Roma (1988)
by Laura Biagiotti

Roma is an odd, translucent oriental which is relatively unknown, and it that regard it shares a lot with Laguna. However, the similarities end there. Roma's opening very Italian, with lots of citrus on top. As it dries, there's a bit of a pine, which references the Pines of Rome. It wears as a vanilla, yet it's surprising fresh. Roma wears close to the skin and is work appropriate.

I like Roma best on warm fall days when the sun is golden and the leaves are about to turn. It's a perfect from-summer-to-fall transition fragrance.

24th September, 2011.

A green-floral powdery light oriental, with the dominant floral notes of  hiacynth and rose and a woody-myrrh talky dry down. The final sweetness is tamed by musk and oakmoss and some animal note with its almost tart-salty undertone. The beginning is a bit citrus, green-aromatic and sour with a sparkling grapefruit waving around before the floral heart starts expressing its sophistication. The final sweetness is a sort of powdery-nutty sweet smell of sandalwood not cloying or too dense and with a floral-talky wake. I don't detect vanilla while is clear the link among amber-patchouli and wood. The patchouli enhances the distinctiveness of the juice. 

31st July, 2011. (Last Edited: 2nd August, 2011.)

l tried this way back when it was first launched, after falling in love with the bottle. l remember it as having a strongly herbal opening, followed by a spicy, ambery drydown & a creamy vanillic base. lt struck me as very much an eighties power fragrance, in the same vein as Obsession. l wasn't ready for it then, but l would love to try it again. l don't see it around any more, though. Has it been discontinued? l think it would make a very warming fragrance in cold weather.

21st February, 2011.

I bought Roma without testing as the shop had no testers of this...but Im glad I did buy it, a beautiful, distinctive fragrance

13rd May, 2010.

This reminds me of a toothpaste in the bottom of an ashtray which may not sound that appealing but it's just the image I get. It's not flowery but it is warm. I don't get any vanilla but most of my perfumes have vanilla in them maybe it's masquerading as ash? Who knows, I love it anyway.

Agree with other reviewers, it doesn't change that much over time.

21st April, 2010.

Starts off with vanilla-orange ice cream dusted with fresh black pepper - very nice! And actually stays this way, pretty much, with the pepperiness dying down only somewhat. I'm conflicted. While pretty distinctive, this does not seem to have that much personality. I imagine I would tire of it quickly. But if I had it, I'd wear it, often and in abundance - it seems to wear lightly, little to no sillage. Very upbeat and happy, reminds me in feel if not in all notes of Kenzo's 7:15 am in Bali, which I own, so probably won't be buying Roma, sadly.

1st August, 2009.