There was a time when some manufacturers took years to launch a new perfume. Today, money (unfortunately) flows mainly into marketing. And long before the "flanker" craze, there were already offshoots of established fragrances. However, these were not - as exaggerated as today - thrown onto the market. Today, I feel almost overwhelmed and somewhat burdened!
Back then, one had the impression that a flanker version of a successful perfume not only delighted the loyal customers but also attracted new interested parties who weren't quite as fond of the main fragrance... Of course, the focus was also on making "quick" money back then, but one didn't feel that greed as strongly as today!
Rive Gauche - the name of the left bank of the Seine, the artists' district, the cafés, and the young people. Place to be and the title of YSL's prêt-à-porter fashion line, which was founded in the mid-1960s. The eponymous women's fragrance in a metal bottle - an optical revolution and with a pronounced fragrance and care line, THE perfume par excellence! A must-have for many women!
Accordingly, the idea of a men's counterpart was unthinkable, it was almost blasphemous! But decades passed, and with Tom Ford came change, a glimmer of hope, a look forward, and the forging of new paths. He completely revamped the dusty image, gave it a hefty dose of sex appeal, and adorned Opium and Rive Gauche Pour Femme with a new, lascivious campaign touch! Karen Elson did his best!
After Nu (2001) and M7 (2002), Ford launched Rive Gauche Pour Homme in 2003, the third (new) perfume under his direction! It came to market alongside the reformulated women's version and was both a homage and tribute to the original from 1971, which his mother used and loved for years!
After the men's counterpart withstood criticism and seemed to establish itself, the YSL executives (Tom Ford had long since left the company) pushed out a limited summer version in 2004, named "Rive Gauche Pour Homme Light." Admittedly, the name is a bit clumsy! This "light" version was also available in Germany, but I never spotted it in our rural areas - as is often the case! "Light" was also available as a women's version. However, both were not promoted nearly as heavily as their larger siblings! An advertising campaign showcased the two silver bottles, along with sunglasses and accessories on a pair of jeans.
The message was clear: a lighter variant for leisure activities on warm/hot (holiday) days. As a reminder: With Kouros Cologne Sport, there was already a fresh offshoot created under Tom Ford's direction, which was an early harbinger of today's sport fragrances.
To finally get to the point: RG PH Light starts with a bitter, spicy bergamot and is rounded off by a radiant mint as it progresses. This cheerful accord is accompanied by an ozonic freshness that only slightly misses the aquatic theme. In contrast, the opening of the original seems a bit dull and almost subdued. Light manages to bridge the gap to the (aldehyde) women's version with this shiny top note. Floral accents thanks to geranium.
Gradually, the familiar RG PH notes set in. Star anise enchants with a sweet, ethereal flair. Lavender contributes the characteristic fougère spiciness! Patchouli and guaiac wood reveal balsamic warmth. Yet, despite all the parallels - everything feels a bit weak - "Light" indeed. For me, it's more "even lighter"! The sillage is far below that of the original - close to the body! I perceive RG PH Light only very faintly on myself.
RG PH Light was very well made in terms of presentation and approach! However, it clearly fails in terms of longevity and performance. While the original can be consciously perceived for a solid 12 hours, the 2012 "La Collection" version also achieves a very good 10 hours! The "Light" version, on the other hand, falters miserably with just 4-5 hours!
For many, including myself, RG PH Light is simply a "watered-down" version of the original, which cannot even come close to its big brother! An "Eau de Cologne / Eau d'été," which would sound more fitting in my eyes! For Rive Gauche PH lovers, it's not a must; for all those who find the original too heavy, it offers a transparent, perhaps more accessible option.
My 10ml sample will last me a long time....or maybe not, depending on how you look at it! ;-)
Yatagan 11 years ago
Rivegauche 11 years ago