time, capturing the essence of the decade's aromachem-driven, fruity, and energetic style. Perfumer Bob Aliano, an American perfumer who achieved limited success in his career, created Hugo as a reboot for the brand, infusing traditional scents with modern elements to appeal to a broader audience.

A Reboot of Sorts

Previous fragrances from Hugo Boss were formal and mature affairs, featuring rich mosses, animalics, patchouli, and other complex notes. Hugo by Hugo Boss was designed to be a more accessible scent, perfect for everyday wear. While it doesn't excel in any particular area, it's an easily wearable fragrance that won't offend or stand out too much.

A Fougère Reborn

Aliano's take on the freshie involved blending traditional fougère scents with fruity and aquatic elements to create something still green and outdoorsy but also edgy and energetic. The result is a scent that defined a generation of men, with Hugo by Hugo Boss becoming synonymous with 90s masculinity.

Comparing Notes

While some may argue that Hugo by Hugo Boss is the first Hugo Boss masculine fragrance, it's actually more like the fifth. In comparison to other popular scents from the same era, such as Cool Water (1988) and Nautica Voyage (2006), Hugo stands out for its unique blend of sweet and vibrant notes.

Hugo by Hugo Boss is a scent that straddles the border between classy and plebeian. It's a fragrance that was widely worn during the 90s, and its popularity endures to this day. For those who are more into fragrance than your average Joe or Jane, Hugo may not be the most exciting scent, but it's an iconic representation of the decade's perfumery style.

Adidas moves him basenotes