Description
“Olivier Polge crafted this Eau de Parfum as an imaginary flower — a radiant and sparkling, purely feminine Chanel blossom based on a bouquet of four white flowers: a rich, enveloping heart of exotic Jasmine shimmers with the fruity green notes of Ylang-Ylang, while fresh and sparkling Orange Blossom shines through, offering a glimpse of Grasse Tuberose captured at its finest. Four points of light that recall the four corners of the bottle.”
Top notes: mandarin, grapefruit, black currant
Heart: tuberose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, orange blossom
Base: sandalwood, musk
The new bottle and packaging, which took five years to be made, are designed by Sylvie Legastelois, head of packaging and graphic design creation. She wanted it to be jewel-like yet simple and in line with the classic bottles of the house. The square bottle is colored in a soft golden shade that transmits the light, as a symbol of the sunny character of the fragrance.
Actress Kristen Stewart is the face of the campaign that includes a film shot by director Ringan Ledwidge and a print ad lensed by Karim Sadli.
It is available as a 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum.
Gabrielle was launched in 2017.
GenericiCialis – :
Lemon and orange blossoms and neroli and tangerines.
Ylang-ylang softens the citrus and spice warms it up a bit.
I’d have thought Kristen Stewart would smell less sweetly floral than this, but there’s a certain sandalwood androgyny at the bottom that fits her mystique.
pcrisstiepeRier – :
I edited my review below. Basically, since it’s fall it works for me. I really didn’t go cray cray for this at first, but now, with the cold air billowing all around, it really lasts and smells feminine and familiar to me, so maybe wore something like this in my childhood. Obviously someone I liked. Because I really do like it, a lot. Try it again in this cool air, and see, you might just find it’s a whole other entity.
rotti2006 – :
Oh boy, this one is ignominious.
If Gabrielle Chanel was alive she would have NEVER allowed this launch. No character, passion, sophistication, or artistry in this juice. The ultimate disrespect to her persona. Please bring back Jacques Polge!
phoenix013 – :
I think a lot of people hate this perfume because of its high price and not such a long longetivity…and because it’s a very different Chanel from what we are used to.
But I must say, I Love it;) truth is that I payed just a half price cause I bought it from “second hand” – already a bit used bottle, so I don’t regret money.
It’s very elegant and very feminine version of Chanel. I love also Mademoiselle, which my partner bought me . But this one is even more elegant, better for theater or beautiful autumn dinner 🙂 I love how it smElls on my hair…and somehow my skin reacts well with this.
I recommend for those women who don’t like too much patchouli ando who look for a very feminine fragrance, not too loud but still very present and don’t regret money 🙂
Bravo_1 – :
Beautiful fragrance, light, refreshing, I truly adored every second – that was approximately 1800 as after 30 min it was a skin scent and after 2 hours completely gone. Even from clothes. Original one(airport).
Sad….
agcno – :
This one does not inspire me . I am wild about Allure EDP , Allure Sensuelle EDP, and also the QUEEN , Coco EDP . I always have those around . I find them the definition of polished perfection . They are the scents of a woman who others will likely find a classy lady .
Gabrielle simply just seems to have no warmth or anything to distinguish it . I am not sure what the effect the perfumer was trying to create. I guess I do not sense anything distinctive, and women who pay a Chanel price usually expect : a perfume that is Smooth , rich smelling , and elegant and long lasting . This one just does not get there in my opinion .
Upon reflecting , I think this perfume was an attempt to be “edgy “ and to reach a different market . Be careful what you wish for because the vast majority of women want to smell feminine and elegant , no matter what country they live in or what century they are born in.
The choice of celebrity they chose is probably not one many women would choose to emulate in terms of style ( or even good taste ) .
wiktor777 – :
The find-in-this-page function in my browser tells me the word nice appears one hundred twenty times on this page. Oops! now 121. That tells you all you need to know.
That’s all this is. Nice. Isn’t that nice? How nice. It is all just so nice. Not an adjective that ever came to mind when thinking of Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel.
Don’t get me wrong, it is quality perfume by today’s standards. The citrus is clear, the flower oils high quality, but it has no guts, no depth, no staying power. The very definition of safe for work.
I don’t think the namesake Gabrielle would think that very nice.
lebigmag – :
Disappointed.
