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helena91 – :
I bought this perfume when it first came out in the early 1980’s. Yes, I’m that old. When it was discontinued, I cried. I felt it had been made for me. Certainly not for daily spritzing, but when I want to feel special nothing else comes close. I have worn it for thirty years, and truly never put it on without receiving superlative compliments. Complex, powerful, and mysterious without being cloying, it subtly changes on the skin the longer it’s on, and lasts forever. I can still smell it lingering the next day. It might be classified as a white floral, but it’s much much deeper than that. The oriental components come out quite strongly in my opinion, in a very good way. This is not a fresh, ingenue scent – it makes one feel richly, powerfully feminine. Versace for Women is my favorite fragrance of all time, and I’ve tried more than a few. They don’t make many like this anymore.
Megmy632Bessinepome – :
Just to note that Creature by Gilles Cantuel, 1985, the original Salvador Dali, Dali, 1985, Magie Noire original vintage, Lancome 1978, are all somewhat similar, although a little drier than the Versace. Boucheron by Boucheron, 1988, original vintage, Fendi by Fendi 1985, and Coco Chanel,1984,original vintages again, may also fit. Paloma Picasso, 1984, is also along these lines.
None are the same of course but if you love this original Versace, you may find these other choices also lovely. Dali and Boucheron may be the easiest and least expensive to obtain.
I buy vintage only pretty much. Some top notes may be gone, but the old guys often have a richness, a bravado, a complexity, the moderns often lack. Vintage perfumes, in my mind, usually create a mood, set a stage, uplift spirits, calm nerves, inspire, reflect, provide fodder for romantic day dreams and so on. They are largely contextual- presenting blends of many aromas, yet not pinpointing to any one particular scent, unless they were soliflores of course.
Young ones, do keep an open mind and try to experience some of the old time greats. You don’t have to wear them, but if anything, it is an education within the media of scent. My 14 year old loves Estee Lauder Private Collection original vintage, 1973. Speaking of which, the bio of Estee Lauder is well worth a read. I think Ms. Lauder’s top love was perfume.
GoLLIA – :
Powerhouse chypre. Dark woods and large bouquets of flowers, leather chairs, a table of sweets awaiting, amongst port. Strong and sweet and deep and classy. Tiny drop will do.
xaritonov1959 – :
My wedding day perfume. I have about 1/5 of the bottle remaining and it is a shame it’s not available any more. I also have the soap, still in its wrapper, and it still smells awesome. I have the dusting powder and it still smells fantastic 26 years later.
taras777 – :
I was wondering why I immediately fell in love with this scent,,,, after reading about the notes I saw the carnation flower, it is the “common denominator” in my favorite perfumes.
The juice in my bottles is fresh and was well kept, I’m always lucky.
The first perfume came to mind was VanCleef. This is very serious and formal, I felt out of proportions wearing this with my casual outfit !
Other similar perfumes: Boucheron, Dolce&Gabbana, but all these came afterwords, Versace was a pioneer in its category big time, I really think people were shocked when this was released 1981, It is unique and still unique.
I know “big” perfumes were the trend during 80’s, and “spicy” scents fill the Disco era before that, but the “hugeness” in this perfume is so alien, and the spices here are out of this world. The carnation used here smells similar to the one used in Nina Ricci’s L’air du Temp…and there is an earthy/dirty note (oak moss, or patchouli !) that take it out of the childish clean criteria of perfumes.
ivanoval – :
I’ve read most of Miss Lawson’s perfume reviews and felt inspired to purchase a couple, so far. My vintage Versace arrived today and all I can say is that it is one more gorgeous perfume. I don’t have the knowledge of identifying many notes-just never smelled many many flowers, woods, rrsins, etc. But I can pick out oakmoss in perfumes, and incense in this creation. What an experience, this perfume. Applause for Miss Lawson’s reviews. I’m looking forward to reading more.
Незабудка – :
Gianni Versace is a beautiful glamorous and gorgeous Oriental floral perfume of magic.
