Description
Fidji stands for the name of the islands located in southern part of the Pacific. Just there, on one of the Fidji islands (where the managers of the house were at their vacation), the idea of first Guy Laroche perfume was born. Fidji has become incredibly popular, because it is the perfume from the sunny islands, far and attractive. The fresh wave of galbanum, hyacinth, lemon, bergamot and meet the floral heart across rose, jasmine, violet, ylang-ylang. Spicy floral nuance of carnation gives its harshness and makes the character of the composition stronger. The base is combined of: musk, patchouli, sandal, amber, vetiver, moss.
The perfume was made by Josephine Catapano in 1966.
iris,Galbanum,Hiacynth,Bergamot,Lemon,Tuberose,Violet,Orris Root,Jasmine,Cloves,Ylang-Ylang,Rose,Spicy Notes,Aldehydes,Sandalwood,Amber,Patchouli,Musk,Oakmoss,Vetiver,resins
ivanhohlov.don – :
Another fragrance from my youth- made me feel grown-up and glam – I will always love it
BOOTTANALTY – :
A fragrance from my youth. Soft, woody and flowery… and a LOT like L´air du temps as other reviews also says. Silage and longevity are moderate. The scent is descrete, feminine and fragile. Fidji I have loved you for many years … I think we` ll never grow apart.
ManEZH – :
One of my youth fragrances: Ma Griffe in Winter and Fidji in Summer. Simple, magnificent.
KCqodyS – :
I got a sample of vintage Fidji from theperfumedcourt. Fidji starts off as a soapy aldehyde. It then becomes more powdery as the iris comes out, but without the dirty diaper vibe that is often with powdery scents. After several hours, the sandalwood starts to show as most of the top mid notes fades away. It’s well balanced and soft. It’s unlike other soapy or powdery perfumes of our time, but doesn’t feel outdated either.
Serg119 – :
This is my sultrier version of L’air du temps. I love this scent initial blast is like savlon disinfectant but once it melds into my skin it is gorgeous. A spicy fruity aldehydic scent which gives a melancholic end of summer vibe as opposed to a pina colada tropical feel. Stunning wearable for any occasion and timeless.
Jinsoman – :
Don’t remember where, don’t remember how… but growing up there was a mini of this in my parents’ bedroom, and when I tested it, I was like “Pieew!!”
Now I’m older, I might try it again… maybe with a different reaction?
печатник – :
This is one of my mom’s favorite fragrances. She really loves it.
I have vintage version now. It smells lemon, galbanum, hyacinth, iris, vetiver, oakmoss and sandalwood. Kinda retro. But I’m feeling myself like on the tropical island.
I love this fragrance!!!
RTCiffWrell – :
Fidji Eau de Toilette
Purchased on eBay
The white box with the Fidji name and Guy Laroche logo containing the EDT spray is a refreshing after shower splash for me. I keep this lovely bottle in my bathroom. I have a his and her bathroom set at my Nashville home. My bathroom has more than one after shower splash and fragrance.
Fidji comes off as rather passé in today’s fragrance industry and market because it’s an aldehyde floral, underrated and not as ‘up there’ with other classic aldehydes as Chanel No 5 Arpege or First Van Cleef & Arpels. But it’s a beauty. Fresh florals, green notes of galbanum, patchouli, vetiver, oak moss, and a base of sandalwood, cloves, powdery iris and clean musk. All in all it’s a classically formulated fragrance with a soapy and fresh feminine scent.
Opens with aldehydes; quite cool and clean, with a light citrus trailing behind. It’s a fresh bergamot orange scent but it has a short life before it develops into a violet. To me there’s quite a lot of the purplish flowers in this thing. Violet, hyacinth, iris. These three floral ladies are the major notes as far as florals go. They smell quite powdery. But the florals that are in the background are rose and jasmine, ylang. This is not a tropical or exotic island scent as the name would suggest. It’s quite domesticated, not dull, but definitely a lady that does not go to Fidji and doesn’t wear bikinis. She stays at home and raises her children, like me.
The florals are exquisite and long lasting in their aroma. But before long the flowers fade into the background and the woodsy notes and green notes take over. There’s vetiver and oak moss, galbanum and patchouli, all mixed up together and turning green. This is not as big a chypre as other chypres however when compared to such frags as Vent Vert (Balmain) Ivoire de Balmain, Chanel No 19. Instead this green fragrance is subdued and soft, mild, delicate and subtle. This smells like a charming little bar of green soap.