I bought this on a whim. Usually I will test perfumes at least for a day before buying because scents really change on me, but I smelled this in Sephora right when I came out and I instantly bought it. Mistake.
I’m a tried and true Chanel au fraiche worshiper so I was wanting to find something a little more “romantic” or “sexy.” I thought I was getting that with grabrielle but unfortunately now when I try to wear it all I smell is a chemical grapefruit smell. The grapefruit is so overpowering, but it’s more like a fake grapefruit. It gives me a headache and the more I try to like it the more I dislike it.
If I hadn’t paid $100+ for it I’d just toss it. Anyone want to swap?! Lol
SHADOW_169 – :
Citruses with white florals. Uncatchy.
p.s. I’m not surprized that the new fragrance includes citruses. Like almost always by Chanel(
ahlopkos – :
This is really nice, beautiful, safe yet with a something special perfume. Classic bottle, not a screaming character of scent. Everything matches. I think it will stay calssic.
Had a sample.
alex2109698 – :
I received this as a birthday gift from my boyfriend back in April and have worn it throughout the summer. It seems to be a very well made fragrance. Classically Chanel in it’s development even if considered light and inoffensive. This is easily a signature everyday scent. The one you wear in the warm months when you want to smell professional, classy and intelligent. Perfect for work environments.
The notes pyramid describe the scent exactly. A citrus white floral with enough base notes to round it out. Nothing groundbreaking of course, but a really good example of this genre and a nice all around offering from Chanel.
derik5 – :
As someone who usually doesn’t care for many Chanel scents (I know, I know), I smelled this in Sephora and was so pleasantly surprised, I asked for a sample. After wearing it several times, my conclusion is: lovely but zero lasting power. Disappointing!
samvel…. – :
To me it smells like a warm and uplifting citrus scent. A few weeks ago I put this on at a chilly and bit windy evening. And it was a great moodlifter, so I like it for that. It also had good enough sillage and longevity as I could smell it on myself for several hours. It’s not something I feel I need to buy at the moment, especially not because of the price tag. But I do like it
makap14 – :
today i purchased 2 perfumes
Creed aventus. and gabrielle chanel.
gabrielle is just outstanding. i smell roses with tobacco.
creed aventus has just disappeared in its presence.
dzoni2022 – :
What an interesting perfume this has turned out to be for me. I’m a little late to the Chanel party but I adore the Chanels I do have and have been curious about Gabrielle since its launch. I stayed away because reviewers tend to view it as fleeting and basic.. well for me, Gabrielle is anything but those two things!
I tested it at an airport wanting to see what all the fuss was about since it seems people either love or hate Gabrielle, and it ended up being a big love for me! This fragrance reminds me very much of Curious by Britney Spears, but it actually lasts and is quite strong. Two sprays of Gabrielle lasts me all day long and then some whereas Curious lasts for like 5 minutes.
Gabrielle is a big pear-musk-ylang bomb on me. Those are literally the only 3 notes I detect and it’s the same from start to finish. Luckily I love those three notes and don’t have any perfumes like it (besides Curious) so it fits nicely into my collection.
I find this to be a very feminine and uplifting fragrance. I have a feeling I am going to be getting a LOT of use out of this cute little bottle!
zmxncbv – :
A very difficult one! On paper all the notes were so promising, especially grapefruit, orange blossom, orris and pink pepper… but on my skin is such a disaster! Why???
I tell myself wait, wait, be patient! I can’t yet say whether I like it or not much.
(My apologizes to all those who wear it and love it).
PrIzRaK_8333 – :
What is this? High standard perfumery? No way. No staying power at all. And as for the scent, All I can smell is stale grapefruit in a bland, diluted, vague and unclear olfactive stain, almost nothing really, without any structure or complexity, let alone character. I am sure the marketing will make up for that, though.
Мэйо – :
I remember buying this fragrance the day it premiered as I adore the house of Chanel, I didn’t love it immediately, but tried it in the fall, then the winter. Still felt meh about it, until ultimately I gifted it to a friend for Christmas.
