Dolce & Gabbana (1992)
by Dolce & Gabbana

This is one of my favourite designer fragrances. I remember trying it when it was released in the early nineties, but couldn't wear it then - I was probably too young for it. It's very feminine - but in a powerful way, this is a scent for women, not girls.

It's very warm, floral oriental scent, yet fresh - probably because of the lovely basil and ivy top notes. The drydown is divine, musk with a hint of vanilla. It is very well balanced and long-lasting, it lasts all day for me, but then I live in a cold climate. I use this one during cold autumn and winter days to heat me up.

I agree on what other reviewers said - this is a classic! The only thing that reveals it to be a 90's scent is the packaging, that could probably use an update - but I hope they never change the juice!

I consider this perfume a bit moody, a fragrance with a strong personality and individuality. It's perfect if you want to feel different. It's rich, opulent, and powerful. There is a strong contrast between sweetness and masculinity, old and new, classic and modern, but surprisingly, all these elements blend together perfectly.

Bought this recently (was hard to find, has disappeared from a lot of shops where they used to sell it in the UK, I wondered are they going to discontinue it? Surely not.) I LOVE the topnotes that hit my nose with a pretty and unique citrus strength. However on me, with time, I detected a weirdness appearing from this perfume (maybe its the carnation - can't stand the smell of them) that I found offputting. I would say it's a knock em dead power perfume but one of the nicer ones. The D&G site describes it as having a masculine edge which I found to be true. Like their Light Blue I think its a masterful construction but as it was only the top notes that did it for me - and they don't last long - it wouldn't be something I would want in my collection although I love the bottle. Gave it to my mum, she loves it.

This was once my signature fragrance. I was 25 at the time, and living on my own in the city. It's a very strong, old-fashioned powerhouse of a scent that need be used sparingly. When I wore it I feel like I could face a crowd of men at a board meeting and be confident.

It smells like incense and asphalt on a hot rainy day in the city. Does that even make sense? :)

It does have a lovely dry-down and will last on skin for the whole day. Blends beautifully with skin oils.

The reviews of this are interesting. Some think that this a warm fragrance. I got just the opposite impression. I could really pick out the basil, coriander and petitgrain and there is something very fresh about that combination. Also, I felt that, although this perfume was long lasting, it wasn't too strong. A very versatile and unusual scent. Even though it is not a scent that I can't do without, I like it & will probably buy it again.

It is difficult to pinpoint the time period in which this fragrance belongs. It isn’t classic, it’s not modern. It does remind me a lot of the fragrances of the CK Eternity generation: But in a way it seems more modern than Eternity – and certainly better. I get an unusual, almost synthetic, feeling in the opening. The top notes claim aldehydes and ivy, and between those two notes, that might account for the unusual top accord that I’m getting. When the fragrance reaches the heart notes, I get an “ancestor” accord – an accord that seems an ancestor to Light Blue. It’s nice to find continuum and historical precedence in a fragrance. The middle notes are floral but are not flowery – these florals serve more as neutral texture than as lush abundantly flowery notes – the same use of florals as occurs in Light Blue. There is a soapy feeling to Dolce & Gabbana, and it’s quite a strong fragrance – being light on the trigger is advisable. I can imagine it getting quite heady and uncontrolled in hot weather. Great longevity. This is an excellent fragrance that has proved its excellence by surviving so well for so long. For being Dolce & Gabbana’s first fragrance it is quite an achievement. An appreciative thumbs up for this fragrance.