The first time I wore this fragrance I was already accustomed to the Oriental smoky florals that were out in the fragrance market and selling to women like me. You know, women who were all over such perfumes as Coco Eau de Parfum, Opium, Teatro Alla Scala, and Passion.
Gianni opens with what I sense is spicy floral notes.
To my nose the fruit is very light and mostly citrus, freshened up with distinct aldehydes but it fades fast. The carnation, the lily of the valley and the powdery iris as well as the white floral scents of jasmine and gardenia, and a big tuberose, collectively create a white and spicy aroma.
Yes in today’s context this is an old fashioned white floral but pleasant in it’s aromatic spiciness.
I would compare this fragrance to White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor with a pronounced incense and leather, which provide the perfume with a unisex body.
Men, take note!
This is for you to wear as well.
I agree with Gigi that this has an Italian spirit.
This reminds me of Krizia Teatro Alla Scala as they share similar notes but the powder here is lighter and it’s bigger on the incense, patchouli and leather and musk.
This is more an Oriental than a chypre. Each note is amazing and the whole thing when it comes together and dries down is exquisitely beautiful.
This perfume should adorn a confident older woman’s neck like the most expensive diamond necklace.
This is a mind blowing aroma and I was very fascinated with it.
I feel that this perfume is nocturnal and best suited to evening affairs and meant to be worn with formal evening wear.
Today this perfume has been discontinued but you can still find it online and on ebay. Highly recommended if you like Orientals.
tajuhin – :
Fragrance Review For Gianni Versace
Versace
Top Notes
Aldehydes Spices Fruit Bergamot Orange
Middle Notes
Carnation Tuberose Gardenia Orris Root Jasmine Narcissus Lily of the Valley
Base Notes
Patchouli Benzoin Leather Sandalwood Amber Oak Moss Incense Myrrh
An embarrassment of riches! Where do I begin?
This is an absolutely gorgeous, beautiful perfume with a capital P, top to bottom. I found it stashed away in a girlfriend Claudia’s closet here in a villa outside Milan. I’m in Milan for Fashion Week and I asked Claudia if I could borrow this fragrance for the evening. And it is an evening cologne of Oriental and chypre ingredients resulting in a magnificent fragrance of the rarest breed. This frag comes from a time when having a lot of notes was common. It was a time of darker florals, incense, spices, Orientals, and not the three to six note fragrances that smell simple and boring as typical fruity florals. This is an epic fragrance that smells like a cologne for a Queen – Catherine De Medici, Lucrezia Borgia, or a powerful woman of long ago. It is definitely Italian in it’s personality. Italian women love white floral scents, incense and spices. This scent equals power.
Versace used to create fragrances like this before they went into a different direction. It’s just my bad luck to have been born too late but I can still hunt for these type of fragrances on ebay. The perfume opens with aldehydes, classic and very brilliant aldehydes, although the freshness of fruit and citrus fades away quickly. Before long the spices and resins emerge and they embrace spicy floral scents of carnation and jasmine. Carnation and jasmine at first before the other floral notes join the team.
It’s a white floral at heart. Buttery, creamy rich luxurious tuberose, gardenia, lily of the valley and narcissus. These are the same white floral notes of Giorgio Beverly Hills but whereas the Giorgio made the mistake of adding too much fruit, this fragrance darkens and becomes progressively warmer, less fresh, and more mysterious.
As an Oriental, it contains notes of patchouli, sandalwood, patchouli, amber, incense, myrrh, resins, spices, and leather/musk. The whole thing never turns to powder or soap. It’s a fragrance of flesh and blood, with as much complexity and depth as a meal. It smells like you’re having a feast in a villa in Italy. The night time air is perfumed with Roman incense and smoky florals. The amber is not the amber I’m used to as it is submerged into the patchouli leaves and the musk and incense smoke.
Luxurious, elegant, regal, sexy, sultry, spicy, and glamorous. It can only be worn at night with haute couture like Versace’s most beautiful gowns.
