Sakura Dior 2017

"Sakura" is a poetic interpretation of the cherry blossom, inspired by a breathtaking spring day in Japan. It captures the essence of the Sakura—flowers that are small and fragile individually, yet capable of creating a stunning, overwhelming landscape when gathered together.

The heart features the iconic, transparent Dior rose, brightened by Hedione and a touch of green to mimic the vivid pink hue of the blossoms. The addition of powdery violet and mimosa lends a delicate, airy texture.

This fragrance perfectly fulfills the desire—deeply rooted in Japanese culture—to wear a scent that is "subtle, refined, and never overpowering." It doesn't shout its presence; instead, it creates a "beautiful aura" that whispers elegance. Much like the cherry blossoms that form a magnificent scenery through their quiet collective presence, this floral masterpiece enhances the wearer's dignity silently yet overwhelmingly. It is the ultimate scent for those who appreciate the beauty of understated sophistication.

Cherry blossom scents are usually doomed to fall into the "nice and pretty, but not THAT remarkable" category. At least for me. The only exception is Amouage Love Blossom, which has a lot of other notes to elevate the cherry blossom. But of course, I'm very fond of the blossoms in real life. I mean who doesn't love that short time in spring, when whole streets are full of cherry trees in bloom, with petals falling to the ground like pink snowflakes?

So I'm still curious for cherry blossom perfumes with a special something and thought maybe Dior's exclusive line would deliver. It does not. It's nice and pretty, but not THAT remarkable. This Sakura is airy and dewy, very clean and bordering on soapy. But not really like bar soap, more like a cherry blossom scented bubble bath. A touch of transparent rose completes the picture, so it smells more floral than the usual fruit-infused drugstore cherry blossom.
If that sounds good to you, I think this might be worth it. It's light, but not thin, it doesn't fall apart or turn sour in the base like some other springy florals do. Instead it fades to a supersoft, fluffy skin musk.

To me it's just okay though, especially at this price point. It smells good, but it doesn't capture the cheer and fleeting melancholy of cherry blossom season.

This is a photo-realistic Sakura scent, and like real Sakura blossoms, it is ephemeral - its gone almost as soon as it peaks, and it manages to fade without wilting. This fragrance is sakura in both scent and symbolism. It starts like a sakura in bloom, floats through the air in a pink haze; the clouds break, a shaft of light pierces through the sky, illuminating a single bloom. Then, before your eyes, the bloom is knocked off the branch by a gust of wind, and with melancholy you watch it drift to the ground, all that remains is a memory.

The bottle is ugly though.

J ai découvert ce parfum a printemps Lyon en 2018.

Une immersion incroyable dans le printemps japonais , c est fleuri ,on a l impression d etre dans one piece dans le pays de wano.

Excellent parfum pour les japonais en mal.du pays ou pour les fan de manga et du japan expo.

Pour ma part ce n est pas trop mon style .

Bravo a dior pour cette idée inédite

"Sakura" comes into bloom on my skin with the rose-almond note, and a glimpse of an amaretto, preventing the scent being too infantile or cloyingly sweet. I suppose this is what Francois Demachy envisaged as a Japanese cherry blossom. The green note comes later (there you have my nose doing a number on me again) with a LOTV-like facet. I do not complain as LOTV (lily-of-the-valley) is one of my all time favourite flowers and an avatar of the youthful spring. The heart becomes creamy and white floral, with fresh accords, and rose almost invisible, drowned in the tree blossoms' petals. The fragrance is light and indulgent, with skin close projection and beautiful undertones, glistening through the composition. Despite its sweet aroma, it is neither heavy nor suffocating, and the sugary note supplied by the rose is airy and unimposing. Mimosa is very nicely done, very realistic and not confined to its usual powdery-only facet. It is yellow, and fuzzy, and cute, blending and contrasting very well with delicate violet. Musk creates a light and fresh base, holding the florals together, like a white ribbon around the bouquet.
"Sakura" should applied in several layers, if one wants a stronger projection and sillage, but even then it will not be overpowering or selfish. It is a most versatile fragrance for any time of the day, year and occasion, and can be tuned up or down at one's whim and pleasure. This is why I always have it in my travel bag - it never disappoints or feels out of place.
This is not a fragrance of particular complexity, revolutionary or requiring astuteness to particular notes and styles. It is exceptionally easy, democratic even, transcending all ages and trends, feminine and joyous, and pretty. "Sakura" is not about geishas or femme fatale, but she is about the spring time in Japan or any other country, with blooming flowers and trees, golden sun in azure skies, joy of life and purity of spirit. It makes one's step lighter, eyes shinier and smile happier. It is just that moment in time when everything is perfect.