SLAVIKZHENYA – :
I think most of people who likes this one doesn’t like the other chanel fragrances and vice versa . It’s very simple floral elegant and fresh yet so strong and long lasting .
raider21rus – :
There are so many reviews here that go into detail about the notes and how they come across to their noses. I won’t bother with all that. I have had this perfume for 6 months are more now and it is one of my faves! It smells so seductive to me and it last for many, many hours. I personally love the violet notes that keep coming forth. My husband loves this fragrance too and that makes it even more special to me. I spray myself before cuddling up in my nightly dressing garb and I can still smell this lovely scent on myself the next morning. It has to be well blended. I am not over-whelmed with the bottle that took 5 years to design. 😉 Something like that anyway. It is just a plain square type bottle, but it is easy to hold onto. All in all, I think I love this fragrance.
tipaskrip-rastor1985 – :
fresh? absolutely. unique? nope.
grapefruit/orange floral. Its nice, but its not something to die for. It smells safe. Want a perfume to wear to brunch, breakfast, or grocery shopping then this is it. Funeral or wedding this would be fine. Fine for everything, but thats just it – fine. If I got it as a gift I would keep it, but I will not purchase it. Now I absolutely love Coco for winter. Love! But this is just kinda meh to me. Most definitely business professional as well as casual.I would say its a 30+ year fragrance.
rhygiedge – :
It opens with a strong, warm floral and is closely followed by peach. It becomes even warmer with a sense of cinnamon and develops into a honey-nectar. I would best describe this stage as honeysuckle-cinnamon. After some time, it goes back to an enveloping, warm floral.
It makes me think of walking through a conservatory, with banana plants, orchids and wild flowers and happening upon a blossom I have never seen before. And when I lean in to smell it, this is what I receive in return.
I get it, a flower that isn’t real but imaginary. It has that quality. I love how this fragrance achieved its intention.
mumic2002 – :
The spirit of Chanel is truly alive and well.
Now, my nose is nowhere near trained enough to be able to pick out very specific notes yet, apart from a few recognisable elements. And I have to admit, my first experience with this fragrance was coloured by criticisms of other more experienced Chanel fragrance connoisseurs. “It’s not Chanel,” many have accused. Undoubtedly, that unique Chanel fragrance trait of aldehydic clouds is missing from this concoction. And I agree, it’s missing that specific element.
But what made Chanel what it is today is the daring to challenge the status quo, whether it be the first to carry a shoulder bag so your hands may be free to hold your own drinks during a soiree, or to be rid of the previously constricting corsets and layers of skirts to a silhouette of freer movement for the ladies, or crafting an iconic fragrance that would speak about this liberation of women.
Some have also accused Gabrielle of being targeted at younger ladies – and perhaps that’s true. But I find Gabrielle to be all woman, whatever her age. It’s that spirit of, not femininity (the word carries with it certain ideas that could be restrictive to one’s ideas of what a woman is and should be) but of womanhood that exists in every woman, from a young girl, to a grand dame in her 80s.
And so with Gabrielle’s entrance, out go the aldehydes, or any whiff of Chanel’s DNA. Even the bottle design is different from the rest of the main line’s female fragrance offerings.
Warmth. That is what you get from Chanel’s Gabrielle. It’s the kind of warmth that radiates from within, exuding strength and Womanhood.If I were to ascribe a feeling to the scent, it would be like walking out into the sunlight from a cold environment; that tingling sensation you get in your skin when it senses the temperature change. As if you are recharged and alive again.
On my skin, it starts with a sweetness, a heady and warm haze. Luminous. It blinds you with it, almost. Again, that first foray out into the sunlight. As your vision clears (and as the scent develops), the details slowly appear. The citrus then spikes with the grapefruit, but mellows with the mandarin. At some point, I detect the dusting of pink pepper as the musk comes into play. Apparently, Madame Chanel once said a woman shouldn’t smell of flowers. I’m pretty sure she meant the singular flowers of the fragrances before her time. When a rose was a rose, and a lily was a lily. This is a garden in full bloom, each floral dancing together in the breeze. Not a hint of green, which I appreciate in this particular composition.
Overall, I love Gabrielle. It’s beautiful, warm, even comforting. I feel confident, not in a come-hither sexiness, but in my own skin. I feel radiant (and I am, the projection on this is superb but non-beastly, and longevity is amazing even after 7 hours).
jnfhbyf – :
I keep trying this one, over and over. Every time I go to Saks I get a sample and try and try.