In the dry down I experienced the amber, and the musk, not to mention the sandalwood. These notes are otherwise found in Orientals but for me these notes are just clean notes to finish the fragrance. The real attraction for me are the florals beneath the aldehydes. This is one of the loveliest irises and hyacinths I have ever encountered. Some have said this is unisex but I don’t get it. To me it’s quite womanly, mature, yet flexible as a young lady’s first perfume, and intro into aldehyde florals.
I love using the spray but I feel this is best applied directly to the skin as a splash so I have removed the spray and taken to splashing it on my skin. I also have an older vintage bottle which is indeed a splash and comes in a beige colored box. Both the new formula and old are essentially the same. The reformulation does justice to the original. This fragrance is linear and not very complex. It’s a very good aldehyde floral toilet water after bath splash. Makes me feel clean and cozy.
One last thing I’d like to add is that both the new and old frag have a moderate to long life and a good sillage. It can indeed feel like a real perfume in a world of modern fragrance mists that fall flat and don’t last any longer than half hour. This is the real stuff (the aldehydes do the trick) and is a beautiful absolutely gorgeous aldehyde that time has overlooked but not forgotten.
Highly recommended.
acordpricol – :
I am wearing the vintage. This is a lovely soapy floral aldehyde that is not a chypre with the sharp oakmoss. This is clean and bright like aldehydes of the era and is one of the best.
Haci Aga – :
Just when I thought that there wasn’t an iris perfume for me (as I am finding the more contemporary iris notes somewhat synthetic and redolent of plastic dolls), I encounter a sample of Fidji amongst my stash and am enthusiastically enlivened.
Fidji opens with the most heavenly elixir of flowers, magnificently evocative of a tropical sunset: the perfume of a stunning spectrum of flowers warmed by balmy rays throughout the day and beginning to cool as the sun hits the horizon. It’s hard to summarize the breathtaking beauty of this magical introduction.
As the wonderful nectar dries, iris and violet make a soft, hazy showing and release a miasm of powder, tinted with green and slightly indolic. Woody with a delicate aroma of clove, a little soapy like a golden bar of bitter, ambery soap.
Fidji is gently narcotic and has a way of simmering your soul.
SOVESTLYV – :
I am BLESSED as I was born in Fiji!! In the capital of Suva. My parents immigrated to Canada when I was 8.
My boyfriend bought me a bottle of Chanel No.5 when I was 15. He was slightly older and had very good taste (and a little assistance from his mother, I’m sure).
On my Sweet 16th birthday, my Aunt gifted me wih a bottle of FIDJI Eau de toilette. I loved the name, associating it with my birthplace ~ the romantic islands of the South Pacific. ..and thus grew my love of perfumes. (My love of scent began as a child in Fiji ~ where gardenia, franigipani/plumeria and tiare blossoms grew in abundance)!
I am now at the wonderful age of Sweet 60!!..and have been bequeathed a full bottle of the Original VINTAGE blend of FIDJI Eau de Parfum (by a complete stranger! A woman from my church who passed away last month and left many items to be “given away” as mementos to the ladies of my church. As I looked over the items, I couldn’t believe my eyes! There was a FULL bottle of FIDJI!! Didn’t these women know a good thing when they saw it?! I picked it up and cherished it. I’ve let it sit on my dresser for a week without wearing it. Until today. Palm Sunday. I went to church today, and thought of this dear benefactor who not only bequeathed me perfumes (Tresor and Madame Rochas as well) plus a 14K Jerusalem Cross pendant!
This VINTAGE scent is reminiscent of my 16th year but it has matured.
Feeling VERY BLESSED INDEED!
I love my perfumes and I seem to be gifted with many ~ and I gift myself many as well!
aidar44 – :
That’s an example of wonderful marketing strategy.
Beautiful name, slogan “a woman is an island etc”, escapism, even the letters’ style on the packaging are gorgeous. All things exotic and oceanic, matched with a minimal, very basic b&w bottle design, a *contrast* that created an *instant classic feel*.
