Gabriela Sabatini Gabriela Sabatini 1989 Eau de Toilette

How I loved this concoction. Gabriela Sabatini was my first perfume that left a lasting impression on me - and my surroundings. It was practically an important part of my olfactory socialization. I owned the Eau de Parfum in the early 90s and bought it once again. The scent was very popular back then. My girlfriend loved it, and later my father gifted it to my mother. Some time ago, I clumsily spilled the fragrance in my mother's bathroom when the bottle slipped from my hand during a scent test - well, we all have our moments of weakness. In any case, it smelled immensely good then. I recently picked up a 20-ml Eau de Toilette bottle on sale at Rossmann. I wanted to take my time and thought, with 20 ml, you can't go wrong.

And so far, I haven't made a mistake. I feel transported back to old times. The bottle somehow reminds me of a tennis ball in line with the tennis icon Gabriela Sabatini, and the content is a typical brew of its time. It comes from a distant era when we carefree indulged in scents, following the motto: "I smell, therefore I am!" An era in which we felt a fragrance belonged to us and used it generously. A sort of olfactory statement! It reminds me of Joop Femme, with the difference that the latter doesn't work as well on me.

Gabriela Sabatini is soft, warm, spicy, floral, green-woody, citrusy, feminine, profound, and does not drift into olfactory triviality. It has a slightly artificial note. That's why I parted ways with the scent many years ago; I also felt I had somewhat outgrown it. But the real reason for our separation was that my obsession with Gabriela Sabatini simply lost its rank. But so what. Now I own both fragrances again.

Gabriela Sabatini has an acceptable sillage and very good longevity. If you don't overapply, the scent is present but not overpowering. It starts fruity-sweet, becomes more citrusy over time, a bit more robust, and slightly vanillic. Gabriela Sabatini is wearable year-round, day and night. I associate its richness with curves and not anorexia, enjoyment and not asceticism, letting go and not iron discipline. To me, it feels sporty, dynamic, cheerful, and approachable, balanced and well-composed. It is an adult fragrance, neither playful nor sweet. A beautiful all-rounder that outshines many high-priced scents. Apparently, it has never been altered and is thus a piece of fragrance history.

A few days ago, a long-time friend complimented me on the scent. That seems like a good start for the rekindled romance between Gabriela Sabatini and me.