CoSTUME NATIONAL — Cyber Garden
Essence
Cyber Garden is a discontinued 2013 CoSTUME NATIONAL EDT by Antoine Lie, designed as a garden of the future where synthetic molecules meet greenery. Its hook is a soft vinyl texture threaded through green notes, violet leaf, saffron, and mossy woods.
Scent Profile
The opening is bright, grassy, and soapy-clean rather than traditionally citrusy. Grapefruit, bergamot, green notes, and pink pepper provide a fresh surface, sometimes with a sharp edge. The scent’s core is its Vinyl Accord: not glossy plastic, but a muted latex or metallic synthetic texture. Violet leaf and saffron make the heart warmer and more unusual. They give the greenness a smooth, slightly suede-like quality and prevent it from becoming a naturalistic forest scent. The composition is deliberately modern and artificial in feeling. Vetiver, moss, patchouli, opoponax, and labdanum form the drydown. Here it becomes softer, mossy, woody, and sometimes watery or lotion-like. The synthetic green idea remains more memorable than the base’s depth.
Performance
Performance is the common limitation. The opening has moderate presence but projection falls quickly, leaving a close, soft scent. Wear can extend through much of a day on some skin, but this is not a fragrance for someone seeking a loud green trail.
Wearing Context
Spring, warm weather, and casual daytime wear are its most natural roles. It reads unisex and androgynous despite masculine cataloging. Its clean, conceptual style suits urban use and relaxed settings more than formal occasions or cold weather.
Comparisons & DNA
Comme des Garcons Amazingreen is the clearest modern-green reference, while the broader synthetic CdG aesthetic helps explain its plastic and static-like effect. Bond No. 9 Bleecker Street is relevant for the warm violet facet. Grey Flannel and L’Eau Froide are more distant green comparisons.
Reception
Cyber Garden has cult-curiosity status rather than broad appeal. Admirers value its original synthetic green concept and the violet-saffron pairing. Critics focus on weak projection, a watery or generic drydown, and a result that can feel tamer than its futuristic premise. It is best sampled by people who actively enjoy artificial green textures.
Versions & Reformulation
It is a single EDT with no known reformulation. It was produced in 50 and 100 ml sizes and is discontinued.
Acquisition Notes
Cyber Garden is now a discount or secondary-market purchase and can be inexpensive when found. Samples and decants are useful because its performance and synthetic character are both divisive. Check seller reputation for discontinued stock.
Notable Facts & Lore
- The concept is a futuristic garden where science and nature meet.
- Green Ether, Vinyl Accord, and Hybrid Moss were the three named signature accords.
- Antoine Lie created it for the house’s technology-meets-nature brief.
- The bottle used the standard house form in green chrome.