But have you noticed I haven’t said a word about the smell yet? That’s because it is nothing you would truly adore if it wasn’t for its ad campaign. Yes it is somewhere between L’Air du Temps and Anais-Anais, quickly evaporating, nice but not exactly memorable. Would I own it and wear it, even for the dreamy marketing? YES, OFCOURSE:)
smiv – :
Fidji Eau De Toilette Splash Bottle
I wore this in the 1960’s and it always brings me back to a time in my life when I was young, idealistic and smelled of this stuff! It was and still is a perfume for day wear. This smells of soap and clean, very easy to pull off. Nothing complex about it. It would pass for Ivoire de Balmain the new formula in today’s fragrance market.
This was Guy Laroche debut fragrance. It was marketed for women but by today’s context this is a unisex fragrance. Men folk you can wear this too. Fidji opens with a blast of aldehydes which is terribly old fashioned but fresh, refreshing and revitalizing. I was thinking it sort of smelled like sailing out on a fast moving motor boat and the wind and ocean breeze is in your face. The aldehydes wear off and the citrus scent is that of lemon but not at all sharp or sour. It’s sweet and soft. In fact, sometimes I don’t detect any citrus or fruit at all. However there is a fruity vibe to this perfume, perhaps fruited with additional notes of grapefruit or mandarin.
The floral notes are composed of rose, jasmine, hyacinth, iris and violet. Each of these flowers are completely discernable. This is a gorgeous iris based perfume; an iris which turns powdery like dust, flower dust. The rose is also quite a dusty rose. I wish the flowers had been more aquatic but this is long before the aquatic fragrances were in vogue. Instead this turns into the powdery floral scent, or soap. It’s clean and very smooth, almost like a vanilla flower that has been made into body cream.
There is an Oriental base body of cloves, patchouli, galbanum, sandalwood and musk. It’s woodsy, green and musky, aromatic and very beautiful. Spicy. The dry down is quite masculine in fact. I never thought of it as masculine back in the 60’s but then again women were wearing what could pass as men’s musk scents today – i.e. Bal a Versailles even Chanel No. 5. This is nowhere near Chanel No 5 because the moss and the florals, the soapiness, is quite a day wear fragrance which is quite casual and relaxed. It’s a perfume of clean simplicity and at the time matched up with those baby doll dresses, Mary Quant fashions from London, micro mini skirts and so forth. It’s a perfume for a young girl to wear throughout her day as she works at an office – i.e. dentist, hospital, business office, etc. Just a straight no nonsense perfume of fruit, florals, powder, soap, moss and musk.
I don’t think this fragrance evokes Fidji the island and nor is it exotic or even that much of an Oriental. It’s hard to classify it but I suppose it’s aromatic and green-floral. Gorgeous too.
Solnce37 – :
A gorgeous, classic green floral chypre. I’m lucky enough to have found a vintage mini which still smells as fresh as the day it was made.
The first impression is of a huge dose of galbanum – very green and resinous. Hyacinth, iris and tuberose then come to the fore. It’s not so much powdery as it is soapy. There’s a subtle spiciness to Fidji that sets it apart from the aloof, icy green chypres of its era. It’s surprisingly creamy, thanks to smooth sandalwood and amber, in perfect accord with the earthy vetiver and moss. It’s also warmer than other galbanum-heavy contemporaries like Chanel No 19, thanks to the lighter touch of aldehydes and the woody-resinous base. There’s a deft touch of sweetness that staves off the gloom of darker green scents like Piguet’s Futur.
I live in the Pacific, and I don’t find Fidji to be a particularly tropical scent. The name seems oddly mismatched. It is, however, cool and clean, like the feeling of waxy petals against skin. Some may find it soapy and old-fashioned, but for those who love lighter greens, it’s pure bliss.
