‘Another canvas, another surface for human expression’, is how Virgil Abloh described Off-White’s then upcoming first beauty line, Paperwork, before his untimely death in November 2021. Indeed, now released, the collection channels Abloh’s discipline-spanning, boundary-pushing vision into a beauty line that is characteristically cerebral and playful – fragrances are reframed as ‘solutions’, lipsticks and eyeshadows are replaced by expressionistic body stencils, and nail polishes place a focus on texture over hue.
Abloh developed the collection’s four fragrances in collaboration with perfumers Alexis Dadier, Jerome Epinette, and Sidonie Lancesseur, with each scent designed, according to Off-White, to ‘transmit a palpable vibe’.
Solution No.1 is a blend of ho wood, sand accord, and patchouli that is inspired by the continuous journey of the world’s sand, as it is transported via wind and sea to new locations around the planet. Solution No.2 is the collection’s zestiest fragrance, with a combination of tangerine leaves, orange blossom, and vetiver; while Solution No.3 is an experimental take on traditional rose perfumes that blends pink peppercorn, rose damascena, and ambrette liquid. The final fragrance, Solution No. 4, is a woody fragrance inspired by the anomaly of nature in urban environments, with hints of eucalyptus and lavender juxtaposed with leather notes.
The Imprint face and body pigment crayons are vibrant paint sticks that can be applied freely or paired with Off-White’s stencils, which take their inspiration from Abloh’s signature tagging gestures and street-art codes. The crayons are in bold shades of red, black, brown, lime, indigo, and glauque, and can be sprayed with a conditioning setting spray for enhanced longevity.
Finally, Paperwork’s nail polishes include a clear Shellac that can be used as a base or top coat, and three matte polishes — the translucent fuchsia Flashback, an opaque electric blue called Digital, and Military, an opaque army green. In contrast, Pixel is a pearlescent glitter polish that is blended with laser-cut reflective shreds for extreme sheen; and Decode is a quick-drying solvent that makes the white polish shatter as it dries.
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