Cabaret 2003

Cabaret by Grès
Bottle Design Thierry Lecoule
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7.1 / 10 133 Ratings
Cabaret is a perfume by Grès for women and was released in 2003. The scent is floral-woody. It was last marketed by Lalique Group / Art & Fragrance.
Pronunciation
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Main accords

Floral
Woody
Chypre
Spicy
Powdery

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
RoseRose Lily of the valleyLily of the valley PeonyPeony
Heart Notes Heart Notes
FrankincenseFrankincense IrisIris VioletViolet
Base Notes Base Notes
MuskMusk SandalwoodSandalwood AmberAmber PatchouliPatchouli OleanderOleander

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
7.1133 Ratings
Longevity
6.595 Ratings
Sillage
5.976 Ratings
Bottle
6.890 Ratings
Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 16.06.2023.

Reviews

8 in-depth fragrance descriptions
jtd

484 Reviews
jtd
jtd
Helpful Review 7  
New strategy: Put it in a less spangly bottle, give it a name like Musc deMuscatel, sell niche @ Lutens prices. Would work!
Transparent, woody rose. I’ve seen Cabaret described this way a number of times. I’ll take the transparent, and even though I can’t really describe how a fragrance is transparent, Cabaret is. I do smell a boozy rose, particularly at the opening. But overall, Cabaret smells of incense, lily of the valley and musk. There are certainly many elements that I’m leaving out, but these seem to be the key notes. They bounce off each other and form some interesting combinations as they evolve---green apple candy? Badgely Mischka-style fruity floral?

The early drydown (a fairly long stretch) smells of lily of the valley combined with the fruit-like sweetness of musk. Later in the drydown, the tone is a cool cedar-like, incensy musk. This last bit stays close to the skin but lasts the length of the day.

Again, I have trouble with the word transparent here, as I can’t really nail down what I mean. But here’s a point of comparison: Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely, similarly a musky, woody floral is blunt and gooey, whereas Cabaret feels coated in a glossy clear lacquer. The visual analogy of a lacquer or varnish, a clear layer that enhances or qualifies the color and appearance of what’s underneath, is probably close to the idea here. My bet is that there is a particular use of aromachemicals that focuses or directs the nose to the other elements of the fragrance, perhaps similar to the way aldehydes modify a floral. However it’s done, the effect is lasting and lovely.
1 Comment
7.5
Sillage
7.5
Longevity
7
Scent
Missk

1165 Reviews
Missk
Missk
3  
A Very Dramatic Rose
It's so easy to dismiss a fragrance based purely upon the fact that it's cheap. There's always that presumption that it can't be anything that spectacular, so if you're anything like me, you might stick your nose up in the air and keep walking. Cabaret should have stopped me dead in my tracks.

These days, the rose and patchouli combo seems a tad overdone, but back when this fragrance was first released, it was relatively new. Cabaret is perhaps not as intense as the more renowned patchouli and rose fragrances on the market, but I don't consider that a fault. I like that Cabaret sits closer to the skin.

The opening is fairly straight-forward. The rose accord is rich and oily, and the patchouli smells green and earthy. On the skin, Cabaret feels rather elegant and smooth, with the slightest hint of sensuality. Let me put it this way, this fragrance smells a lot more expensive than it actually is.

The heart and drydown are very similar to the top notes. Amber provides an element of syrupy warmth, while a touch of spicy musk and incense balances this fragrance out and adds extra depth.

Gres comes up with some really interesting scents. It's a pity that they aren't readily available or well-known. I have only positive things to say about this brand.

Despite Cabaret's subtle nature, this fragrance has great lasting strength. I would recommend it for wear during Autumn and Winter, and even on the occasional Spring day. I personally wear it often as a date fragrance as I feel it adds to the romantic mood.

Originally written: July 23, 2012.
0 Comments
Omni

70 Reviews
Omni
Omni
2  
Madonna of the Rose
It opens on a cloud of pollen particles mixed with acetone. Luca Turin reported that he smiled beatifically as that dispersed and Cabaret settled on his skin. That sets the scene. I call it my Madonna rose, notes of incense, patchouli and lily of the valley support the woody rose in a style of ecclesiastical refinement. Another reviewer made an acute observation comparing the scent of Cabaret to the inside of a piano. If we explore that further we would find wax, dust and balsa wood. I was reminded of my weekend job as a teenager, cleaning the old Regent Theatre (demolished in the 70s) that showcased a hydraulically operated stage, appearing with fortissimo piano from the bowels of the theatre. Just like the Paris Opera House, are we getting the picture? I was told by a decrepit old caretaker that during the 1920s there were shows with live seals. Gres perfumers may have sought out the influence in 'L'Air de Rien' of dust, velvet brocade and parchment but left out the animalic notes. No seals, thank goodness. Either way, Cabaret is living up to its name, and in a world where truth doesn't stand in the way of a good story Cabaret is straight and true, commanding respect. It is ethereal, exhibits longing; it remembers lust but isn't obsessed by it. Sillage is slight, projection mild. Be generous with application if it suits you.
You will find the Madonna of the rose at Museo del Prado in Madrid and Gres Cabaret at a killer price online. Sample bottles are available. Comparisons to 'Lovely' don't stack up to my nose. I would rate it more highly in experience value, as Luca Turin did with a 4 star.
Summary. True Rose scent, smoke and ashes momentarily. Updated: I amp up the roses sometimes by layering this with Serge Lutens Sa Majeste. 
0 Comments
2.5
Bottle
2.5
Sillage
0
Longevity
9
Scent
Lola82

362 Reviews
Lola82
Lola82
1  
Weak
The opening starts with aged Patchouli
and dried Red Rose the note of powdery
violet starts to make it's presence
dries to an earthy boquet of purple
irises the drydown of smoky Sandalwood
and a dark wisp of incense dances above
the air. the fragrance is promising but
it's too light to be called thertical
or dramatic it just fleets off my skin
in like 30 minutes of an hour. I have
drenched myself in this because it's so
light i love the scent but i wish it was
heavier.
1 Comment
Stacia

134 Reviews
Stacia
Stacia
2  
Ethereal rose chypre
Somewhat melancholy in feeling but still alive. Like a ghost. One thing I love about it is how long it lasts on my skin and how it gets stronger and more beautiful at the same time as it is dying away. I see that this has the poisonous nerium oleander listed as a note. Is that the elusive quality that makes me keep sniffing? I also see iris, violet, and lily of the valley are included. These flowers always conjure up the garden of my childhood home, another reason this fragrance is bittersweet to me. When at last it fades to the end, what remains is a smudge of burnt out rosewood incense, the way my parent's brass Buddha incense holder smelled when I lifted the tiny top off.

What makes me crave Cabaret is the way it seems so personal to me. It's as if someone read my diary and then crafted this perfume. Cabaret is a great name...it also reminds me of my theatre background. Fresh soft florals, mostly rose at the top, and the base is a very dry clay smell. It is cool and elegant with a transparent, almost dusty smell. I think of the atmosphere backstage at every show I have been involved in. Antique wood counters in the dressing room, waxy makeup and powder strewn across them. Vases and vases of roses and lilies. That musky smell of fresh sweat from dancers just coming off stage. When I put on Cabaret, I do get a tiny bit of that opening night excitement. It's so compelling it is almost too good to be worn.
0 Comments
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