bnl191speagoessenda – :
I brought this home on a blotter today and waved it under the husband’s nose. “Horrid in a granny way!” he shrieked, entirely unprompted, throwing the blotter away from himself with some force. Oh dear. Don’t shoot the messenger just because he said the G word. I know what he means and so do you! This is of a certain time. For me this conjurs my gran’s friends all sat round the table at xmas, playing cards and smoking, through an added veil of this, or something very similar. (First by Van Cleef & Arpels is quite similar, or at least the vintage is, but First is much better, Fidji smell cheaper) I actually quite like this, but it is going to come across spectacularly old fashioned so you have been warned. I get aldehydes, galbanum, oakmoss and spices mostly I suppose, but nothing stands out on it’s own, this is as just PERFUMEY as they come, it’s oh I can’t wait for the upset this is going to cause, but this is GENERIC GRANNY PERFUME. A fresh island breeze IS NOT HERE. Unless your concept of that is being on a cruise ship with the over sixties. Oh please, I’m old too, I can face it 😀
alexandrnik – :
“Take me away to Fidji.” Never been there, but if its breezes are scented anywhere close to my just purchased 2011 formulation, I’ll have many wonderful days arm chair traveling to Fidji this winter. Still, I want to buy a vintage, just so I can delight in this floral with real oakmoss. Why did I wait so long?
VOIN666 – :
Such a disappointment! I have a sample of vintage and it smells like LD Temp at the start and then dries down to alluring notes of resins – an evening worthy kind. I bought a new bottle(reformulated version) hoping for the same heart notes at least. But these two are completely different scents. The reformulated opens like watered down version of LD Temp with citrus notes. Then it starts to smell like watered down men’s cologne and then it settles down to the notes of galbanum and oakmoss with hint of musk as its heart. No sandalwood, no patchouli, no resins whatsoever, not even amber. Completely Two different perfumes. This can easily pass for a day time summer scent with a sporty vibe for me.
Vintage had decent sillage. Reformulated sits close to skin.
myveres – :
My darling mothers signature scent, literally the only one she has ever worn. I utterly adore it. Never has a perfume had such an emotional impact on me as this one. It is the scent of true love! Reminds me of warm hugs when I was little & watching her dress up to go out to dinner with my father. This fragrance is a fresh tropical floral yet classy and evocative. I will never tire of this perfume and when she is sadly gone from my life I will buy a bottle and wear it to honour her.
держа – :
Galbanum is one of my favorite green notes. So fidji is my cup of tea as floral chypres concern! Today was my lucky day. Was able to test a 35 years old tester vial in mint condition. Opening was the most resinous green galbanum i’ve ever smelled. But is not bitter, is much well rounded by the citruses.
After half an hour galbanum is settled down- always present- and hyacinth, aldehydes and iris give an airiness to the composition. Guess that “tropical” character of fidji is somehow all the notes above in perfect balance plus some nuances of tuberose.
In the drydown, after several hours some spice and woods are there, maybe some moss and vetiver but the astonishing factor imho is that galbanum, even subdued, is always there!
So if you love that note, well…you must try it. I believe is not a safe blind buy. If you got the chance you should take a skin test.
Longevity is excellent- 7 to 10 hours although after 3-4h is close to the skin.
New formula has the top notes considerably toned down it goes straight to the middle notes and stays more linear. Of course longevity is moderate. All in all still is a winner for me!
fenol69_ – :
It’s a bit sad. Purchased a vintage bottle and the top notes are shot. What’s left?
All of the middle and base notes which are shared by every other vintage perfume: jasmine, rose, cloves, orris, etc.
A teensy tiny bit of hyacinth somehow clung to the formula such that the whole thing reminded me of the reformulated version of Je Reviens. Not the vintage Je Reviens in all of it’s glory (that formula is an iron battleship when it comes to remaining strong through the years), but the mandy pandy watery reformulated version that was sold cheaply in drugstores for a bit.
maxfg – :
Im amazed at how I have taken to this oldie but a goodie. Hyacinth and aldehydes are usually notes I steer well clear of. No one is more surprised than me. Its got so many notes in (like many vintage fragrances) that Im surprised the kitchen sink isnt listed!
Yep, I can pick up on everything pretty much in the same order as everyone else on here. The result though is wonderful. It sweeps you away to a tropical beach somewhere in the South Pacific. Its fresh, a touch spicey yet there is some sweetness and warmth to never make it smell harsh or screechy. Wipe away any thoughts of similarity with the ubquitious modern “beach” fragrances with lots of sweet coconut, tiare and frangipani. This is pure class. This has gone straight into my top 5 summer fragrance. Im just sorry I didnt try it much sooner. Do test it NOW! If you can find the Parfum then even better.
