The Vault – Harlem, NYC

M. Tony Peralta

You every notice how artists always seem to do everything artfully? That’s M. Tony Peralta aka Big Tone. A graphic artist/photographer/temperamental creator, I met this fly cat in the late 90’s and have had my eye on him ever since. I’ve watched his artistic expression grow in so many ways and I’m proud to consider him a friend. Check out the April issue of Giant magazine where they feature Mr. Peralta in the Flash section where he’s wearing his “Freedom” tee. I ran into Mr. Peralta at a Sound of Art event in Harlem at The Vault on Saturday to celebrate the artist Joe Buck (He’s the guy in the background with the funny look on his face…sorry Joe, I don’t have Photoshop skills) and decided to see how the art of fragrance has made an impression on his life.

What’s your earliest recollection of fragrance? Which names come to
mind?
My earliest recollection of fragrances are not good ones. I remember getting headaches from my mother’s perfumes and the image of Brut and Old Spice come to mind as well. To redeem myself from mentioning those cheap fragrances, I have to fast forward a little to the early 80’s and 90’s. I remember my older brother and Drakkar. That’s definitely a bottle that sticks out in my head.
I was just a kid back then, so I wasn’t really into fragrances. I also remember my older friends rocking Cool Water and the green polo bottle cologne.

As a teenager, I was into oils. Egyptian Musk to be exact. Besides the affordable prices of the oils. I really liked how Egyptian musk smelt, especially on a woman. It’s really soft. I’m pretty sensitive to smells, so I like my fragrances to be smooth.

During college is when I really got into colognes. If I remember correctly, I think the first bottle I bought was Jean-Paul Gaultier “Le Male.” Beside the cool packaging I really liked the fragrance. It was a bit strong but I dealt with it. I think it helped me get some attention from the ladies. After that I switched to Versace Green or Blue jeans and rode it for a few years.

What are you wearing these days? What is it about that one that makes
it special?

These days I wear a variety of colognes. My favorite fragrance is L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake. That’s the one I wear on the regular. I also own Attitude by Giorgio Armani, Versace’s Eau Fraiche. Other fragrances I love are Rush by Gucci and Emporio He by Giorgio Armani.

How often do you buy a new fragrance? When you’re on the hunt, what do you look for?

The last bottle I bought was Attitude by Giorgio Armani and that was about 8 months ago. I don’t
Shop that frequent for fragrances. I think men should have there staple scent. I think mine is
Issey Miyake but I’m not a afraid to try new ones. As longs as they’re not strong and over powering. I honestly get headaches from strong fragrances.

How would you finish this statement, “my most memorable fragrant
moment would be …?

You know what is my most memorable fragrant moment, it’s this baby cologne that my mom used on my younger sister after she bathed her. It’s a baby cologne that is used frequently by Dominicans. It makes the baby smell so fresh after they’re bathed. I remember my younger sister
wearing it as well as my nephews. It’s like the smell of innocence. Its called Para Mi Bebe

Creative, temperamental, stylish and sensitive…that’s Mr. Peralta