
London Funk
Vilhelm Parfumerie's London Funk is a bold, woody aromatic blend that captures a retro, green aesthetic. Built around top notes of juniper and basil, it settles into a dry heart of cassis and driftwood. The base of vetiver and yerba mate leaves a lingering, earthy trail that is perfect for warm spring days.
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Performance Metrics
1,447 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Lasts six to eight hours on skin with moderate projection that keeps within arm's length for two hours. It performs best in warm, humid weather, which highlights the salty driftwood.
Notes Pyramid
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A bitter, dry, and green woody aromatic scent. It features texture that feels like crushed dandelion stems and dry tea leaves, driven by key notes of basil, juniper, cassis, and smoky vetiver.
Main Accords
6 MAPPEDThe aromatic and green accords dominate the opening with a sharp, herbal bite. Over time, the woody and earthy accords take over, shifting the scent from a bright garden to a dry, smoky forest floor.
Community Data
962 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
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REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in spring and summer.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Sparkling opening of juniper and fresh basil
Unique earthy profile that stands out from typical summer scents
Decent six to eight hour longevity on warm skin
Dry vetiver and cedarwood provide a solid, woody structure
Great for casual spring daywear in outdoor settings
Unisex appeal for those who prefer dry, non-sweet profiles
Natural, botanical smell that avoids synthetic chemical vibes
Intriguing retro feel that recalls classic green chypres
Moderate projection that does not overwhelm enclosed spaces
High-quality glass bottle and heavy magnetic cap
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Polarizing cassis note can smell sour or urinous on some skin
Strong herbal bitterness may turn off beginners
May smell like sweat or stale weed to people around you
Not suitable for cold winter days which flatten the citrus
Too eccentric for formal dinners or conservative workspaces
Expensive price point for a highly casual, niche scent
Fails to project well after the third hour of wear
Very little sweetness to balance the dry yerba mate base
Sandalwood note is almost undetectable on most skin types
Not a safe gift due to the polarizing green profile
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Vilhelm Parfumerie London Funk Review: Green, Bitter, and Retro”
London Funk opens with a sharp, bracing flash of bergamot and piney juniper. The top notes are intensely aromatic, immediately supported by a highly realistic basil note that smells like crushed leaves between your fingers. This is not a sweet, gentle herb garden. Instead, it feels bitter and wild, cutting through warm air with a cold, metallic fizz.
As the citrus recedes, the fragrance transitions into its woody heart. A dry driftwood accord emerges, pairing with cassis buds to create a complex, slightly sour undertone. On my skin, this phase reveals a distinct herbal oiliness that many compare to cannabis. It is earthy, damp, and slightly sweaty, though the woody structure keeps it from becoming completely unwashed.
In the dry-down, the green elements settle into a classic woody base. The vetiver here is dry and smoky, stripped of any clean, soapy facets. Yerba mate adds a dry, tea-like leafiness that reinforces the bitter theme, while cedarwood provides a steady, pencil-shaving structure. Sandalwood is listed but remains faint, doing little to soften the overall dry, grassy texture.
Performance is respectable for a green fragrance, carrying through a typical six-hour afternoon before fading. It projects moderately, making it a safe choice for outdoor events where you want to be noticed without overwhelming your companions. The scent thrives in humid summer heat, which coaxes out the salty facets of the driftwood and the warmth of the ambergris.
This is a fragrance with a specific retro identity, channeling a dusty, grassy vintage vibe. It will not appeal to fans of clean, modern laundry musks or sweet gourmands. It is designed for those who appreciate the bitter chypres of the past but want a modern, eccentric twist. If you wear vintage leather jackets and prefer dry, herbaceous scents, you will find it intriguing.
My verdict is that London Funk is a compelling, odd creation that demands a test drive. Its bitter, grassy profile is unique, but the sour cassis and sweaty undertones mean it can react poorly with some skin chemistry. Buy a sample first, wear it on a warm afternoon, and see how the herbal green notes behave on your skin before committing to a full bottle.
FAQs
What does London Funk smell like?+
This fragrance opens with a sharp, bright burst of green basil and piney juniper. As it settles on your skin, the initial herbal freshness shifts toward a dry, earthy core of vetiver and smoky yerba mate. It smells less like a traditional department store cologne and more like crushed green leaves, bitter citrus zest, and dry cedarwood.
Does this fragrance smell like cannabis?+
Many wearers report a distinct cannabis or hashish note in the dry-down, even though it is not officially listed. The combination of bitter basil, cassis, and earthy vetiver creates a smoky, green funk. It feels raw and resinous on the skin, mimicking the aroma of a joint passed in a cool, damp alley.
How long does London Funk last on skin?+
You can expect this Eau de Parfum to last between six and eight hours on skin. The bright top notes of bergamot and basil fade within the first hour. After that, the heavy base notes of dry vetiver, mate, and cedarwood linger close to the body, holding on well during warm spring afternoons.
What is the sillage and projection like?+
The projection is moderate, extending about an arm's length for the first two hours. It does not fill a whole room, which is helpful given its polarizing nature. It eventually settles into a private skin scent that hugs the body, occasionally wafting woody notes when you move around.
What season is best for wearing London Funk?+
This green scent shines best during the warm days of spring and summer. The bitter herbal qualities of basil and juniper feel crisp and refreshing in hot weather. Cold winter air tends to flatten the sparkling citrus and cassis, leaving only a dry, cold cedarwood behind.
For what occasions should I wear this perfume?+
Wear this for casual daytime outings, outdoor weekend festivals, or relaxed walks in the park. The earthy, herbal aroma makes it a poor fit for formal offices or quiet dinner dates. It fits a relaxed outfit like a linen shirt or a light denim jacket best.
Does London Funk lean masculine or feminine?+
While marketed as unisex, the heavy aromatic and woody accords give it a slight masculine lean. The dry-down recalls classic herbal aftershaves due to the strong presence of vetiver and cedar. However, anyone who enjoys dry, green, non-sweet fragrances can pull this off.
Who is the ideal audience for this scent?+
This is designed for fragrance enthusiasts who prefer earthy, botanical scents over sweet vanillas or clean florals. It appeals to people who want to smell unusual, green, and slightly dirty. If you enjoy grassy, bitter, or cannabis-leaning notes, this will fit your style.
Can I layer London Funk with other fragrances?+
Yes, you can layer it to soften its bitter edges. Try spraying it over a simple, sweet citrus or a creamy sandalwood perfume to round out the sharp basil. Avoid layering it with other heavy chypres or earthy patchouli scents, as they will make the overall aroma muddy.
How does London Funk compare to typical summer citrus scents?+
Most summer scents rely on clean lemons and light musks. This one is different, using a bitter bergamot and juniper top that quickly moves into dark cassis buds and salty driftwood. It feels much woodier and more herbal on the skin than a standard fresh cologne.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCORENo dupes submitted yet. The first useful DupeScore can come from your community.
Look at Vilhelm's own Basilico & Fellini for a sweeter, fig-accented green, or Chanel's Sycomore for a cleaner, high-end vetiver.
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