What was Jil Sander thinking when she created Jil Sander Woman Two? By this time, she had already fought her way to the top with her puristic fashion. Despite all the envy and resentment. A woman had to assert herself. And she did! Past all the critics, past all the male colleagues in the fashion world, past everything that stood in her way. Jil Sander's fashion was so masculine and yet so feminine that the boundaries of gender blurred into a unified, pure aesthetic. With Jil Sander Woman Two, she gifted this remarkable era a fragrance that is hard to surpass in androgynous charm.
The Scent
One thing should be said right away. This scent is not for lovers of very floral, sweet, or very feminine perfumes. Or for very young women looking for something playful. It is from the 80s and therefore can be very loud and unrelenting in its appearance and composition at first. Except that the aldehydes appear first here, Ms. Sander says the last first with Jil Sander Woman Two. In the airy-light, yet powerful aldehyde cloud, very animalistic notes immediately come into play. Aside from a mineral-rough oak moss that accompanies the scent on its journey with a slight softening towards the end, there are very high doses of castoreum and civet. I have rarely experienced such high doses in a women's perfume. Castoreum is an extremely masculine fragrance ingredient and is referred to as such in the language of perfumers. It stands for dominance and territorial possession. Civet, on the other hand, is a feminine fragrance ingredient. It is considered a warning and indicates danger. Together, they are a clear declaration of war! This very almost dramatic beginning passes quickly, however. A floral veil spreads out, seemingly swallowing the animalistic notes. A powdery tuberose is primarily responsible for this. A herbaceous-spicy clove softens its sweetness. All other floral tones are not recognizable individually. Everything is very clean and finely interwoven and sewn together. In the final phase or the base, Jil Sander Woman Two becomes increasingly woody and slightly creamy-resinous. What remains is a hint of benzoin, moss, and gentle incense that fades very close to the skin.
Conclusion
I will never forget one of the most beautiful images of her. It is a black-and-white photograph of Jil Sander. She is wearing a white pantsuit with graphically perfect tailoring. The background is kept black. She is barefoot, and her décolletage and skin shimmer slightly, glistening-sweaty. Her gaze is very watchful, and she sits in a very masculine-lascivious pose as if she is about to set off on a hunt. This photo interprets for me a modern amazone. All the attributes of masculinity and yet so brutally feminine at the same time. If a fragrance fits this image, then it is this one! One of the most stylish fusions of the genders in a scent that I know. A mercilessly beautiful perfume. At least for me! By the way, as a reference scent or scent twin, Maai by Bogue comes very close to Sander. Although Jil Sander Woman Two seems more like a delicate hologram in comparison and will probably be more wearable for many.
A dress is perfect when you can no longer leave anything out - a speech too!
- Jil Sander -
Rarely has the strength and fighting spirit of a woman been captured as it is in this perfume. It's not just a perfume... it's a weapon. And it can also be used against one's own gender if necessary... simply amazing!
And how well you stuck to that!
Thank you so much, dear Can, for this... "oh... I can't find the words anymore - amazing review"!
I was 17, almost in love with this incredibly sensual scent...; many, however, didn't like it.
Not everyone’s cup of tea.
Unforgettable.
A great comment about both Ms. Sander and the fragrance.
I still remember the scent well. I especially loved her fashion style. She dressed women not to please men, but for themselves. I found that truly remarkable.
My first scent encounter with Ms. Sander shocked me; that's why I've never dared to try her creations again. This one sounds like it could be to my liking.
You followed it perfectly. Thank you for that. Did you get it from the island too? It's a shame that all these scents have been discontinued. It's even nicer that you're bringing back the memories. Jil Sander Pokal
When you think about the meaningless fragrances being sold under their name today... But what can you do, you can't turn back the wheel of time. That was a great scent.
In the mid-80s, that was what **Man Pure** was for us at university. Forget about "battle of the sexes," when you walked into the lecture hall, it was a "battle of the Jil Sanders" :) As always, a great comment.
How succinctly you've described this fragrance. I can almost smell it in the air :-). I liked it a lot too. A friend used to wear it. I believe you don't have to choose between androgynous or feminine perfumes. I enjoy both and really appreciate how diverse the world of scents is.
The photo of Jil Sander you described is still vivid in my mind and seemed like a character study of her.
Beautiful... just like your comment again.
Great comment on my former signature scent!!! But when I bought it in the souk three years ago, I realized it no longer resonated with me; it just doesn't fit into my here, now, and today. It belongs to another time, another life. I'll leave you a "once upon a time" trophy.
The old Sander scents had something special; I can't remember them anymore, but I suspect they were too intense for me.......!
Thanks for the lovely comment, it really takes me back to my younger years :-)
I had a feeling you’d comment on this fragrance. You've been wearing it suspiciously often lately ;-) Again, a great description, but I haven't experienced this scent either, so I can't join in the mourning songs. But I’m happy to see your comment!
It's so nice to read about this wonderful scent here.. I'm totally blown away⚡!
Thank you so much, dear Can, for this... "oh... I can't find the words anymore - amazing review"!
I was 17, almost in love with this incredibly sensual scent...; many, however, didn't like it.
Not everyone’s cup of tea.
Unforgettable.
I still remember the scent well. I especially loved her fashion style. She dressed women not to please men, but for themselves. I found that truly remarkable.
(I hope you notice my effort to be objective too :P:P !)
The photo of Jil Sander you described is still vivid in my mind and seemed like a character study of her.
Beautiful... just like your comment again.
But when I bought it in the souk three years ago, I realized it no longer resonated with me; it just doesn't fit into my here, now, and today. It belongs to another time, another life.
I'll leave you a "once upon a time" trophy.
Thanks for the lovely comment, it really takes me back to my younger years :-)