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The 1905 Boston Prison Break: 5 Shocking Secrets Behind The 'Love & Crime Ex Idolo' Fragrance

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The fragrance known as 'Love & Crime Ex Idolo' is far more than just a perfume; it is a meticulously crafted olfactory narrative that has captivated the niche fragrance community since its launch in 2018. As of December 2025, it remains one of the most talked-about and highly-rated gourmand scents, not just for its complex composition of cocoa and mandarin, but for the astonishing, forgotten true-crime story that serves as its foundation. This London-based fragrance house, Ex Idolo, specializes in creating scents with a deliberate ethos, focusing on quality over quantity, and their most famous creation is a testament to the enduring, often scandalous, power of romantic obsession.

The entire concept behind the scent is a celebration of a daring, non-violent prison break from 1905, transforming a century-old tale of outlaw lovers into a modern, luxurious, and highly wearable scent. The story involves a woman, a criminal lover, a daring plan, and the ultimate symbol of confectionary deceit—a cake. This deep dive into the historical figures, the perfumery, and the enduring legacy of this "scandalously enjoyable fragrance" provides the freshest, most unique perspective on why Love & Crime has achieved cult-favorite status.

The Forgotten Biography: Mazie Coyle, Thomas Howard, and the 1905 Escape

The intense curiosity surrounding the name Love & Crime Ex Idolo is entirely justified, as the perfume is directly inspired by the lives and actions of two historical figures: Mazie Coyle (sometimes referred to in records as May Coyle) and her paramour, Thomas Howard. Their story is a quintessential example of "love in the time of crime," culminating in a dramatic, romanticized prison escape in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1905.

While exhaustive biographical details are scarce, the key events that cemented their place in true-crime folklore—and later, in the world of niche perfumery—are well-documented:

  • Thomas Howard’s Status: Thomas Howard was a known criminal in the early 20th century. His specific crime leading to his 1905 incarceration is often cited as theft or robbery, placing him in a Boston jail. He was a figure of local notoriety.
  • Mazie Coyle’s Role: Mazie Coyle was Howard’s devoted lover. She is the central figure in the "crime" part of the story, demonstrating extraordinary bravery and ingenuity to free the man she loved.
  • The Daring Plan (The Cake): Mazie’s plan was to smuggle tools necessary for the escape into the prison. The infamous method—and the direct inspiration for the fragrance’s gourmand notes—was to bake metal saws into a cake or cookies. This act of domestic subterfuge is what distinguishes their story from other prison breaks.
  • The 1905 Prison Break: Following the successful delivery of the tools, Thomas Howard managed to escape from the Boston facility. The details of the escape were widely reported at the time, painting a picture of a successful, if temporary, flight to freedom driven purely by romantic devotion.
  • The Aftermath: The ultimate fate of the couple is a subject of historical ambiguity. While some accounts suggest they were eventually recaptured, the narrative celebrated by Ex Idolo focuses on the initial act of love, ingenuity, and defiance against the system. Their brief, romantic escape became an enduring symbol of passionate, boundary-defying love.

The story of Mazie Coyle—a woman who used a symbol of domestic comfort, the baked good, to commit a daring act of criminal assistance—perfectly encapsulates the duality of the fragrance's name: the 'Love' that motivated the action and the 'Crime' that was committed.

Deconstructing the Olfactory Narrative: How Crime Smells Like Cocoa

The genius of the Love & Crime fragrance lies in how the perfumer, Matthew Zhuk (co-founder of Ex Idolo with Tanya Zhuk), translated the historical narrative of the prison cake into a wearable, luxurious scent. It is a masterful example of olfactory storytelling, a trend that dominates the niche perfume landscape.

The scent is officially categorized as a Floral Fruity Gourmand, but it is often described by critics and enthusiasts as a "dark gourmand floral." The composition is designed to evoke the exact duality of the story: the bright, initial sweetness of the cake concealing the dark, metallic intent of the saw.

The Core Scent Entities (Notes):

  • Top Notes (The Daring Plan): The opening is a vibrant, almost shocking burst of Blood Mandarin (or Red Mandarin) and Pink Pepper. This bright, zesty, and slightly spicy opening represents the initial excitement, the "spark" of the daring plan, and the sweet exterior of the cake.
  • Heart Notes (The Concealed Weapon): The heart introduces the crucial gourmand elements that define the scent. Cocoa Absolute is the main player, providing a rich, dark, and slightly bitter chocolate note that perfectly signifies the concealed, darker purpose of the cake. This is blended with a hint of spicy Star Anise and delicate white florals, representing the soft, feminine touch of Mazie Coyle.
  • Base Notes (The Aftermath & Escape): The dry-down is warm, comforting, and incredibly long-lasting, featuring creamy Vanilla Absolute and smooth Sandalwood. The addition of a subtle Orris note adds a powdery, almost cosmetic texture, while Musk provides a lasting, intimate warmth. These base notes symbolize the enduring nature of the couple’s love and their flight to freedom.

The juxtaposition of the bright Blood Mandarin and the deep, dusty Cocoa is what gives the fragrance its unique character, making it a favorite among gourmand perfume aficionados who seek complexity beyond simple sweetness. It is a true indie perfume success story, demonstrating the power of high-quality ingredients and a compelling narrative.

The Cult Status: Why Ex Idolo’s Creation Endures in 2025

Despite being released in 2018, Love & Crime has not faded into the background. Instead, it has solidified its position as a cult-favorite and a benchmark scent in the niche fragrance world. Its enduring popularity is driven by several factors, which are highly relevant in the current luxury perfume market:

1. The Topical Authority of True Crime

In a world obsessed with podcasts, documentaries, and media dedicated to true crime, the fragrance taps into a powerful cultural zeitgeist. It offers a unique, non-violent, and artistic way to engage with a historical true-crime event. The story of Mazie and Thomas is inherently romantic and dramatic, resonating with consumers who value stories and history in their luxury purchases.

2. Quality and Exclusivity (The Ex Idolo Ethos)

The Ex Idolo brand, founded by the Zhuks, operates with a philosophy of "quality over quantity." They have a small, carefully curated collection, which includes their other notable scent, *Thirty-Three*. This focus on limited production and the use of high-quality, often rare, ingredients—such as the rich Vanilla and authentic Cocoa Absolute—justifies its premium price point and maintains its perceived exclusivity among fragrance collectors.

3. The Perfect Gourmand Balance

Many gourmand perfumes can be overwhelmingly sweet. Love & Crime, however, is praised for its sophisticated balance. The tartness of the Blood Mandarin and the spice of the Pink Pepper and Star Anise cut through the richness of the Vanilla and Cacao, preventing it from becoming cloying. This makes it a highly versatile "dark gourmand" that can be worn year-round, appealing to a broader audience than typical winter-only sweet scents.

4. Longevity and Sillage

A frequent mention in online reviews and fragrance community discussions is the exceptional performance of the scent. Its strong sillage (the trail it leaves) and outstanding longevity (how long it lasts on the skin) ensure that the wearer gets a full, day-long experience of the story, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking performance from their Eau de Parfum.

In conclusion, the 'Love & Crime Ex Idolo' experience is a masterclass in modern perfumery, leveraging a historical romance to create a scent that is both deeply comforting and thrillingly complex. It is a tribute to the ingenuity of Mazie Coyle and the passionate defiance of her 1905 Boston prison escape, forever immortalized in a bottle of delicious, criminal gourmand perfume.

The 1905 Boston Prison Break: 5 Shocking Secrets Behind the 'Love & Crime Ex Idolo' Fragrance
love and crime ex idolo
love and crime ex idolo

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