This fragrance is definitely unisex by today’s standards and or a strong statement perfume for women a la Opium Yves Saint Laurent, Teatro Alla Scala by Krizia, Bal a Versailles by Jean Desprez and Coco Eau de Parfum de Coco Chanel. If you have worn all of them or any of them, you’ll get it. You will be captivated by this amazing intoxicating seduction in a bottle. I am floored. I am so enchanted by the fragrance spell of this perfume. I can’t wait to buy it online when I get back to Manhattan.
Thank you Versace and thank you Claudia!
alexfilboy5 – :
I am a big fan of Coco and of Cinnabar, and I love chypres – this is a bit like an oakmossed-up cross-breed of Coco and Cinnabar, I think. Oriental, heavy, sweet, but with that spicy mossy warm depth to it that smells both elegant and comforting at the same time.
Таксист – :
This one is a pleasent ,”heavy” floriental.
Has something in common with Bal a Versailles.
I have Capucci and J’ai Ose’ and they don’t remember of Versace.Maybe Capucci is a v v distant relative (as theyspeak the same language 🙂 , but J’ai Ose’ is really something else.
It’s only for oriental fans.I only have used the edt.No idea about the parfum .The extraits usually are quite different and not necessarily for the better.
mr.vadim1976 – :
I would just love to try this one! Your reviews are all so intriguing!
AntonCheguevara – :
2 little sprays and after 3-4 hours my college entered in my office and said : wow entire office smell like your perfume ….
I thought it was gone because i could not smell anything ..
Ehhhh beautiful smell .. I just recive a full bottle of it and I am so happy :-))))
iskaarere – :
This is for the EDT
After a brash and very ‘old school’ first 15 minutes, this settles into an opulent spicy floral chypre – undoubtedly of outstanding quality. Balsamic spices and soft smoke over tuberose and other florals. There is concentrated sweetness of dried fruits (raisins) in the heart. The bergamot top adds a tang and sparkle to what is a very sensual late 70s diva of a perfume.
Glamour, city lights backlighting big brunette hair, shiny red lipstick, red, brown, gold.
Like Fendi Fendi, Gianni might be too ‘warm’, too opulent for my style but as another reviewer said, I really do feel as if it’s a real PERFUME where a lot of other bottles are just… fragrances.
FriendKatherine – :
Raisin & Resins. Cognac & honey.
Dried fruits, wood burned by sun. butter of incense. fleshy flowers. warm balsamic oils. caramel, milk and oakmoss. yes, milk pudding with vanilline and fat white woods.
A rich fragrance, important. More end of 70s as style than first 80s. Very Oakmoss plus Oakmoss and Gardenia.
Reminds me J’ai Osé de Laroche, Capucci, Histoire d’amour, but in a Lutens way.
A real jewel.
Would be successful nowadays.
AlexDqq – :
Lovely floral, spicy perfume. Really beautiful quality and terrific sillage (this is the pure perfume I am referring to). I received this today from a trusted seller and couldn’t wait to try it. I remember it from years ago and largely ignored it although I did have a bottle once but knowing me probably gave it away in haste. It has a “old school of perfumery” feel about it. It’s worth seeking out because it smells like nothing else – in a good way. Perfect for cooler months as it does pack a wallop.
gqy110Unlogrere – :
This is the only Chypre Floral perfume that ever smelled good on me.
It starts off pretty strong… very typical for its category but the dye down is incredibly elegant and sweet.
I got it a few years ago right before Xmas and because i knew that my grandma would absolutely love it, i ended up putting it under the tree with her name on it =) She has it on display, to this day, almost unused because “her only granddaughter got it for her” but i honestly think its there just to taunt her friends =p Ha ha ha… who ever said grandmas were peaceful?! =p
U can follow me on YouTube @ BeautyOnSale
улитётка – :
I happened to stumble upon a bottle of this that had a little bit left, at a friends house.. I sprayed it on a card and took a whiff, behold a masterpiece! The first whiff you can smell the top notes the strongest, and it has the signature vintage Versace smell to it..The more the fragrance dries down the more heavenly it gets! I truly hope that one day I can add this fragrance to my collection..