Sillage and longevuty moderate.
vjache – :
Something in this smells different than the other green perfumes, more depth. It might be the tiny amount of cloves , sandalwood and spicy notes, just a bit though, not to overwhelm ,just to differentiate this perfume from the others. A subtle scent that is my springtime go to…..
Zemosmaps – :
Fidji is pure nostalgia for me. I wore it in the 70s, and just a whiff of it brings that era back to me. Elegant and very original.
toper-best – :
I smelled Fidji on a blotter at an event about female noses that the Osmothèque put on in Paris. It was one of the stand outs of the entire presentation, and it lasted so long on my blotter that I ordered a bottle online as soon as I got home to California.
I still love it. It reminds me of Giorgio of Beverly Hills, but not so much that I regret having a bottle of each. The Fidji tuberose is more furry, more green, more languid and casual than Giorgio’s sexy power suit tuberose/white flower bomb.
I’m still getting to know Fidji, but it is so easy to wear and so reminiscent of sunny days at the beach without smelling like other ‘beachy’ scents that can be too literal, smelling of salty notes or coconut and sun tan lotion. I read other people’s reviews comparing Fidji to suntan lotions, and I’d like to smell those to compare, but for me, I get a more abstract beach experience; gold heat, dappled shadows, turquoise breezes, and a private, sexy secret.
My only complaint is its lack of projection and longevity. Otherwise, I’m pretty ready for my fling with Fidji.
mikael14 – :
I had one bottle in the 70s and , at first, loved it. But Lux launched a soap with exactly the same scent. It became common place and I couldn’t stand it anymore. For me it starts with aldehydes, which stay thoroughout, and becames a light floral with hyacinth as the second main note, ending with an aldehyde/floral/ambery combo. Very light but long lasting.
de_la_vega144 – :
Thanks to dear member @mufulia, she sent me a vintage mini, and I’m here to review the “very real-deal” 🙂
It was extremely an emotionally charged experience, because my mum who happened wear Fidji as her signature when she was young (in late 70s) burst into tears when we smelt the juice from the tiny miniature bottle…
She had so fond memories of the perfume, and sometimes would mention it when the subject perfume opened up. Well, she was right…
Vintage Fidji is drop-dead-gorgeous!
I found it quite similar to Guerlain’s Mitsouko which I adore. Fidji is slightly greener, but make no mistake, we aren’t on the fresh side. It smells deep and resinous, just the right amount of sweet, creamy and balmy. It has a chypre feel to it. A very compact perfume which stands on its own, it’s distinctively vintage, any perfume enthusiast wouldn’t make a mistake on that smelling it on you. I’ve also seen similarities to Rochas Femme here (early 2000s).
Very queenly.
Pure perfume, it’s distinctively powerful. 1 drop of it projects and lasts…
I’ve found a heavily secure black leather box to store it along with other especially precious specimens.
rhg616intitytek – :
Ohh how I love perfumes from the 60-ties.
This tuberose floral dream is just adorable. It makes a summers day even more beautifull.
igor114 – :
I remembered loving this as a teenager, but my chemistry has changed and it smells horrible on me. Too bad because I purchased a 1.7 oz bottle. I am more than will to trade for a 1.7 of something else, so inbox me.
viku – :
Initially I thought I love this… But after a few days I have to admit it’s way too strong for my taste. The lily of the valley is sickening ( and I loooove Diorissimo….). And it lasts and lasts and lasts. I still can’t detect any green, fruity or citrusy in this. Just the overly sweet florals. I literally feel nauseous as I write this:( Will be happy to get rid of this. Fidji, I will not go there unfortunately.
LEXSON888 – :
The first few minutes is so promising! it reminds me of a much diluted Estee Lauder Private Collection. Private Collection is so lush so bitter so green thatit forced tears out of me i i first tried it. Both perfume share a few notes and are both classified as green woody and floral.
But what happens it this perfume simply disappears. i test this one in summer and in winter. I spray 10plus generous spray. It weakens considerably and very rapidly into skin scent within 10minutes. within an hour or two, it is gone.
Spraying in bedding fairs better. it leaves a simple clean uplifting green scent.
I get the green colour one, the recent version.v
mr-kuz – :
Like others, I used to sniff this when my mom had a tiny bottle of the pure perfume in the 1980’s. So, I recently bought a huge bottle, and was so excited!
