Top Notes 
Ylang-ylang
Heart Notes 
Tuberose
Freesia
Jasmine
Base Notes 
Coconut
Vanilla
Musk
White honey
Caramel
Cinnamon
Antoine
207 Reviews
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Antoine
Top Review
A Quiet Gourmand
Gourmand fragrances are not my thing. Most of the time they are too sweet for me, often too artificial, and very often too loud and ostentatious. Carla Fracci's fragrance Giselle is a gourmand scent, but it is not overtly sweet, does not come across as artificial, and is rather quiet and subtle.
What my predecessor Fran had in her test vial, I do not know; perhaps it was a flanker, perhaps a special edition, but it is certainly not the Giselle by Carla Fracci listed here. "My" Giselle is clearly the fragrance listed here; it looks as depicted, and it smells as it should based on the stated pyramid. My review refers to the Eau de Parfum.
The opening is subtly floral with a hint of sweetness. Not the kind of floral top note that feels like someone is slapping a huge bouquet in your face, but rather some more restrained notes of delicate floral aromas. It radiates a pleasant nonchalance and a promise of more. I would not have identified ylang-ylang.
The heart of the fragrance is homogeneously floral, but again not overwhelmingly perfumed. It may be that freesia, jasmine, and tuberose together create this rounded, floral accord, yet I openly admit that I would not have identified individual floral notes. However, the fragrance is neither bland nor boring; at this stage, I would rather categorize it as a "well-groomed clean scent" - if it weren't for the fact that the base is slowly starting to take shape. This base is clearly gourmand, which is rather atypical for the category of "well-groomed clean scent." But "Giselle" manages the balancing act between subtly groomed and gourmand with admirable ease and elegance ("balancing act" is, by the way, a particularly fitting metaphor for this fragrance, more on that later!).
The base delivers everything that the listed pyramid promises in terms of deliciousness, but again at a very subtle, well-groomed, and elegantly perceived level - a kind of softened Ambre Narguilé in the best sense, suitable for everyday wear and office-compatible.
Giselle is certainly not a candidate for the Valhalla of perfumery, but for anyone looking for a quieter, yet not boring gourmand scent for everyday use, I can warmly recommend Giselle. A nice side effect is that you won't encounter it on every corner. Contrary to the information above, "Giselle" is apparently no longer in production, at least it is no longer listed on the company homepage of Carla Fracci. However, it can still be found here and there online for relatively little money. I also consider it suitable for men's skin; there are declared "men's fragrances" that are much sweeter.
Carla Fracci was a famous ballet dancer who celebrated her greatest successes in the 1960s. Since 2004, she has been releasing perfumes under her name. The name of the fragrance is derived from the ballet "Giselle," based on the libretto by Théophile Gautier and the music by Adolphe Adam. The role of Giselle was one of Carla Fracci's shining roles.
What my predecessor Fran had in her test vial, I do not know; perhaps it was a flanker, perhaps a special edition, but it is certainly not the Giselle by Carla Fracci listed here. "My" Giselle is clearly the fragrance listed here; it looks as depicted, and it smells as it should based on the stated pyramid. My review refers to the Eau de Parfum.
The opening is subtly floral with a hint of sweetness. Not the kind of floral top note that feels like someone is slapping a huge bouquet in your face, but rather some more restrained notes of delicate floral aromas. It radiates a pleasant nonchalance and a promise of more. I would not have identified ylang-ylang.
The heart of the fragrance is homogeneously floral, but again not overwhelmingly perfumed. It may be that freesia, jasmine, and tuberose together create this rounded, floral accord, yet I openly admit that I would not have identified individual floral notes. However, the fragrance is neither bland nor boring; at this stage, I would rather categorize it as a "well-groomed clean scent" - if it weren't for the fact that the base is slowly starting to take shape. This base is clearly gourmand, which is rather atypical for the category of "well-groomed clean scent." But "Giselle" manages the balancing act between subtly groomed and gourmand with admirable ease and elegance ("balancing act" is, by the way, a particularly fitting metaphor for this fragrance, more on that later!).
The base delivers everything that the listed pyramid promises in terms of deliciousness, but again at a very subtle, well-groomed, and elegantly perceived level - a kind of softened Ambre Narguilé in the best sense, suitable for everyday wear and office-compatible.
Giselle is certainly not a candidate for the Valhalla of perfumery, but for anyone looking for a quieter, yet not boring gourmand scent for everyday use, I can warmly recommend Giselle. A nice side effect is that you won't encounter it on every corner. Contrary to the information above, "Giselle" is apparently no longer in production, at least it is no longer listed on the company homepage of Carla Fracci. However, it can still be found here and there online for relatively little money. I also consider it suitable for men's skin; there are declared "men's fragrances" that are much sweeter.
Carla Fracci was a famous ballet dancer who celebrated her greatest successes in the 1960s. Since 2004, she has been releasing perfumes under her name. The name of the fragrance is derived from the ballet "Giselle," based on the libretto by Théophile Gautier and the music by Adolphe Adam. The role of Giselle was one of Carla Fracci's shining roles.
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Haley74
Bellemorte
Heikeso
Serafina
Jennytammy
Nordnase