Update – I have added this gem to my fragrance collection! I have enough to last me a life time! As I lift the cap to my nose I am put into a trance.. This fragrance is truly stunning! They do not make them like this anymore! I can truly say that this is one of the most amazing women’s fragrance that I have ever came across! I know that the ingredients in this must have all been of the highest quality and of course all natural! It is so very deep and complex.. This smells like something a very sexy luxurious women with an untamable wild side would wear.. It is stunning!
Update – I have already updated my review on this beauty but for some reason I feel like I can never say enough about it! Every time I smell Gianni Versace I fall in love with it all over again! I first heard of this perfume when my grandmother put me up to the task of finding her old favorite perfumes online but the prices were outrageous, so I held off on buying it for her.. I was on vacation in Italy with family and my grandmother when I happened to stumble across a bottle of this at my grandmothers friends house.. When I first saw the bottle I was in awe at how beautiful the bottle looked.. It looks much better in person than on the computer.. I picked it up and took the cap off and sniffed the bottle.. I was so shocked because I did not expect it to smell so amazing! I than realized that my grandma had good taste.. The next time I went over there I sprayed some on paper and studied the scent from the top notes to the dry down.. There really are not that many perfumes for women that I fall for or would like to wear, but this is one of them.. I do not know if I could pull this off but regardless I will definitely wear a squirt for my own pleasure when I want to..
aneexx – :
It’s got to be the smokiest “old school” frag on the planet!! Out of production as far as I know, and WOW this is special! A very exotic fruit on the enourmous pallette of all existing perfumes! I bought it blind, since the price for the extrait was so low in the auction compared to “buy it now” options out there, and I must say I was speechless, how strange, alluring, complex and long-developing it is!!
A word of warning: if you try it for the 1st time – don’t scrub it off right away once the “oldest public toiled in the world” smell hits you: give it time and you will be rewarded. After a few seconds from application I was almost in tears: oh no, I thought, it is gotten too old, or was always like this but nobody had the courage to say: it is not a perfume, someone has simply peed into the bottle and is selling it for big bucks!! I was devastated. The closer I would bring my nose to the skin, the more unvbelievably horrible the stench was: I almost passed out, I swear. I sat there like a sad lump of a person sinking into depression, my head hanging in disbelief, gathering ideas how I could get rid of it quick and without losses on value, when… 15-20 minutes into the wait it has opened up like the most exquisite flower!! I stuck my nose to the skin waiting for the illusion to dissipate and be hit in the face again with the toilette bruch aroma, but no – I could not believe it, so I sniffed even harder! – and NO!! It’s all gone!!!!! From a parisian cafe urinary I was suddenly transported onto Cloud 9, cloud being the operative word here: it was SO smoky I thought I could actually see it!! It is a young light wood tree that has grown roots into some undiscovered vanilla-river running underground and was set on slow fire and is now raising this heavenly smoke into the skies. This one is a Masterpiece. How this could be no longer popular – I see it, I get it, nobody sits around on a suede-polstered recamiere playing bridge through long winter afternoons anymore, but it would break my heart, if I was the creator of it, to put a stop to producing at least the idea of this decadent and long-gone-never-to-come-back lifestyle. This perfume stole my heart, and If ýou are looking for a time maschine – it’s right here in the gem-shaped flacon of Gianni Versace. It is nostalgia for the beginning of 20th century in its pure form, in my nose’s humble opinion. 🙂
oms.oltkga – :
OK, I admit that I am easily influenced in the perfume realm. One glowing review is all it takes for me to want something. And telling me something is discontinued is like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey! If it isn’t readily available, it MUST be better, right? In this case, yes. My initial sniff from the sample size was alright. I have a bunch of new to me scents and it didn’t exactly sky rocket to the top of the list. Even when I first put it on, I was thought it was overrated. And then…it got better and better. It becomes something truly glorious on! Perfect blending that makes it hard to distinguish individual notes, it smells like: perfume. I mean that in the best possible way, as in expensive perfume for ladies. I want more.
