Dior Paradise Dior 2026

One should keep up with the times, but what is currently happening at Dior is simply painful to experience. Ever since François Demachy left and Francis Kurkdjian took over, the olfactory quality has plummeted. The noble, high-quality line that once distinguished the house has been completely thrown overboard. Demachy's signature had real magic for me; it was luxurious, profound, and balanced. Since the change, not a single fragrance has been released that even comes close. Instead, there is a sterile, sharp-edged insignificance reigning.
The best example of this is the new Paradise. The name suggests a promise, I thought, but the reality is unfortunately a synthetic nightmare. I smell nothing of the promised soft almond sun. On my skin, a piercing, unpleasant pepper note explodes, paired with an artificial lab aura. This is miles away from Dior's elegant signature. It feels cheap, scratchy, and soullessly constructed. Anyone truly looking for a good almond or mandarin scent can save themselves the trouble. Other houses have creations that do this worlds better.
For me, this is no longer just a slip; it has a system. The entire new portfolio feels loveless and completely alienated from its own identity. And let's be honest. To charge such prices for this synthetic brew is, in my eyes, an absolute outrage and pure "mockery" of the customer. I won't be part of this anymore. If I am looking for true craftsmanship and finesse today, I am much better off with Louis Vuitton, Creed, or Tom Ford. At least there, you still get the level that Dior has silently and soundlessly bid farewell to.
I would be interested to hear how you see it. Do you also perceive the development since the perfumer change as extreme, or am I being too harsh?