Fashion empires love to take a classic and totally revise and revamp it. Whether they are chasing market dollars or truly inspired by the classic we will never know. Whatever the motive, the results a wonderful and wearable, while the comparisons are more than fun to analyze! The latest versions provide connections, variations and new twists that are ever so delightful.
Miss Dior Cherie is the younger, sweeter version of Miss Dior. All strawberries and caramel, Miss Dior Cherie, on first sniff, smells nothing like its staid, powdery counterpart. In spite of drool-worthy carnival confections, on a deeper lever Miss Dior Cherie reveals the complex connections it shares with the original Miss Dior. Sugary and warm, Miss Dior Cherie sports a daring masculine layer of patchouli. Fading so well into the burnt sugar, warm delights and fruits, the bold incense tones are often initially missed altogether. This patchouli is dark, womanly sophistication far beyond the market-popular edible layers. Decades ago, Miss Dior could proudly proclaim the same. Beyond the much-loved creamy florals, Miss Dior touts a daring, smoldering vetiver base.
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Perfume hits all the right notes for the modern woman. At the same time, Coco Mademoiselle holds onto the classic full-bodied construction—citrus, florals and vetiver. Added to that classic trio is a slight touch of musk and vanilla. Coco Mademoiselle is strong, big and super femme in that confident, slightly masculine way. It’s like all the right classic notes that work perfectly for today. Coco Chanel is the older relative, if you will, of Coco Mademoiselle. Coco Chanel is a classic oriental—big, super femme and very deep. The mimosa, frangipani, jasmine and orange blossom notes give Coco Chanel a fabulous girly edge, while the tonka bean, vanilla and benzoin give it a bold, slightly masculine edge. The two—super woman with a touch of masculinity—make a great pairing.
Flora by Gucci is a soft, creamy fruit perfume. It’s said to be the younger sister of the hailed classic Gucci by Gucci. Light and sassy, Flora by Gucci opens with sparkling mandarin and pear notes. The smooth and soothing heart is filled out with peachy osmanthus and vague soft florals. It feels soft, beige, sweet and fruity. So you can see the ads were definitely inspired! Gucci by Gucci, on the other hand, is a down and dirty fruity perfume. Gucci by Gucci is filled with ambiguous fruity accords—guava, pear, tiare flowers—and honeyed, musky patchouli. The major sophisticated-yet-dirty character is what makes Gucci completely different from Flora. The fruity sweetness however is what draws these two together. While Flora is light and breezy, Gucci by Gucci is syrupy and serious—a little like Tresor. With a complete revamp on the fruity sweet perfume, Gucci provides another winner.
Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Paris, launched in 1999, is fresh, high-pitched, invigorating, and way beyond its time. Pulling away from the ozonic, freshly scrubbed scents of the 1990s, Baby Doll is all about zest, spice and pink. After a darling flashy grapefruit opening, Baby Doll settles with sweet pink florals. Rose, freesia and peach are matched with a grounding woody base. Setting out in 1983, Paris is a rose-demon that was also ahead of its time. Totally abandoning the 80s-requisite ingredients—flowers, spice and amber, Paris is a clean, pretty floral. With a solid base of mossy wood-and-musk, Paris fit right into the 80s just as it does today. The two are undoubtedly visionary fragrances.
