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My Personal Time Travel - The Most Beautiful Are the Italians!
Over 20 years ago, I lived in Rome. How I got there is another long story.
I experienced many adventures there that could have come straight out of a Fellini film. Including wild escapes and chases through all of Rome by a jealous Roman or a bank robbery right in front of my eyes. And much more. However, I loved this city and the people there. The Romans are still a special people, full of zest for life. They love the beautiful things in life: time with friends, music: opera, good food, fashion, and beautiful clothing. I especially appreciate Italian furniture and lamp design and am a big fan of the great Achille Castiglioni. Then the Italians, in addition to having the best ice cream in the world and the most beautiful shoes, also have the vast world of fragrances.
For me personally, Italian fragrances are among the most beautiful in the world, and they were my entry into this olfactory universe. I still remember my then (unlike today;-) manageable collection very well. There were, if I think back consciously today, almost only Italians - on my mirror and makeup table stood: Teatro alla Scala by Krizia, Fendi by Fendi, Rare by Jacomo (the only exception, could have been Italian in craftsmanship), Gucci No1 by Gucci, Armani by Armani, the enchanting and then very expensive spring fragrance Blumarine by Blumarine, and the dearly loved, beautiful, and timeless Valentino by Valentino, which I still own and love.
Last but not least, there was the fragrance I discovered in southern Italy on Ischia. It was Luciano Soprani by Luciano Soprani. I still remember how it caught my eye in an exclusive perfumery, the beautiful, puristic, and elegant bottle spoke directly to me: try me, you won't regret it, and that's exactly what I did!
It was different from the fragrances I had; today I would say bold! I liked it immediately, it suited me. I wore it often, and along with the aforementioned, it was one of my favorite fragrances.
Many years have passed, and I had almost completely forgotten it; surely the fact that it is very hard to find and almost invisible helped with that, even in Italy, you have to search for a long time before you find it. Although still in production, it is very rare.
I had the perfume in a rectangular bottle in my possession.
Through the Parfumo forum, I remembered it again (thank you!), started searching, and I found it on the well-known marketplace. There was also the same perfume bottle, but relatively expensive with shipping from Italy; then I saw a German supplier offering Eau de Toilette (at the time I had it, there was only the perfume) 100 ml for a very moderate price of €32.90. I thought to myself, I'll try this first before I plunge into expenses for a fragrance that I might not even like anymore today. It wasn't clear if it was really the one; the packaging was indeed puristic white with gray writing just like back then, but the shape of the bottle was round - I wasn't sure.
Today it arrived. And... it is it, it really is!!! I feel transported back in time! I feel the warm and mild air of Rome on my skin, see the 7 hills, the pine trees, the cypress trees, the acacias, stroll along the Via Appia, eat ice cream at Piazza Navona, go out for pizza with Italian friends and later dance in Trastevere. I drink Prosecco, laugh a lot, and yes, I also flirt with a handsome Roman with black hair and green, laughing eyes.
But how is this forgotten Italian now? Do I still like it? Can I wear it, does it still suit me? Now that I am a different woman, who sometimes only vaguely remembers the carefree girl from back then...
Yes, it is still beautiful! Even if a child of its time (so use sparingly), it is an elegant, fruity, floral, warm, and very feminine fragrance. Not a chypre!
Very complex in its components, and it is hard to say whether the mandarin is more reminiscent of orange, whether the rose or the tuberose dominates, whether the lily of the valley resonates. Everything is very well composed, making it difficult to determine the individual components and notes. I can say with certainty that I do not smell civet (which I do not like). There is nothing animalic in it. Amber rounds off the fragrance, sandalwood makes it more sensual. Aldehydes are very restrained, with no association to Chanel.
The EDT has such a strong sillage and longevity that it comes very close to the EDP. By today's standards of intensity, it is like EDP.
It is definitely like a bold and attentive Italian lover who does something good and important for a woman: highlighting her femininity. And that is ultimately what I expect from a good fragrance!
No, even after 20 years, it does not disappoint me; it is no longer the impetuous and uncritical love of back then, I know more beautiful, better, and more interesting fragrances now, many (how could it be otherwise? :-) from Italy.
But I still like it very much. Because it is beautiful and unique in its kind. And time has not been able to change that.
