A CITY ON FIRE - Frag_1_City_Front_02.webp

50ml

A CITY ON FIRE - Fragrance_4_City_Lifestyle.webp

50ml

50ml

50ml

14ml

2ml

IMAGINARY AUTHORS

A CITY ON FIRE

Name: A CITY ON FIRE
Brand: IMAGINARY AUTHORS
Price: 115.00 $
Availability: InStock

Eau De Parfum

Unisex

Sizes

Starting

$115

Description

A City On Fire by Imaginary Authors is an evocative journey into urban shadows and smoldering intrigue, blending smoky cade oil and scorched match accords with the mysterious richness of dark berries. Earthy spikenard and spicy cardamom lend an uncommon freshness atop a base of labdanum, conjuring the atmosphere of a city flickering with both danger and possibility. Its austere, noir character makes it an ideal fragrance for those who crave individuality and dramatic presence. Inspired by a graphic novel’s tension and nocturnal allure, this scent captures the drama of a city ablaze with secrets. Created by Josh Meyer for unisex.

Scent Profile

Smoky

Woody

Spicy

Dark

Mysterious

Notes

Top Notes

Cade Oil

Spikenard

Cardamom

Middle Notes

Clearwood

Dark Berries

Base Notes

Labdanum

Burnt Match Accord

About IMAGINARY AUTHORS

Imaginary Authors is an American niche fragrance house founded by Josh Meyer in Portland, Oregon, known for its playful, literary-inspired approach to perfumery. Each scent is presented as the “story” of a fictional author, complete with a title, synopsis, and imagined backstory—transforming fragrance into an olfactory novel. With creative blends and unexpected notes like “warm sand” or “fresh tennis balls,” Imaginary Authors captures the spirit of adventure, imagination, and storytelling through scent.

Website

Perfumer

Josh Meyer

Josh Meyer is an American perfumer and founder of Imaginary Authors, a Portland-based niche fragrance house known for its literary-inspired concepts and unconventional ingredients. A self-taught perfumer, Meyer combines storytelling and scent design to create imaginative, narrative-driven compositions that invite wearers to “read” through fragrance. His work is celebrated for its creativity, humor, and ability to make niche perfumery both artistic and approachable.

Website

Reviews

4.4

Very Good31 reviews

Luckyscent

4.3/5 • 20 reviews

Ministry of Scent

4.6/5 • 11 reviews

Community Insights

Reviewers consistently describe A City On Fire as a boldly smoky and original scent with an unmistakable burnt match accord and dark, woody undertones. Many appreciate its uniqueness and storytelling character, noting its remarkable departure from typical fragrances.

Pros

Performance excellence: Offers moderate to long-lasting wear, typically 6-8 hours, with a balanced sillage ensuring the scent is present but not overwhelming

Versatile appeal: Works beautifully for evening occasions, cold weather, or intimate gatherings where a dramatic impression is desired

Quality composition: Reviewers praise the creative use of cade oil and burnt nuances, with smooth transitions between smoky, spicy, and subtly sweet notes

Cons

Specific limitation: The intense smokiness and burnt match accord can be polarizing, deterring those averse to boldly unconventional scents

Situational drawback: This fragrance may feel too heavy or intense for warm weather or daytime office settings

Comparisons

Unique character: While sometimes compared to Maison Margiela By the Fireplace, reviewers agree A City On Fire is smokier and more urban, lacking the pronounced sweetness of the former

Reminds reviewers of: Hints of smoky fragrances like CDG Black but with a more literal burnt note and less abstract woodiness