Neon Garden Dries Van Noten 2022

Actually, I don't like comparing apples to oranges or describing one perfume as a better version of another. Everything has its own peculiarities and justification - or as everything else, none at all, because luxury nonsense.

Nevertheless, I want to talk about "Dior Homme Sport (2021) | Dior," which is the last Dior fragrance by François Demachy and has therefore raised some hopes in me. If it’s not a magnum opus, then at least as an ultimate, a great fresh version of Dior Homme Intense (2011) that stays in memory. Long before Parfumo, I smelled DHI at Karstadt and was fascinated by how differently this scent smelled to me back then, so much like paper (...), I was impressed. I still like the scent today, even though I have come across some other truly impressive fragrances since then.
Sport versions appeal to me as well, whether it’s Chanel's Allure or the not-so-popular L'Homme Ideale-Aquaten for many. Sometimes it just has to be fresh, and if the much-touted DNA of a great fragrance brother is involved, perfect. Unfortunately, the last Demachy was not that at all. To my nose, it was just Ambroxan and shower water, with no trace of powderiness.

This brings me to Neon Garden. I ordered the Discovery Set to check my ambivalent hopes regarding the new perfumes from Dries van Noten. The most beautiful bottles I have seen in a long time. Incredibly nice to look at. On one hand, you want the scents to olfactorily match the visual beauty; on the other hand, given the price of the fragrances, it wouldn't be bad if they were just nice to look at but smelled terrible. Then you could save the €220 - €240.
Well, Neon Garden corresponds exactly to the bottle for me. In my opinion, it’s not the prettiest or most interesting of the ten fragrances, but it is definitely a great, solid fresh iris scent. The notes come through just as indicated, a mix of mint and iris, with a slight (and pleasant) synthetic note in the background. The neon must come from somewhere. There’s also nothing to complain about regarding longevity; I smelled like mint iris for at least six hours, and in the end, of course, a bit closer to the skin. For me, an ideal longevity, spray in the morning, and by evening you have the muse for something cozier at home.

And that’s why Neon Garden is exactly what I wished for from a sporty-fresh DHI flanker. A powdery iris scent, minus the sometimes heavy sweetness, plus a lot of freshness. The two types of mint deliver that, and Ambroxan does the rest. Whether that is worth more than €200 is something everyone can answer for themselves; should my wallet allow it someday, I would buy Neon Garden. Also to look at it again and again, as pretty as the bottle is.