I experienced many adventures there that could have come straight out of a Fellini film. Including wild escapes and chases through all of Rome by a jealous Roman or a bank robbery right in front of my eyes. And much more. However, I loved this city and the people there. The Romans are still a special people, full of zest for life. They love the beautiful things in life: time with friends, music: opera, good food, fashion, and beautiful clothing. I especially appreciate Italian furniture and lamp design and am a big fan of the great Achille Castiglioni. Then the Italians, in addition to having the best ice cream in the world and the most beautiful shoes, also have the vast world of fragrances.
For me personally, Italian fragrances are among the most beautiful in the world, and they were my entry into this olfactory universe. I still remember my then (unlike today;-) manageable collection very well. There were, if I think back consciously today, almost only Italians - on my mirror and makeup table stood: Teatro alla Scala by Krizia, Fendi by Fendi, Rare by Jacomo (the only exception, could have been Italian in craftsmanship), Gucci No1 by Gucci, Armani by Armani, the enchanting and then very expensive spring fragrance Blumarine by Blumarine, and the dearly loved, beautiful, and timeless Valentino by Valentino, which I still own and love.
Last but not least, there was the fragrance I discovered in southern Italy on Ischia. It was Luciano Soprani by Luciano Soprani. I still remember how it caught my eye in an exclusive perfumery, the beautiful, puristic, and elegant bottle spoke directly to me: try me, you won't regret it, and that's exactly what I did!
It was different from the fragrances I had; today I would say bold! I liked it immediately, it suited me. I wore it often, and along with the aforementioned, it was one of my favorite fragrances.
Many years have passed, and I had almost completely forgotten it; surely the fact that it is very hard to find and almost invisible helped with that, even in Italy, you have to search for a long time before you find it. Although still in production, it is very rare.
I had the perfume in a rectangular bottle in my possession.
Through the Parfumo forum, I remembered it again (thank you!), started searching, and I found it on the well-known marketplace. There was also the same perfume bottle, but relatively expensive with shipping from Italy; then I saw a German supplier offering Eau de Toilette (at the time I had it, there was only the perfume) 100 ml for a very moderate price of €32.90. I thought to myself, I'll try this first before I plunge into expenses for a fragrance that I might not even like anymore today. It wasn't clear if it was really the one; the packaging was indeed puristic white with gray writing just like back then, but the shape of the bottle was round - I wasn't sure.
Today it arrived. And... it is it, it really is!!! I feel transported back in time! I feel the warm and mild air of Rome on my skin, see the 7 hills, the pine trees, the cypress trees, the acacias, stroll along the Via Appia, eat ice cream at Piazza Navona, go out for pizza with Italian friends and later dance in Trastevere. I drink Prosecco, laugh a lot, and yes, I also flirt with a handsome Roman with black hair and green, laughing eyes.
But how is this forgotten Italian now? Do I still like it? Can I wear it, does it still suit me? Now that I am a different woman, who sometimes only vaguely remembers the carefree girl from back then...
Yes, it is still beautiful! Even if a child of its time (so use sparingly), it is an elegant, fruity, floral, warm, and very feminine fragrance. Not a chypre!
Very complex in its components, and it is hard to say whether the mandarin is more reminiscent of orange, whether the rose or the tuberose dominates, whether the lily of the valley resonates. Everything is very well composed, making it difficult to determine the individual components and notes. I can say with certainty that I do not smell civet (which I do not like). There is nothing animalic in it. Amber rounds off the fragrance, sandalwood makes it more sensual. Aldehydes are very restrained, with no association to Chanel.
The EDT has such a strong sillage and longevity that it comes very close to the EDP. By today's standards of intensity, it is like EDP.
It is definitely like a bold and attentive Italian lover who does something good and important for a woman: highlighting her femininity. And that is ultimately what I expect from a good fragrance!
No, even after 20 years, it does not disappoint me; it is no longer the impetuous and uncritical love of back then, I know more beautiful, better, and more interesting fragrances now, many (how could it be otherwise? :-) from Italy.
But I still like it very much. Because it is beautiful and unique in its kind. And time has not been able to change that.
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The Japanese Empress on an unofficial visit to Italy
Like so many others here, I took some samples with me on vacation. Among others: Les Impératrices Japonaises.
The scent itself was not entirely unfamiliar to me, as I had tried it once before my departure - however, it had never enveloped me, so we were not familiar with each other.
Our friendship began on the picturesque coastline of Liguria. It was not love at first sight, nor on the second, as the Japanese empresses are somewhat shy, reserved, not particularly eloquent, and keep themselves covered for a long time, but my fascination grew.
