Crave

The Verdict

Calvin Klein Crave appeared in 2002 as an aromatic fougere composed by Yves Cassar, Pascal Gaurin, and Jean-Marc Chaillan. Packaged in a distinctive all-plastic bottle inspired by mobile phone design, it was marketed as a young, fun, sporty fragrance. The composition attempted something genuinely unusual with its starfish accord -- a salty, briny note that gave Crave a maritime character unlike the typical fresh fragrances of its era.

Yet Crave was discontinued within approximately three years of its launch, making it one of Calvin Klein's shortest-lived offerings. The fragrance simply didn't find a wide enough audience, perhaps because its unconventional starfish note and underwhelming performance failed to compete in a crowded market. Today it exists as a quirky footnote in designer fragrance history, beloved by those who discovered it and largely unknown to everyone else.

What It Smells Like

The opening is fresh and slightly unusual. Bergamot provides familiar citrus brightness, but it's the starfish accord that sets Crave apart -- a salty, slightly briny quality that evokes ocean air and tropical beaches. This marine-citrus introduction is both invigorating and disorienting, as the saltiness pushes against the clean citrus in unexpected ways.

The heart becomes herbal and spicy. Basil adds green freshness, while pimento and coriander contribute warm spice that bridges the marine opening with the woodier base. This middle phase is where Crave feels most balanced and wearable.

The base layers birch, vetiver, and oakmoss for earthy depth, sweetened by tonka bean and warmed by nutmeg and sandalwood. Musk provides a clean, skin-like finish. The overall trajectory moves from salty-fresh to herbal-spicy to warm-woody, though the journey happens more quickly than most wearers would prefer.

When to Wear It

Crave was designed for warm weather and casual settings. Spring and summer are its ideal seasons, where the tropical, salty-citrus character can express itself naturally. This is a beach fragrance, a weekend spritz, a casual daytime scent for young men who want something fun and inoffensive.

It lacks the depth and gravity for formal occasions or cold weather, where its light marine character would simply disappear.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is Crave's most significant weakness. Most reviewers report the fragrance lasting only 2-3 hours on skin, with projection fading to a skin scent within the first hour. This was likely a contributing factor to its rapid discontinuation -- even at its modest price point, a fragrance that requires constant reapplication struggles to build loyalty.

Some defenders note that applying liberally to clothes can extend the experience to 4-5 hours, but on skin, Crave remains frustratingly ephemeral.

The Community Says

The community views Crave with a mix of nostalgia and mild frustration. Positive reviewers describe it as "fruity, citrusy and slightly salty" and "unique and controversial, citrus fresh, spicy, sexy, and quite intriguing -- tailor-made for fun loving young men." Several wearers report receiving multiple compliments during its brief commercial run. Critics call it "a fruity and inoffensive if ultimately mediocre fragrance, with disappointing longevity to boot." Basenotes has active threads where fans seek replacements, suggesting the scent profile had genuine appeal even if the execution fell short. Fragrantica, Basenotes, FragranceNet, and MakeupAlley all contain discussions of this discontinued curiosity.

Who Should Buy This

Crave appeals to discontinued fragrance hunters who enjoy the thrill of finding forgotten gems, and to those nostalgic for early 2000s designer masculinity. If you can find a bottle at a reasonable price, the unique starfish accord and tropical-marine character offer something genuinely different from the mainstream.

However, this is strictly for collectors and curiosity seekers. Anyone seeking a reliable daily driver with consistent performance should look to currently available alternatives.

The Bottom Line

Calvin Klein Crave is a charming if flawed tropical-marine fragrance that dared to be different with its unusual starfish accord. Discontinued too quickly for most people to have experienced it, Crave lives on as a nostalgic curiosity -- a pleasant, salty-fresh summer scent that simply couldn't deliver the longevity its interesting composition deserved.