Violetta di Parma (1870)
by Borsari

I'm not a hugh fan of the violet note, but was I was interested to see it done in the "old fashion" style of perfume - single note floral.
This is very true to form, it's all about the violet. It is a nice, non-sweet, non-shrill violet though. About midway in there is a very soft, non-powdery iris note than keeps this balanced. The iris brings just a bit of an earthy feel, so you could almost imagine you were out sniffing the real deal. The fragrance is very linear and pleasant, with a soft musk drydown.
Well done composition.

18th May, 2011.

Violetta di Parma has been a staple in my fragrance wardrobe for the past ten years or so.
I am afraid this has suffered a recent reformulation as the bottle I bought in 2010 smells a bit different than the one I bought in 2002, but nevertheless it remains the ultimate violet fragrance to me.

It has gotten me more compliments from acquaintances and perfect strangers than any other scent.
It is versatile, feminine, discreet, uplifting and sweet in a clean way. The violet note in it is fresh and not powdery and is the closest thing to real violets I have ever smelled (I have grown violets in my garden since I was 6)

I own a vintage bottle of "estratto" (extrait) and it smells a lot woodier and more substantial than the current EDP.

2nd January, 2011.

I like this very much it's been around for almost 150 years and it's easy to see why.

It's a simple straightforward floral/musk combination I would imagine that on different people it would have a different composition but each one compositon would be like the chords of a guitar--unique sounds but each still pleasing to hear.

Anyone who knows me well knows I'm a sucker for anything Italian and VdP proves again why I think Italian fragrances champion the French ones anyday.

7th October, 2010.

A very green violet -to the point of resembling 'green bananas' ! I wish it didn't . I prefer Penhaligon's Violetta.

23rd June, 2010.

This is a gorgeous violet; it immediately conjures the most delicate mindspaces--Italian forest floors in spring, when the little violets peep out from the leaf mold, delicate mountain streams you come upon just knowing that you surprised a bathing nymph, since a delicate, haunting odor pervades the air. A tin of violet pastilles, floral, musky, and with that core of violet/anise. E.M. Forster's A Room With a View. Diana in a diaphanous linen gown, arrows and bow at her side. The color violet. Sweet breath.

It smells old-fashioned, yes. And that is wonderful. It is nostalgic for a time of delicate love letters, prolonged courtship, and refined table manners. A time when spring really meant the airing out of one's house and one's life, walks in the countryside, and the delicate surprise of a perfect, scented little flower.

8th April, 2010.

I love this, but it's so light that sometimes I can't smell it so good. When I can smell it, I get whiffs of dirt and I like that, combined with violets, although it's kind of faint. I think I like violets in leather and patchouli. Isn't it neat to find out through scents what you go for the most? The more you try, the more you get your own preferences to come forward.

8th March, 2010.