By now, the empress feels as comfortable in Italy at high temperatures as if she were born here, enjoying (and I with her) the Mediterranean landscape and the warmth and openness of the Italians.
But what is she like, this mysterious aristocrat from the far East?
Our empress starts relatively fresh and fruity with a lightly muted freesia accord, minimal and restrained melon, and subtle ylang-ylang.
Then follows a floral foundation, with the iris maintaining the dominant role throughout.
The whole thing is rounded off at the end with light woody nuances.
What remains is a beautifully warm, delicate, intriguing, elegant, and understated powdery iris scent that I no longer want to miss. The beauty of this fragrance is of a simple yet striking kind and somewhat "retro." In a broad sense, it reminds me of Misia and Mitsouko.
I have invited the empress to Austria (as she has grown very dear to me) and hope she will feel comfortable here with me (and I with her).
The scent itself was not entirely unfamiliar to me, as I had tried it once before my departure - however, it had never enveloped me, so we were not familiar with each other.
Our friendship began on the picturesque coastline of Liguria. It was not love at first sight, nor on the second, as the Japanese empresses are somewhat shy, reserved, not particularly eloquent, and keep themselves covered for a long time, but my fascination grew.
By now, the empress feels as comfortable in Italy at high temperatures as if she were born here, enjoying (and I with her) the Mediterranean landscape and the warmth and openness of the Italians.
But what is she like, this mysterious aristocrat from the far East?
Our empress starts relatively fresh and fruity with a lightly muted freesia accord, minimal and restrained melon, and subtle ylang-ylang.
Then follows a floral foundation, with the iris maintaining the dominant role throughout.
The whole thing is rounded off at the end with light woody nuances.
What remains is a beautifully warm, delicate, intriguing, elegant, and understated powdery iris scent that I no longer want to miss. The beauty of this fragrance is of a simple yet striking kind and somewhat "retro." In a broad sense, it reminds me of Misia and Mitsouko.
I have invited the empress to Austria (as she has grown very dear to me) and hope she will feel comfortable here with me (and I with her).
3 Comments
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Ceremonial Final Path ....
Very rarely do I get a headache from a fragrance, very rarely do I reject a scent, and very rarely do I give only 20%
Here with Oud Imperial by Perris Monte Carlo is such a case
Because I do not want to smell like this and would not want to gift this fragrance to anyone!
For what comes olfactorily is: Cemetery, Mold, Death - and a very gloomy funeral!
A ceremonial mass with a lot of incense, a full old, damp, and moldy church with mourners dressed in black and dark gray and loud bell ringing.
Then the final path, past an old cemetery wall, the priest raises the censer and swings it twice forward, to the right, and to the left. The mourners follow the procession to the already dug grave. Tears flow and mix with the rain. The coffin is adorned with flowers: with the somewhat inconspicuous Aquilegia vulgaris, with some jasmine, and with chrysanthemums.
Then the damp earth comes onto the coffin.
This fragrance is, so to speak, the final path! Harold and Maude would surely enjoy it, as would Nosferatu - I do not! :-)
Here with Oud Imperial by Perris Monte Carlo is such a case
Because I do not want to smell like this and would not want to gift this fragrance to anyone!
For what comes olfactorily is: Cemetery, Mold, Death - and a very gloomy funeral!
A ceremonial mass with a lot of incense, a full old, damp, and moldy church with mourners dressed in black and dark gray and loud bell ringing.
Then the final path, past an old cemetery wall, the priest raises the censer and swings it twice forward, to the right, and to the left. The mourners follow the procession to the already dug grave. Tears flow and mix with the rain. The coffin is adorned with flowers: with the somewhat inconspicuous Aquilegia vulgaris, with some jasmine, and with chrysanthemums.
Then the damp earth comes onto the coffin.
This fragrance is, so to speak, the final path! Harold and Maude would surely enjoy it, as would Nosferatu - I do not! :-)
8 Comments
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Invigorating, tipsy - Flower Power
For lovers of spring-like white floral scents, this is the right choice!
A mature, fresh white floral beautiful fragrance with a hint of ozone pepper.
It is primarily floral, minimally fruity, with pronounced green accents and has a gentle woody finish. Ideal for summer and spring.
Energetic and buoyant - tipsy, without stumbling ;-)
It somewhat reminds me of 5th Avenue by Arden without the slightly bitter closing accord.
The longevity is excellent, the sillage strong, and the price unbeatable.
Conclusion: An incredibly good price-performance ratio and a fragrance that can absolutely compete in quality with expensive scents.