What am I missing? Gabrielle is not exciting, not even interesting. It’s not offensive, just not much of anything. I wanted to like this out of respect for Chanel as a house.
Maybe I am partially anosmic to something. It’s just so bland.
bmGrowing – :
This smells very, very nice and only if I could say the same thing about its longevity and projection. No matter what the SA (at the fragrance bar here in Vancouver) says about the PR and I quote ” Coco Chanel said a WOMAN should not smell like flowers but a WOMAN and the bottle was designed to look like a jewelry box so it sparkles at the edges when it touches the light. That is why it took awhile to design it. And of course spray generously”…well this smells like a bouquet of flowers and not to put a fine point to it, the bottle is clunky and at the same time flimsy. The edges are quite thin that I felt holding it, it might shutter if I drop it on hard surfaces. It is inoffensive in any situation so very versatile. The flowers here are soft but you can tell it has quality, so unlike other recent floral fragrances. If I’m going to write the blurb for this…Gabrielle beckons you…..
AleksExpert – :
I really wanted to love this. The fragrance description sounded so lovely. But its so light that I hardly smell anything at all. If you are someone who likes lighter scent you might love this one but I was a little disappointed.
Orogon9494 – :
Another review on this one. This scent is perfect in this summer heat-wave we are currently experiencing. Now it is refreshing and reveals its unique Chanel DNA, quite different from all of the aquatic-florals appropriate on hot summer days. Thumbs up!
sabonis74 – :
I think that it’s a lovely perfume.soft jasmin and citrus. I think it’s great for spring and summer when you don’t want a heavy sweet scent. I got this a couple of months ago but I really started to enjoy it about a 2 months ago when the weather started warming up. It’s just a beautiful scent.
pzs040speagoessenda – :
Light floral and quite mainstream borderline for a CHANEL ! A well done fragrance if you like to be seen as a generic and safe person ! Still there are better options …with better prices .
sva275speagoessenda – :
Not so bad, but definitely lacks personality and fun. It smells like what I would imagine a perfume would smell like, very generic.
I would say it’s Coco Mademoiselle mixed with n5 but not in an ideal way.
mariyam – :
Basic. Unoriginal. Smells like the combination of all designer perfumes on the market. Doesn’t smell bad – just nothing special, nothing new.
y_grechanov – :
At first spray it was nice with all the notes performing well. After 8 hours, I smelled the sandalwood and white musk. After quite using it, the fragrance’ longevity became very short to 3 hours with a boring tuberose paper like smell. The tuberose is sick. Its not floral. Poor.
Igoryan1993 – :
Gabrielle is an exquisite fragrance but Chanel should work on its longevity and package design. How often do fragrance companies reformulate their perfumes without letting us know, so Chanel should improve the longevity of Gabrielle which is indeed quite weak as many Fragranticans rightly mentioned here. I love the bottle design and don’t mind that it reminds a bit of Azzaro Chrome as it perfectly enhances the radiance of this scent. But the package design is quite boring. I imagine a packaging that is coloured in very light yellow or eggshell covered with a black art deco design in small black stripes. A modern 21st century scent with a reminiscence of the era Coco Chanel was a young woman and was then called Gabrielle. Though all Chanel perfumes have a unicoloured design why not take a new step here? The Chance series left the quadrangular bottle design for a round one and succeeded… Chanel, do you hear me???
zxcvb1z – :
Light bright floral citrus that I bought for summer days. The light florals do not bother me during a mild migraine. I sprayed this after a shower and sat on my porch to be greeted nose to beak by a hummingbird, twice. Amazing. Today my co-worker said someone smells like flowers and wanted to know the name of my perfume. Gabrielle seems to be a hit with the office, headache sufferers, and hummingbirds.
ddemon – :
Speaking of body chemistry. I caught a whiff of some truly delightful floral from a colleague, who is a kooky girl as far removed from a Stepford wife as possible (LOVE the Pandarapt’s review down the line), and was astounded to hear that she was wearing Gabrielle. I am the one, after all, who called Gabrielle illegitimate and could not reconcile with her even after so many trials on paper and on skin. I am still not tripping all over myself to get me a bottle and I don’t think I ever will (31RdC, 28 La Pausa, No22, Sycomore and Bois des Iles for me, please) but at least I get now the Chanel’s philosophy behind Gabrielle, or at least I think I do. Chanel will line their pockets with Gabrielle’s sales eventually.
