Passion (1983)
by Annick Goutal

One balmy summer day in around the mid/late 80s, I was heading through Knightsbridge - intent on browsing around Harrods. Suddenly, I became aware of a bit of a commotion going on and suddenyl a stunning and slender tall blonde lady rushing along the pavement - with a handful of photographers in hot pursuit.

It was, of course, the beautiful Princess of Wales - Diana. My two abiding memories were the flashing blue fury in her eyes at once again being hounded by the press and, as she passed, a faint trace of the most beautiful fragrance I had ever smelled anywhere. Belive me, photographs have neve done her justice. Her beauty in the flesh was almost surreal.

Sometime later I read that one of her favourite scents was Passion by Annick Goutal and, curiousity and the memory of her beautiful fragrance, drew me so that the next time I was in Harrods, I tried it for myself. Oh Wow! This was the ONE! As soon as the sample on my wrist started to dry down, I was back in that street gaping in wonder at one of the most famous women in British history.

I still wear Passion very often and it almost seems to sum up everything I remember about Diana - it is graceful, feminine and warm. If ever a fragrance could so perfectly 'match' the wearer then it is this one.

I'm finding it harder to get hold of in the UK and in the Annick Goutal boutique in Knightbridge, they tell me that they no lnoger do the bath and body lines as there is no longer a demand for them. Thankfully, I can still get the EDT and EDP. I'm praying that the fragrance continues forever because in my opinion it is matchless. Reading the other reviews on here, everyone has summed it up perfectly. It is one of the best 'secret' scents - worn only by very few women - and as stunning as our lovely Princess of Wales was herself.

22nd May, 2011.

When I first smelt this, I melted. Passion is so unbelievably unique, warm, enticing and sexy. While wearing this scent for only a few minutes, and walking down a crowded street, heads were turning and men were stopping me and asking what I was wearing. With only one simple spray of this potion on my wrist, I felt confident, beautiful and glamorous.

The first initial spray is indeed rather heady and strong, but the scent itself is unlike anything else. The warm vanilla, jasmine and tuberose blend is to die for. The scent reminds me of old fashioned stores filled with lace, rose scented oils and antiques. Passion is such a comforting scent with a slight incense touch in the base notes which settles beautifully on the skin.

Because this fragrance is niche you won't find many women wearing this, hence the reason why I love this fragrance so dearly. The lasting power is fantastic and the warmth in the drydown is unlike anything I've ever tried before.

This is a must for lovers of floral scents, or women searching for something expensive smelling yet unique and sophisticated.

26th April, 2011.

The resurrected Passion marries the brisk, refreshingly bitter green floral style that Annick Goutal exploits so well in Eau de Ciel, Le Chèvrefeuille, and Folavril to a lush arrangement of indolic tropical white flowers, centered principally on tuberose. With its minty top note and conspicuous galbanum, the result suggests a more demure and conventional variant on Serge Lutens’s iconoclastic Tubéreuse Criminelle. In fact, if the 1983 version of Passion smelled anything like today’s, it could well have served as Christopher Sheldrake’s template for the Lutens!

From its mint, tomato leaf, and eucalyptus opening, Passion moves on to a sweet, luminous, and somewhat fleshy accord of tuberose, green jasmine, galbanum, and ylang-ylang. Persistent traces of eucalyptus cool the floral accord, which holds a linear course for several hours before trailing off into a gentle clean musk and vanilla drydown. Sillage and projection are both adequate but never intrusive, and the entire composition has pleasantly relaxed and natural feel to it, despite the tendency of tuberose to indulge in high drama.

Whatever the genealogy, if you’re intrigued by the cough drop-plus-tuberose of Tubéreuse Criminelle but can’t quite bring yourself to wear anything so strange, (or if can’t get hold of a bell jar from the EU,) Passion might be just your thing. Likewise, if you crave tuberose, but feel overwhelmed by the traditionally buxom approach of Fracas and Amarigue, Passion offers a comparatively restrained and easygoing alternative.

14th March, 2010. (Last Edited: 15th March, 2010.)

Tuberose and jasmine from Grasse blend with vanilla to create the warm and heady scent... ~Annick Goutal's ingrediant list
I first smelled this from the bottle and thought it smelled sort of peppery, bold and not very floral. It seemed to have that old fashioned smell that you are not sure if it smells good or not.
Was I ever wrong! I wonder how anyone can smell a scent from the bottle and have any idea of what it really smells like? After letting it settle on my skin, it completely changed.
This perfume is absolutely beautiful! I can see why it was Annicks' signature scent. It is just strong enough and the florals unfold perfectly. The tuberose does not have any of the sharp unpleasant side to it and it blends into the jasmine that also is soft and sweet without any of the jasmine sharpness. I don't really smell vanilla unless it is the holding scent that allows the Tuberose and Jasmine to blend smoothly. As with all of Annick Goutal's scents, that make me love thier whole line, there is a point that you can smell the trademark AG scent. It too passes through before getting to the final scent that lasts a while.
I enjoy scents that last just long enough, then you start to think, "its time to put more on". ~The sign of a truly good perfume!

17th January, 2010.

Tuberose, jasmine, vanilla, oakmoss.
Captivatingly pretty scent from Annick Goutal. I find it lighthearted, joyous, uplifting and an ideal scent for springtime. I don't detect the oakmoss at all but love the jasmine and tuberose which are softened by vanilla.

22nd March, 2007.