It just doesn’t last on me at all. It smells very much like L’Air du Temps; which also doesn’t last. What is it about my chemistry that dissolves away these lovely, light, clean florals?
It also smells like Windsong. But Windsong is now a bit too industrial strength for me.
Anyway, this smells delicious out of the bottle. So sweet and clean and flowery and ladylike. Doesn’t remind me of the tropics at all. Pure girl. Too bad it’s just a waste of money since it has disappeared within half an hour.
canada goose jacket – :
I so love this perfume despite I’ve never tried the original and am talking about the reformulation.
It’s so refreshing green and classy; it reminds me of Aromatics Elixir and Eau du Soir. A fresh lovely oakmoss with touch of flowers.
Whereas it’s quite an affordable perfume online, it’s like 3X the price in stores here in Cyprus; and I totally detest this situation! I condemn UK’s embargo on online shopping perfumes!
kinoman2011 – :
SCENTS OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC
A SUMMER GETAWAY TO FII
Guy Laroche launched his fragrance Fidji in 1966. His nose was Josephine Catapano. They were on vacation in the islands of Fiji when they came up with this fragrance. The lush beauty of the islands, the same islands that inspired French artist Paul Gauguin, is supposed to be contained within this bottle. The design of the bottle, in 1966, was avant-garde. This is not a frilly, pretty bottle. It’s simple, sharply curved and similar to a hexagon made of glass with a metallic handlebar stopper. For the 60’s, this was an artistic statement, something different, something for the young woman of the 60’s who enjoyed being experimental not only with her choices in life but with her clothing, hair styles and fragrances. This fragrance would have suited a bohemian girl in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district, or in New York City’s Greenwich Village. It’s the fragrance for a peace loving hippie. But this is what I feel about the fragrance in the context of the decade in which it was made. It’s been reformulated and this is what you are likely to buy. I can’t speak for the new version as I have only worn the classic 1966 original formula fragrance. Notes in Fidji include:
Head Notes: Iris Galbanum Hyacinth Lemon Bergamot
Heart Notes: Violet Orris Root Jasmine Cloves YlangYlang, Rose, Spices and Aldehydes
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Amber, Patchouli, Musk Oakmoss, Vetiver and Resins
This is a heavily layered concentration, so the result is a strong cologne that can feel unisex. I can defintely smell Fidji on a guy and it would smell good. The aldehydes in the original are in the top notes and they’re powerful, like crashing waves against rocks or the shores on the island of Fidji or the monsoon winds in the South Pacific. Even that was beautiful, but it would not be wearable for some people. Obviously, the reformulation is wearable and contains less aldehydes. The vintage Fidji is more fruity. It would fall under the genre of fruity floral aldehyde. The fruits I can detect are grapefruit and orange, but they are very pulpy and acidic. Then there is a very distinct kava, which comes straight out of Polynesian islands like Tahiti or the Marquesas islands. It’s the most popular intoxicating drink from the islands. It’s very peppery and layered with the rose it’s absolutely delicious, like an island girl with a flower in her hair has just sat down next to you on the beach offering you kava to drink. The fragrances takes you away to Fiji, where the sun is hot, where dark skinned Samoan people are idly passing the time at the beach eating fruits. This fragrance reminds me of Paul Gauguin’s painting Nave Nave Moe or Sacred Spring Sweet Dreams. It depicts Tahitian people at a picnic, some seated, some standing or dancing. The two identical looking dark haired island girls in white top and flower print red skirt in the forefront of the painting are eating what looks like a mango or blood orange. Fidji is a trip to Fiji. So for the more practical use of this perfume, wear it as a casual day time spring and summer fragrance. If it’s too strong or you’ve sprayed too much on, it can become like a cologne for the evening, but it is definitely a summer fragrance. You can take it with you and wear it on your trip to island getaways- to Hawaii, to Tahiti, to Fiji, to the Caribbean islands. Perfume is definitely something to take when you travel and certain fragrances absolutely fit in with the destinations you’re visiting. For another example of this is Donna by Pavarotti, which instantly takes me to Italy and can be worn on a trip to Italy. Fidji by Guy Laroche is a masterpiece and one that doesn’t get much recognition under the shadows of today’s generic celebrity fragrances or designer fashion house fragrances that are light delicate florals. This one is simply gorgeous but I would recommend you get your hands on the vintage original formula. The new one is probably good, but it would be a skin scent pick me up fragrance to wear every day, and nothing like Fidji original fragrance that clearly has the power to take you away to Fiji, no matter if you’re just standing in line for a movie ticket in New Jersey.
