In the Mood for Love Man Gianfranco Ferré 2011

Gianfranco Ferré is not considered a particularly exclusive brand. You can find these fragrances in some large chains, such as Müller, where they are usually parked somewhere on the sidelines. They are mid-priced perfumes; quality and style correspond to the expectations of a customer group that tends to be more oriented towards what they already know from shower gels and deodorants.

Within this given, rather modest framework, In the Mood for Love Man makes a pretty good impression. We immediately smell that certain synthetic nuance, which is so typical for fragrances in this category. The obligatory grapefruit note is kept in check. That spicy notes of coriander and cardamom are supposed to characterize this scent - I certainly wouldn't have guessed that without knowledge of the fragrance pyramid. For me, this synthetic-aquatic nuance is hard to reconcile and describe with traditional fragrance notes.

The character is rather dark, deep, yet ethereal. When I asked the saleswoman about the name of this fragrance, I misunderstood her: “Moon of Love”! It has something to do with night, and the pompous bottle is round like a full moon. I see In the Mood for Love Man as a relative of the very popular Boss Bottled Night.

Towards the heart, it occasionally becomes oriental - familiar tonka or patchouli notes, or whatever makes a budget-friendly oriental, come to the fore. But that's not the end, as the pyramid suggests. The tonka accord diminishes again, the deep, dark synthetic notes reappear, and it all ends powdery-woody.

Whether for the office or a night out - with this Boss Bottled Night alternative, you can't go wrong, and it has beauty too, despite the synthetic nuance. I believe that Gianfranco Ferré's men's fragrances unjustly live in the shadows - perhaps In the Mood for Love Man is destined for more success.