zelimhan06-95_006 – :
The first loud spray of lovely flowers turns into a beautiful cinnamon, incense and musk combination. I have been wearing this a little over an hour it is a soft sensual perfume which lingers close to the skin. But I can smell it lingering as I walk. It is not an overpowering fragrance, but a unusual stylish, unique, vintage smell, which represents quality. I do not think it smells like any of the perfumes mentioned below. There is little vanilla, in here at present. This is a winter fragrance which is quite concretrated for a eau de toilette. It is a mature perfume, not for the light hearted. It is a floral and oriental. It smells like a softer version of the original opium but is not so harsh more refined and softer. This perfume is one of those that linger in the background, but not a showstopper fragrance look at me. But, it has a mysterious and warmth to it that is attractive. It is a truly wonderful fragrance, and all perfume lovers should really tries to experience this fragrance who likes warm, spicy and floral fragrance. A sheer delight, for perfume lovers. It is hard to find, but well worth it if you find it on ebay. I recently, bought this at a very reasonable price, you just to wait for the right moment.
DeadM – :
I loved Versace and thought I had found a new signature fragrance after years of J’ai Ose. But soon it went down in history…so heavy, I am amazed that I had the courage to use it liberally. It should be used very sparingly because it’s really harsh and lasts and lasts… You can leave the house without having to carry it in your purse, from morning to evening is not giving up. In the end it’s still a powerful chypre.
eduard22.12 – :
Versace debuted this lost masterwork amid similar powerhouse offering in the 1980s. It was like lightning. Suddenly Milan was in the spotlight of fashion and perfume world. Rich, elaborate and colorful, the dresses matched the perfume. The thunder echoed for the next 15 years as Italian fashion mingled with fine art.
The notes sparkled-a word I rarely use in my writing. This original creation was tactile. The rich florals were warm and inviting. Its smokey, sultry character gave it a mysterious temple quality. It was truely a goddess. Any woman wearing it would be possessed by her beauty. Men will worship you!
It is now forgotten. Buried under the sands of mass marketing. It it a rare treasure in the perfume world. Finding just a tiny sample of it will brings great joy to your nose.
qures – :
I feel totally bereft now that I can no longer buy this. I loved the complexity of the fragrance and I cannot find anything to replace it. I think one of the problems is that modern fragrances are too simple and simply “shout” at you. I do not understand why women want to smell of boiled sweets…oh well – maybe they will see sense and bring it back????
My other favourite – Escada Margaretha Ley has been discontinued too. Devastated.
cheapdress – :
I am totally loving this one, though it is a scent for mature woman i think, this will also do best during some night out for women in their 30´s. But you have to dress properly to wear that. Think of original Versace fashion in bold colours and you get the picture. It is a bit agressive scent, i find some similarities with old formulation of “Ysatis”, but this is more softer. I am loving narcissus note, cause that´s what i think gives this scent softness though in my opinion this is a stricktly winter evening wear perfume. Tried this one at a daytime and it was a bit annoying then.
This what i call Perfumery, most others are just mainly fragrances. 🙂
priori – :
Amarige/Ysatis/Organza smell similar to this. Gianni Versace is the typical fullbodied and fatal female scent.
It’s funny but I can only smell the flowers (tuberose, gardenia, jazmin, lily of the valley) and a week halo of spices and incense. I don’t feel a strong presence of leather notes or patchuli, so Gianni isn’t as cloying or overpowering as it seems.
The lasting power is good.I like it a lot.
qac670Bessinepome – :
It’s a gorgeous jewel, all those beautiful discontinued perfumes…what a shame..
vasil – :
nobody reviewed this yet?????I cant beleive it!It is a true classic and masterpiece by house of Versace.It is for the lovers of sharp, kinda old fashion ,chypre frags,very long lasting and very classy and nice.The carnations,narcissus and tuberose are the notes that i smell most