stusereInsiger – :
Bitter citrus. Bright, refreshing citrus with a bitter undertone. I rather like it. Refreshing, but not without backbone.
shved19751 – :
Wow, many reviews! I tried in store at release. It lingered until the next day. In a good way. Wasn’t sure I’d ever buy a bottle, and still am not, there are my other Chanel’s that I reach for daily, so many others just sit. I’m stuck on the Chanel and Guerlain houses. To the point, it’s nice enough, if you didn’t know the label, and you maybe are not the greatest perfumista, you might guess it is a Chanel. I have a sample, will use here and there, and then decide. My husband isn’t fond of it, but I think I’ll get a bottle soon. So, for what’s it worth, without a litany of stories, I’d say, just give it a try at first. You never really know, ever……if it will work on you. This is the surest thing I know.
EDT:
I tried this again today, now that the cold crisp air is again biting, and there is a difference always for me between summer and winter scents. I have a hard time finding a good summer scent, I went L’eau all summer. Transitioning into Guerlain L’Instant, it’s really a safe fall fragrance for me. But I have decided since I tried this today, those who say it doesn’t last, maybe try it now? I don’t know, everybody has different DNA, so this definitely is a winner for me for right now. And I am going to buy a FB.
messi1979 – :
I’m surprised at the number of votes that says it’s similar to Hermes Jour. I own both and they are not the same at all. Hermes is citrusy and musky, Gabrielle is citrusy and sweet. If you like sweeter scent then go for Gabrielle. On my skin, it lasted 2hours before I need to respray again, usually 4 sprays at one application. Hermes has longer lasting power as compared.
Raiderr – :
Day 1 2 and 3
I don’t know what people are talking about when they say that this doesn’t have longevity. It has a magnificent dry down that I can smell at 6 to 8 hours. a very clean dry down – so if you’re looking for a clean scent or freshly showered or clean laundry this is the scent for you.
Office and church safe.
It’s very nice.
Pandarapt’s review below is spot-on.
GordiS – :
Disappointing. It smells fresh but confused when you spray it on but but just doesn’t have mileage beyond that first few sniffs. Just a waste of money, doesn’t even feel like an Eau de Parfum.
Give me Chanel No5 over this anyday.
Shar.pei – :
It’s too bad so many folks seem disappointed in this. Personally, I think it’s beautiful! I received a sample of this perfume in the mail from Chanel and was impressed. I agree with reviewers who don’t think this fragrance is particularly daring or unique, but in my opinion it is classy and elegant. Pairs beautifully with a chic black dress. I ended up purchasing the smallest bottle and intend to use it for special occasions, or when the mood hits me. It’s a warm, creamy, almost smoky floral that I truly believe is appropriate year-round. I have certain perfumes in my collection that I only wear either in warm weather or cold weather, but this one is transcendent.
My husband, who is not a fan of floral perfumes in general, actually compliments this one when I wear it. He never says a thing about my other floral loves, like Chloe EDP and Love Story. His approval probably had a factor in my purchase of Gabrielle.
I’m also curious where the extra notes in the perfume pyramid come from? This fragrance is described as featuring jasmine, ylang ylang, orange blossom, and grasse tuberose. Where are the notes like pear and pink pepper coming from?
7/4/18: Edited to add that I disagree with the complaints of poor longevity. If I spray this on at 9 in the morning, I can still smell it after 5. So I would say it lasts 8+ hours on my skin. My Chloe EDP is easily 12+ hours, so Gabrielle won’t win the longevity contest against perfumes like that, but it’s still a good performance.
soymnamaphy – :
It’s such a disappointment. Well Chanel just copied the fragrance idea when somebody thought of it first anyway. They thought I didn’t know. Well I did. It’s supposed to be an eau de parfum but its longevity is just 3 hours. Little sour citrus opening, then settles into a paperlike smell with no distinctive dry down. It is so cheap and boring for a 120 dollar fragrance.
The tuberose can’t be detected because the technique used in getting its scent is wrong. Polge used steam distillation to the tuberose which ruined the flower. It has to be enfleurage.
