Oscar

Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta 1977 Eau de Toilette

The starched white, bittersweet Oscar displays its obvious lineage to L'Heure Bleue and Bellodgia, released at a time when it seemed like a rewind at a time of ever-advancing trends in perfumery. Next to Sieuzac's other, collaborative contribution at the time, Opium, Oscar feels more high-society to the former's discotheque decadence. It has a gauzy elegance and a softer, peppery spice, a muted clove and cinnamon caressing a peach cobbler surface, only ever so slightly disrupted by an indolic jasmine.

There is a pale pink carnation and aromatic lavender (a welcome diversion) in the foreground, while an impressionistic gardenia feels like it is detected from a bit of a distance rather than nose-in-petals. Its sillage is a proper, somewhat melancholy, misty bouquet, while moving in closer to the skin there is more of a boudoir passion simmering. Wearing this on a hot, humid day seems to bring out the best in it, becoming a three-dimensional bloom with a discernible myrrh surfacing. I challenge a gent to get into this one—I feel rather sexy wearing it, I must say...

Oscar de la Renta: what a name!
As a young woman, I was fascinated by its sound; a name that stood for extravagance and luxury to my German ears.
Only years later, when I read the relevant magazines "Madame" and "Harper's Bazaar" (and at the hairdresser also "Vogue"), did I realize that this name also represented elaborate gowns that were seen on many red carpets and are still true "eyecatchers" today.
A dream of evening gowns, elegant like the smart gentleman who conceived them, to adorn women in the most beautiful way.

I only became acquainted with his fragrances now and here; they emerged from the heyday of perfume culture.
From the mid-seventies, so many designer fragrances were bustling on the international stage, each with its own "fragrance fanbase."
"Oscar" as an Eau de Toilette has not been with me for too long; this scent came with a surprise package that a dear perfumist, whom I met here, prepared for me.
She knows how much I appreciated it.

I really like these fragrance-garments that adorn without much fuss and with which I can feel wonderfully well-dressed and feminine.
For certain occasions, a lightly tailored fragrance dress fits much better than a large, eye-catching gown.

"Oscar" is a classic floral chypre, to which some kitchen spices and herbs were added right from the start. So the pot with basil on the windowsill had to give up a few leaves.
So spiced up, peach and bergamot come across much more briskly.
The chypre flowers jasmine, rose, and iris receive an unexpected freshness kick from lavender and rosemary, making "Oscar" suitable for high summer!
Sunshine yellow radiates ylang-ylang and spicy broom; thus, a tastefully composed fragrance bouquet emerged.
Spicy-resinous shows the base now:
Here are gathered the classic fragrance notes that provide depth and sensuality, spreading light erotic vibrations without being clumsy or overtly obvious.
To name them all would surely be too boring; after all, each of us can read fragrance pyramids (wherever published).
Particularly noteworthy are the good dose of clove, a hint of coconut sweetness, and some additional lavender flowers, before amber lays its golden-resinous rays over the entire fragrance composition and ignites a final fireworks display!

"Oscar" is a child of its time; a time that still settles lively yet elegantly on my skin today, without appearing outdated or obsolete.
I feel a bit nostalgic as I am reminded of it:
What a life it was back then!

Thus, "Oscar" as an Eau de Toilette is a delightful fragrance garment for warm summer days, for a cozy cocktail hour at the end of the day, and always ready to dance through a mild and romantic summer night!
This enchanting "fragrance all-rounder" accompanies me for many hours with consistent friendliness.
More than one or two sprays for refreshment are not necessary!

This summer is just beginning, and I believe I will spend an entertaining, fragrant time with "Oscar."
For one thing is certain: this smart fragrance "Oscar" is always up for a flirt!

.....has been enjoying his fragrant, very contemplative existence with me for some time now.
However, many a floral chypre laments his retirement status. Unfortunately, production has been discontinued, and I managed to snag one of the last specimens at a good price.
OOOHHH, how refined this Oscar is, despite his charm.
He first pretends to be harmless, as if he couldn't hurt a fly, so innocently floral he seems. But after a short while, his true self emerges. An intense spiciness, the interplay of rose, iris, clove, and carnation. Slightly "peppery"-powdery and unabashedly seductive to the nose. With his bold presence, he is a candidate for all seasons.
But Oscar has even more to offer. He clacks around in wooden shoes (sandalwood, cedar), walks over some rough grass (vetiver), and lounges on mossy cushions, while a young tomcat (refined civet) sneaks around him.
Then he pushes a wheelbarrow full of fresh, warm potting soil to the beds to sprinkle the substrate. Dark and fragrant (patchouli)
Oscar has no intention of just lying around "doing nothing." He endures for a long time and is never intrusive.
With a gentle smile, he only bids farewell after many diligent hours.
I like him very much, even though he has a lot more going on beneath the surface.