Deci Delà (1994)
by Nina Ricci

I'm not surprised that DECI DELA was discontinued, because it is a very confusing composition. The opening offers a waft of chemical-smelling solvent which would no doubt turn off lots of people. However, patience pays off in this case, as the drydown of this fruity chypre is delightful. Similar in some ways to other perfumes in this cateogry, including YVRESSE and Rochas FEMME, DECI DELA has a distinctive raspberry note which brings it closest of all, according to my nose, to Bond no 9 BRYANT PARK. The primary difference between the Nina Ricci and the Bond is that the latter is significantly sweeter than the former, with raspberry becoming a focal note (along with rhubarb, which is not present in DECI DELA at all), although it is still ensconced in a gorgeous modern chypre.

I have the eau de toilette and the eau de toilette concentree of DECI DELA, and I really enjoy both and find that the longevity and sillage are quite good even in the edt. Whenever I wear this perfume, I find myself remarking at some point during the drydown how lovely I smell. (-: But I do aver that the opening could be a real turn off. I would recommend BRYANT PARK to those who like the general idea and aesthetic of DECI DELA but wish to skip the solventy opening.

27th July, 2011.

I bought this blind due to some good reviews. Deci Dela is a very synthetic floral smell on me, it smells like something is missing or not quite right. IMO this perfume reminds me of a cheap floral air freshner...which is not my cup of tea. I don't like this one at all.

15th November, 2009.

Deci Dela shares a synthetic, high-end jelly candy quality that's present in another I've tried recently, Mukhallat, but without the exoticism, richness, and imagination. But those qualities don't appear to be the aim of this perfume, anyway.
DD opens with a blast of maraschino cherries. It then settles into some very clean flowers, surprising me by not being as sweet as the opening implies. The maraschino note comes creeping back in and holds steady for the next couple hours.
DD strikes me as a very young perfume, and reminds me of Shirley Temple singing "On the Good Ship Lollipop."

15th March, 2009.

Capricious, dazzling, and effervescent, it is delightfully fruity without, for me, being cloyingly so. The woods and chypre ground it nicely. A keeper, especially for summer.

21st February, 2009.

A fun and lively fruity and nutty delight. Not particularly cerebral but who cares? This is cute perfumery at its best without any trite cliches.

21st January, 2009.

My mum used to have this when I was little. Sometimes I secretely sprayed my self with it, and enjoyed it so much! It is a fresh, feminine combination of woods and fruit, very well combined.

24th November, 2008.