I made my own version of it and its better compared to Gabrielle.
It’s strictly just a body spray not an Eau de Parfum.
Poor Chanel.
pulsar – :
I believe on understanding things can takes time but once we get to it then we will appreciate things even more than we thought we wanted or could. No secret no brainer that every fragrance needs to meet the right person to actually understands it.
When I sniff Gabrielle the first time on last winter, it caught me by surprise in a good way, did not buy it right away but the scent on my wrist lingered for almost a full day, it made me think of it till the point I knew I was getting one sooner or later.
And now, 2 months I have been faithfully engaging myself to Gabrielle, nothing I could have asked more from Gabrielle, it’s a beautiful scent, it is bright, fresh, yet it is a warm, enough portion of sweetness, a little creamy in a way, easily can be a signature scent, expensive smell that’s for sure….it’s beautiful!
It is bright, modern but also elegant & sophisticated, in my opinion Gabrielle can be worn in any season at any time of the day, there’s some ‘freshness’ that is great inoffensive scent for daily wear but also there’s a warmth & sensual vibe to it that makes it suitable to be worn for night time as well (sandalwood + musk?).
Most of the time people connects romantic and sensual with roses or something smoky, for me Gabrielle can be just that as much as how we want to feel romantic & sensual while wearing it. All about chemistry, all about attitude, all about understanding.
I feel so lucky! on my skin the sillage is amazing! and it stays for little more than 8 hours, something about Gabrielle keeps me engaged to it and loving it every single time I wear it.
Each fragrance has a beauty of its’ own, I am proud wearing this beautiful creation, appreciate it more and more.
Gabrielle, she’s independent, she’s friendly, she likes to hugs people with her warmth, she makes people smile, and people loves her.
schwarzes – :
Quite a boring scent. On me, the longevity and silage were poor.
Not an unpleasant scent, just not very interesting. Doesn’t make a statement.
Agentkent90 – :
No matter how many times I’ve tested Gabrielle, it hasn’t left an impression. I love the notes, the magic other people describe, the newness… but it doesn’t inspire me when I smell it, and I don’t remember anything about it later. So this one is not for me.
ETA: I love Gucci Bloom, which has a much simpler pyramid of similar notes (orange – tuberose/jasmine – vanilla/sandalwood). Chalk it up to chemistry?
alexbk2009 – :
This really smells like a newer version of Christal and I like it..
Eau de Grabrielle..
5220923 – :
Gabrielle has some of the classic Chanel DNA, but otherwise it’s like a lot of the fragrances out there today. It’s not off-putting in any way, but it’s also not very intriguing either. It’s just….nice. Generically likeable. Doesn’t rock the boat. Follows the rules. Stays in the background. I think Chanel missed the mark naming this Gabrielle. It sets up people’s expectations for some masterpiece when the real Gabrielle Chanel’s personality does not match this particular offering.
If you want a more youthful take on the classic No 5, try Eau Premiere! It’s terrific and my favorite Chanel!
As for longevity/strength….let’s just say that 10 hours ago I put on Jo Malone English Pear and 2 hours ago I put on this. Right now English Pear is out doing Gabrielle.
dimentiy79 – :
Surprised to see this at Shoppers (Canadian) so had to smell it. In the first five minutes, it reminded me of N°5 with something earthy (dirt). After thirty minutes, on me it morphed into jasmine-ylang ylang-orange blossom with musk punched with citrus. It tries to stay classic but with a twist of modern in the same vein as Florabotanica. In my mind, this is worn by a classy woman at the end of her career and knows her mind. As time passes, the scent becomes more softer and wearable but do I want to wait an hour before being able to enjoy it? Maybe I am not yet that woman at the end of her career.
One spray on me:
Sillage: a foot
Longevity: an hour or two
Rating: 2/5
SaTaNa_RUS – :
I have to admit I am of the group who are a bit dissappointed by Gabrielle, I was hoping to be blown away but I guess that is just showing how fantastic their fragrances are. There is one thing I wanted to mention that is really confusing and that is the way some are describing this, I guess it is very individual like other Chanel fragrances. When I smell Gabrielle I get a huge hit of tuberose. I don’t get a lot of zestyness to it though I would say that after the tuberose impact there is those underlying notes. It smells a lot like Michael Kors Michael Kors to me. I would say if you like that or perhaps Fracas, Madonna Truth or Dare, then you would probably like Gabrielle.
tolyanu465 – :
I’m a little amused by all the reviews complaining that this perfume smells nice. LOL! Yes, this is a good Chanel choice for those who don’t like the other Chanel fragrances. It has the quality of Chanel, but it smells pretty enough to have mass appeal.
