Deci Delà Nina Ricci 1994 Eau de Toilette

Deci Dela is a really stunning fragrance. I find it easy to love and wear. If only all peach scents smelt like this.

Although peach and apricot really shine through as the dominant accords in Deci Dela, this fragrance is far from fruity. Rich is a better word in terms of describing the way it smells, at least for me.

Once you get past the rather alcoholic and slightly medicinal opening, Deci Dela is a really luscious, elegant, sensual and powdery blend of peach, apricot, rose and resins. A subtle hint of earthy patchouli is responsible for this fragrance's chypre classification. It's not what I'd call a full-on, mossy chypre, but the classic feel is there.

You can tell that this is old-school Nina Ricci, because it's lacking in sugary sweetness. Sometimes I wish that the brand still produced gems like this one. I feel saddened by the fact that Deci Dela didn't stick around.

If you're searching for something sexy but not too loud, Deci Dela might surprise you in more ways than one. I can easily see this one appealing to men, even though it is a tad unusual. Men will be intrigued to say the least.

More important to me, is how I feel about Deci Dela, and my reactions so far are good ones. Can't say that it lasts particularly well, but I see no harm in re-applying every now and then. Occasionally I see an odd bottle online for a good price, so if you like it, don't hesitate with Deci Dela. Cave in and make it yours.

I'm not surprised that DECI DELA was discontinued, because it is a very confusing composition. The opening offers a waft of chemical-smelling solvent which would no doubt turn off lots of people. However, patience pays off in this case, as the drydown of this fruity chypre is delightful. Similar in some ways to other perfumes in this cateogry, including YSL YVRESSE and Rochas FEMME, DECI DELA has a distinctive raspberry note which brings it closest of all, according to my nose, to Bond no 9 BRYANT PARK. The primary difference between the Nina Ricci and the Bond is that the latter is significantly sweeter than the former, with raspberry becoming a focal note (along with rhubarb, which is not present in DECI DELA at all), although it is still ensconced in a gorgeous modern chypre.

I have the eau de toilette and the eau de toilette concentrée of DECI DELA, and I really enjoy both and find that the longevity and sillage are quite good even in the edt. Whenever I wear this perfume, I find myself remarking at some point during the drydown how lovely I smell. (-: But I do aver that the opening could be a real turn off. I would recommend BRYANT PARK to those who like the general idea and aesthetic of DECI DELA but wish to skip the solventy opening.

In 1993, YSL released Champagne but were soon forced to change the name by irate wine producers. It's now called Yvresse, meaning drunkenness, albeit misspelt. Champange is a thick, creamy-sweet fruity floral; a Peach Melba of rose and violet, heady and almost narcotic.
And then, the following year, Nina Ricci came up with Deci Delà.
This is clearly a 'me too' of the Grojsman pageant, but, being more open & fruity and less thick & creamy it's lighter and more fun, an easier version to wear.
Deci Delà means here and there, but it could have been named Prosecco...

I like raspberries. I love apricots. I love curry. Unfortunately, I do not love the fact that, on me, Deci Dela smells like raspberry-apricot curry. I don't understand why, either. It does not have any spices listed, nor immortelle, which can sometimes have a curryish scent on me. This is one of those frustrating ones that, reading the notes, I would have thought it would suit me perfectly. Too bad.(062410)

Deci Delá was ahead of its time. When Gucci Rush had not yet been born and the Escada summer fragrances were still not in circulation, it was already a successful blend of both - fruity raspberry and sweet peach in the top note, delicious and fruity, but not sticky, greener, fresher floral notes in the heart note (who was that? The sweet pea? Probably!) and a soft, cozy base.
Even the bottle was so crazy and innovative that it won some design award (if I remember which one, I will add that!).
But as it often is with many groundbreaking fragrance launches - you only miss them when the masses of buyers have stood in awe but did not take the plunge, and the fragrance has left the planet again.
Oh, how beautiful Deci Delá was!