V'E Versace Versace 1982 Eau de Parfum

Upon opening the bottle, I was greeted by a warm, floral, and slightly spicy scent. Spraying the perfume on my hand, I smelled fresh, green, sweet hyacinth, bittersweet green narcissus, and fresh, tea-citrusy bergamot. The heart reveals sweet, oily ylang-ylang, powdery, spicy rose, powdery, dry iris with earthy undertones, and warm, sweet jasmine with a hint of tea bitterness. The base reveals citrusy, resinous, smoky incense, warm, resinous myrrh, soft, smoky sandalwood, earthy, sweet patchouli, and a slightly salty, resinous amber.

Being that it was released in 1989, V'E was a sort of last gasp of floral chypres where the green reigns supreme. Granted, we experience a more modulated verdancy, hyacinths from perhaps several feet away, just a few snapped stems in the florist bouquet, and the green crispness is ever-so-warmed-over by honey and cream. There is a bit of tang, the sensation of biting into a not quite soft enough peach, a meadowy narcissus with a hint of pineapple, and a sweet, powdered rose on the perimeter.

V'E in EDP form is a mossy, lightly woody amber at its base, softened with heliotrope, a lingering "luxury" rosiness outline. It straddles between aloof and sensual, a mercurial sensation where "don't touch me" changes into "yes, maybe you can touch me, but not too fast." It doesn't, however, assert itself as a Diva or even a Knowing. It goes at a measured pace as it makes its way from the boardroom to the bedroom. As one of the last of the great bitter, rich beauties, it deserves a venerable spot in my historic museum-go-round of scent. Also, the bottle Thierry Lecoule designed is fab.

A narrow entrance right next to the Memorial Church, almost filled by a large staircase: above, an entire floor of music - "City Music" was the name of it all.
But on the ground floor, right next to and under the stairs: a treasure chest of scents!
Even back then, there was a 25% discount, which was quite a lot even in the DM days.
A charming saleswoman who knew her customers and was always happy to order what they wanted or at least try to.
That's how I came to own my elegant leather case with the refillable crystal bottle of "Panthère" de Cartier.

One day, when I was once again busy on Kurfürstendamm, she called out: "Come here, I have something that you will surely like!"
Of course, my curiosity drove me in; what would she offer me this time?

On the glass sales counter stood a matte black package with golden lettering "V'E Versace". Hmm, looks quite elegant!
This little gem of cardboard released a bottle: the first impression reminded me of a failed attempt by a Bauhaus student! Interesting, but ...
A spray - breathless amazement on my part!
I was good and proper yesterday! Give me this truly eccentric scent!

What made this fragrance, which the truly glamorous Gianni Versace brought to market, so extraordinary, so breathtaking?
Yes, it was floral: from the early hyacinth and daffodil, the somewhat dampening bergamot, to the reigning queens of the floral kingdom: iris, jasmine, and rose - each one majestic and passionate.
Orange blossoms bring calm to this lively, bustling floral painting - that is very good!
A little pause, good for catching my breath, until ylang-ylang intervenes with a truly golden sound as a temporary highlight!
Now the scent shines almost ethereally; a circling of golden suns begins!
A full-bodied base, mysterious and erotic, each individual component. Frankincense adds the famous dot on the i - as always a bit scratchy and rebellious!
A rollercoaster ride with many golden lights that make you feel light and just a little bit reckless.
A golden Art Nouveau goddess with flowing scent veils in a quirky Bauhaus bottle - wow!
And once again: Wow!

The longevity was simply enormous: Versace's "V'E" took possession of me and didn't let go so quickly!
It was pure madness!

I don't know the new variant. And after the experiences I had back then with the original madness, I probably don't want to get to know it either.
It would be a shame to darken this golden light of a fragrance that my memory paints for me.
Because it can't get any more beautiful: not a rare unique piece, but: très raffisante!

Yes, the mini E.d.Parfum came to me today. At first, I thought I wasn't seeing it right, but the bottle is really crooked, so it's intentional.
Very decorative..

My first spray told me? Bananas: yellow and green
well, there aren't any in there, pondering

What else do I smell? Flowers, like daffodil, hyacinth, jasmine, ylang-ylang... and a lot of them, and 1 rose.
A warm, rather dark, strong floral perfume, not a watery scent.
For the nice user who always asks about incense: no, it comes through rather weak here, it's only responsible for the background.

I stumbled upon this fragrance by chance last year and was immediately enchanted. It evokes a strong sense of well-being in me, and I can't keep my nose away from it.
I don't perceive the hyacinth very strongly (I react slightly allergic to the lively flower), beautifully nestled between bergamot and daffodil. However, it only gets better and lasts a long time on me. The floral notes in the heart are very harmoniously composed, with none standing out dominantly. And even on my skin, the incense (thankfully) is very subtle in the background.

For me, it's a fragrance that I would describe as elegant, and with it, I feel beautiful and classy.

A go-to for all seasons.