Accuntede – :
..PS an original unused bottle of Fidji (from the 70’s) in sealed packaging has just sold on eBay for £82!!
🙂 I missed out at the £40 mark
l.kok – :
…oh and doesn’t it smell very much like L’air Du Temps
semengorbunkov – :
I was first introduced to the delicious Fidji in the 1970’s as it formed part of a four pack set called ‘The French Quarter’ one of the other miniatures was VU by Ted Lapidus, can’t recall the other 2 perfumes in the set. Have bought it recently and hadn’t realised the scent had changed 🙂
Алексашка – :
This was my special fragrance in my 20’s but sadly the new version just does not compare.
777alix777 – :
MY personal experiences with the Fidji perfume started when I was a child ..and it was resumed some years ago, when I got a box full of many different brands of perfumes in miniature flacones.
One of these small bottles contained the Fidji perfume. The moment I put my nose to the little flacon’s opening, I was transported back to a time of my childhood,to wonderful trips to Italy with my parents, to my mother’s exciting, silk lined handbag, to her crackling clean dresses and femininity, to summer holidays and sparkling drinks. This parfume was the one she always used then, I realized! It was a treasure discovery, and I swore I would always keep the tiny flacon in a safe place, and only use it for mental trips back in time, when needed, via smelling it .
However, a few weeks ago I strangely reached the conclusion, that I might now be at the crossroads on which I was to decide for good, if I wanted to keep Fidji as a memory generator, or if I would actually attempt to transcend the boundaries between past and present, parents and child, and try using the perfume on my own skin.
I found my little Fidji flacon, which I had not handled for at least a year, and I was amazed at how little perfume was left in the bottle! I suppose it evaporates by itself over time, because I had not used the perfume itself, ever, but had merely sniffed the scent.
It was an enormous pleasure to return to this scent, and indeed to allow myself to even wear it on my own skin. {I think that Fidji is the one perfume in the world, which I instinctively am most attracted to, even though I have learned that you should use more sophisticated fragrances like Mitsouko and Shalimar – which I also like lots, for the record).
I wonder if my adoration of Fidji simply is due to my memory aspect of it, or if the scent in itself is enough to make me swoon. I do so love the scent from my little flacon. I find it clean, yet lush, and definitely very warm in an alluring and unique way. This scent is a jewel and a masterpiece, for sure – a perfect creation, like a sunny, beautiful child who has a very open, curious, trusting mind.
For nights, now, I have been dabbing some of the perfume on my wrist, and have stayed awake and sniffed my wrist in the dark, long into the night, and for days, I have been looking forward to going over to the cabinet where the little flacon is kept, to take a sniff. The smell makes me feel so good.
Whatever the case, there is almost no perfume left in the small flacon, and I have intercepted a slight odor of alcohol in the aroma, which makes me suspect that the fragrance will soon be too old .. So I ordered a new bottle of Fidji, and it arrived yesterday.
I was pleased beyond words to get this new flacon, and was looking forward to really turning myself into a user of the Fidji perfume. However, I was also a little nervous, as I had read some reviews here, which were critical of the new edition of the perfume ~ and alas, as I sprayed a whiff of the new Fidji on my wrist, I instantly knew that what I had read was true.
It is as if the clear, deep, immaculately happy smell of the Fidji from my small flacon, in the new bottle has been turned into something entirely different. As if the deep, amber clarity has been contaminated with something foggy and vague – something that perhaps is supposed to be sexy and feminine, but which destroys the essence of Fidji, as I perceive it.
I am a total novice in the fragrance world, when it comes to expressions and identification of the various components of a fragrance, so I do not know what happened, but I really think that the perfume has changed character to such a degree that it is difficult to recognize it. There is only a faint echo of its former wonderful soul. The sunny,happy child has grown up and become an ordinary, troubled adult.
I think that my starting adventure with Fidji thus is destroyed, and now , again, I only have the little flacon with a bottom scraper of the old perfume to stick to .. and I will use it as I originally did, on