WJoqnQ – :
Is Gabrielle objectively horrible? No. Is it stomach-turning, nose-flaring, reach-for-the-bucket “oh dear” “wtf” am-I-smelling stink-a-fest? Absolutely not. This isn’t Secretions Magnifiques, it is a most appeasing, rather pretty floral, the opposite of that legendary odorous nefariousness.
So why so many dislikes? Because it is just it. It is very agreeable. Too agreeable. Gabrielle, bless her heart, is so perfectly pretty, pleasant and innocuous, so willing to make you like her and be nice, that you just want her perfectly scrubbed face to have a freckle, her impecable mannerisms to take a gauche turn or the self-taught affectations to have a break and go awry. Whatever makes her pop a little out of the crowd.
You want her to make a statement, speak a little louder when her overbearing mother Chanel No.5 tells her to stand straight, maybe develop an unsuitable conviction (or relationship) that makes her flex herself out of banality and have more of a character like her big sister Chanel no.19 with all of her aloof independence, that languorous femme fatale Coco, her deceivingly girly tomboy cousin Coco Mademoiselle, or even her unapologetic standoffish and sometimes abrasive mother, Chanel No. 5.
Instead, Gabrielle’s social graces were polished until no traces of her own personality were to be found, sent to Finishing School to be finished, and so she became the Stepford Wife of that wonderful strong-willed lineage. Kinda sad, and a let down because of the Chanel last name.
hja740Negeltzex – :
The first time I smelled Gabrielle I felt let down. The hype around it had been so great I was expecting something that would blow me away and make every other perfume disappear from my mind but it wasn’t so. Gabrielle is sparkly, elegant, not offensive, and not something that will stand out in a crowd or in your own memory, probably. Still, I got a sample and on days when I was not sure how I wanted to smell like or what kind of impression I wanted to give I would wear it and enjoy it. Then life brought me to a point where I actively wanted to just be okay with myself, I got tired of worrying about what I wanted to communicate, or what impression I needed to give, I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t want anyone’s opinion about my life and what I Should do or don’t do with it… and I understood Gabrielle, and Gabrielle understands me. I think that other perfumes might tell an extraordinary tale, but Gabrielle is about self-honesty. Maybe other people won’t like you very much, they won’t care to understand you, maybe they are attracted by the flashy, loud type that it’s constantly hitting over their head like a hammer, that’s fine, but that doesn’t make you any less beautiful or worthy. Gabrielle is subtle, it grows on you, it will let you express yourself without erasing you under her own life. Gabrielle is a companion on a journey to self-discovery you can only truly appreciate when the moment is right. And when you are the right person for it.
n1ce boy – :
I happen to like Gabrielle. Maybe because I am not an experienced perfume lover. Maybe because I know nothing about Chanel. I guess I am the target buyer then. And I don’t see why I should be ashamed of that – I enjoy Gabrielle and it makes me want to see what else is offered by Chanel and explore more. I love white flowers, yet in most perfumes they are tiring. Not in this one though, which is amazing!
From the first sniff I am sure it is not a ground breaking, original fragrance that turned my world around and addicted me. No, this one is more subtle. Femine. Delicate. It doesn’t stand out. It just blooms, like the flower, somewhere in the background. Love it and get a fuzzy relaxed feeling in my heart. In fact, it is hard to find a person who would really hate this safe floral – except for those who already had some expectiations about Chanel, or maybe those who hate white florals. I am neither one of them, so I like it. And the more I sniff it, the more I consider buying it.
Yeah, it’s not a crazy perfume that will separate you from the crowd. And that is okay, sometimes scents like that are needed/good – especially in public places, work places and so on. It is pleasant, safe scent.
I would describe it as soapy floral that reminds me of Dove Soap with an exotic twist thanks to Ylang-ylang. I would need to experiment wit