Addendum: By the way, you can still get it, for example at Am....n, and it doesn’t look like it has been discontinued, elegant, modern bottle and stylish contemporary packaging.
A mature, fresh white floral beautiful fragrance with a hint of ozone pepper.
It is primarily floral, minimally fruity, with pronounced green accents and has a gentle woody finish. Ideal for summer and spring.
Energetic and buoyant - tipsy, without stumbling ;-)
It somewhat reminds me of 5th Avenue by Arden without the slightly bitter closing accord.
The longevity is excellent, the sillage strong, and the price unbeatable.
Conclusion: An incredibly good price-performance ratio and a fragrance that can absolutely compete in quality with expensive scents.
Addendum: By the way, you can still get it, for example at Am....n, and it doesn’t look like it has been discontinued, elegant, modern bottle and stylish contemporary packaging.
2 Comments
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The Subtle and Gentle Beauty of Vanilla
Thanks to a nice perfumer here on this forum, I received a sample of this fragrance among others.
Since it was a surprise sample and I previously knew nothing about this scent or Fragonard, I approached the smelling experiment completely unprejudiced.
I dripped the perfume onto my skin, and immediately a very pleasant scent greeted me, which I liked right away. Now I was curious to see how it would develop.
Fleur de vanille is very refined without appearing forced: the dark chocolate, rose, ylang-ylang, and citrus fruits are perfectly and harmoniously balanced, with an incredible lightness to it all.
The development of the fragrance on my skin is very coherent; nothing irritates the nose here, the citrus notes remain very much in the background. Warm, soft, and elegant, it unfolds and radiates a straightforward coziness.
After a while, a slightly smoky, almondy, subtle, and somewhat mysterious vanilla remains. At no point is it boring (which often happens with vanilla scents). Slightly erotic... and gentle. Not artificial, not too sweet. Simply perfect!
Vanilla scent and its interpretation in its most beautiful form. I am thrilled!!!
And I decide: I must have this fragrance! No matter the cost! (It smells like a very good and expensive niche fragrance, so I have already sacrificed my piggy bank ;-)
After I found the company’s website and saw what it costs, namely a two-digit amount starting with 2 and ending with 5 for 100ml, I immediately ordered it, happy to have spared my wallet so much :-)
Now that I have the bottle, I can say after wearing it several times that it absolutely delivers what it promised for me.
I am often approached about this fragrance and gladly share “the secret.”
Let Fragonard gain more customers from Austria and be rewarded for such a fantastic scent at an unbeatable price.
Furthermore, I am ensuring that it is not discontinued!!! :-)
Can men wear it too? Certainly, if they enjoy subtle, gentle, vanilla, and not overly masculine scents, they will like it very much.
Since it was a surprise sample and I previously knew nothing about this scent or Fragonard, I approached the smelling experiment completely unprejudiced.
I dripped the perfume onto my skin, and immediately a very pleasant scent greeted me, which I liked right away. Now I was curious to see how it would develop.
Fleur de vanille is very refined without appearing forced: the dark chocolate, rose, ylang-ylang, and citrus fruits are perfectly and harmoniously balanced, with an incredible lightness to it all.
The development of the fragrance on my skin is very coherent; nothing irritates the nose here, the citrus notes remain very much in the background. Warm, soft, and elegant, it unfolds and radiates a straightforward coziness.
After a while, a slightly smoky, almondy, subtle, and somewhat mysterious vanilla remains. At no point is it boring (which often happens with vanilla scents). Slightly erotic... and gentle. Not artificial, not too sweet. Simply perfect!
Vanilla scent and its interpretation in its most beautiful form. I am thrilled!!!
And I decide: I must have this fragrance! No matter the cost! (It smells like a very good and expensive niche fragrance, so I have already sacrificed my piggy bank ;-)
After I found the company’s website and saw what it costs, namely a two-digit amount starting with 2 and ending with 5 for 100ml, I immediately ordered it, happy to have spared my wallet so much :-)
Now that I have the bottle, I can say after wearing it several times that it absolutely delivers what it promised for me.
I am often approached about this fragrance and gladly share “the secret.”
Let Fragonard gain more customers from Austria and be rewarded for such a fantastic scent at an unbeatable price.
Furthermore, I am ensuring that it is not discontinued!!! :-)
Can men wear it too? Certainly, if they enjoy subtle, gentle, vanilla, and not overly masculine scents, they will like it very much.
1 Comment
