Gianfranco Ferré (1984)
by Gianfranco Ferré

There's a whole lotta white florals in the composition, and I normally don't like white flowers, but I like this. It feels like a floral aldehyde, in a 1980s style but not quite as loud. I get a bit of powdery orris, plus the oiliness of benzoin. Those two accords really balance out the florals in the arrangement to me, making this a floral fragrance that I like to wear rather than one that I'd avoid.

Well done, and highly recommended for sampling, even for closet floral-phob's like me.

30th September, 2011. (Last Edited: 1st October, 2011.)

I remember Gianfranco Ferre when it was released: I thought the Parfum bottle was so beautiful; unfortunately I found the fragrance itself rather non-descript:

The fragrance is a rather bland, light, white floral; not a family of fragrances which really "does it for me" anyway; no particular notes stand out, but I'd say there is possibly a touch of violet.

Gianfranco Ferre is definitely not an unpleasant fragrance, just rather bland, and in no way can be compared to white florals such as Coeur Joie. It is the sort of fragrance I would wear to work, (where I wouldn't wear one of my favourites, and associate it with work ever after), though I would be very unlikely to buy it.

28th March, 2010.

Gianfranco Ferre Eau de Parfum has a very interesting peppery spiced fruit opening that reminds me a lot of the recent Magnolia Romana(!), but sweeter. The scent soon becomes more floral, with the peppery effect resolving into a pleasantly sharp green note. The structure eventually evolves into a moderately sweet and very well-blended white floral arrangement, though the quietly bitter green accent persists to add complexity and balance to the composition.

The impression Gianfraco Ferre EdP leaves is one of understated sophistication. While by no means weak or stingy, this is an unusually transparent example of its type. Because it’s relatively free of indole, it’s also a very “clean” scent, though one that avoids both hackneyed aquatic aromachemicals and any suggestion of laundry detergent. If you like white flowers in principle, but find white floral fragrances too heavy, heady, or blousy, Gianfranco Ferre may be your scent.

The drydown is a blend of powdery vanillic notes and cedar that maintains the balance between sweet and crisp that characterizes the top notes and the heart. Gianfraco Ferre is not an exciting or challenging scent by nature, but very well crafted, wearable and versatile. It would make a particularly fine professional or office scent, especially in warmer weather, when heavier floral fragrances might become oppressive.

14th December, 2009.

Gianfranco Ferre possesses a versatility lacking in so many florals. This is light enough for daywear, but with a buttery tuberose note that is substantial enough to induce an eyelash-fluttering sigh. On my skin, tuberose predominates, once the initial opening of orange blossom settles down. Hints of honeysuckle are also apparent, but they are just that...hints. The other heart notes are very well blended and they simply support the whole. The base is a subtle, soft, dry musk which serves as a perfect platform for the floral notes. This is the perfect floral for me, slightly tuberose-phobic person that I am. It works.

3rd January, 2009. (Last Edited: 3rd July, 2009.)

A suprisingly beautiful floral! My initial expectation was an 'over the top' blend ~ as so many frags from the 80's were. But not here! The orange blossom and tuberose are primary, while the whites and greens support them. Especially nice is the addition of moss in the base, the perfect touch to dry and ground all those flowers! I would also describe GF as timeless...just simply beautiful!

20th June, 2007.

Flathorn’s description is spot on, all I can add is the noting of individual skin reactions: I get mostly orange blossom from the top and tuberose from the floral middle. I think that the fact that I can pick out the notes attests to the high quality of the fragrance—the notes are very true and are nicely differentiated. It has an excellently subtle dry down of sandal and cedar woods but no spices and just a touch of sweet. Gianfranco Ferre is a well-made lovely fragrance. It’s an appropriate partner to the man’s version, Ferre, which is also an accomplished fragrance and one of my favorites.

6th April, 2007.