Gold (2006)
by Donna Karan

I took a chance on Donna Karan GOLD and am very happy that I did. The reviews I'd seen were really mixed: some caught cucumber, others pencil shavings, still others touted GOLD as a masterpiece. To my nose, the opening of GOLD bears similarities to Lalique FLORA BELLA. No idea why, frankly, given that lily is the star of the GOLD show, while the Lalique composition has a hefty orchid note. But maybe that is after all part of the explanation, since lilies and orchids, in my experience, share a kind of dark, almost dirty quality. Not that GOLD smells dirty. Nor do I catch any cucumber or pencil shavings. And my biggest concern, that the clove would be too much—as one reviewer finds—has no basis in reality. I do not even smell the clove as an individual note, so skillfully is this blended.

How to describe GOLD, in the end? I'd say that it has a kind of genuine nobility to it, thus earning its name. A beautiful, slightly oriental, lily-rich floral composition with great longevity and an addictive quality. Now I really need to take up FLORA BELLA again, as my perceptions of that perfume have changed quite a bit since having acquired a bottle...

19th July, 2011.

I am enjoying Donna Karan Gold quite a bit. It has proven itself to be a beautifully composed floral with warm spices and ambery goodness.

The scent is actually rather light which may be my only gripe with this fragrance. When I think gold, I think extravagance. Boldness, richness, sensuality, attention, extreme pride and dominance. Donna Karan's Gold is a little too much on the quiet side, a little like copper to me, not gold.

But casting all opinions aside, this fragrance is indeed glamorous and elegant. The lily in Gold is very dominant and feminine. The amber, cloves and patchouli only add to this fragrance's warmth and prevent the lily note from smelling too fresh and watery.

The pretty floral softness of this scent would suit a blushing bride on her wedding day or compliment a sweet and innocent blonde in a pretty, floral-printed sundress. Donna Karan Gold is reserved and lady-like, not at all raunchy or seductive.

The complexity and fantastic sillage has me wound up in its spell. I really do love this scent although lily isn't one of my favourite notes. My cousin actually wore this on her wedding day along with a bouquet of rare white lillies. She loved the flower so much that she named her first born daughter Lily. I'm certain this fragrance will always be a staple in her collection.

15th June, 2011.

Gold EDT comes on strong and in your face with a beautiful, spicy lily. It does indeed have a greenish watery note (the previously mentioned cucumber note) that does not take away from the intensity of this fragrance. Instead, it combines to add the illusion of "dew" on the flower. This is thick, creamy and intense for the first hour or so.
Then it takes an about face. The amber rises up, and the scent calms down to a skin scent. It's a beautiful one, with the spiciness of the lily combining with the warmth of the amber. But I've rarely seen the switch turned so quickly from loud to quiet.
In both phases, this fragrance sings it's fresh yet intense beautiful song all the way til the end - which for me, is about 4-5 hours later. Again, a skin scent for the last 3-4 hours.
Lovely, and I would imagine the EDP would be also. The EDP could possibly be worth investigating just for the bottle alone! That's a perfume bottle!

15th May, 2011. (Last Edited: 21st September, 2011.)

I really want to like this scent, especially due to all the positive reviews but I find it very heavy and the smell of lily seems very concentrated. I will persevere with this as my bottle is still full and I don't hate it but I think I need to give it more time.

18th February, 2011.

Gold is an interesting take on the floriental. I understand that the EDT and EDP vary a good bit. I have the EDP. The opening lily note is so succulent and fresh. The lily is way out front and Gold seems like it’s going to be a straight-out soliflore. The freshness lingers into the heart when an amber sweetness replaces the watery feel of the lily. At this point, the lily remains, but its spiciness emerges and makes a smooth transition from coolness to warmth.

I don’t know how it’s done, but what a smart transition! The wet coolness becomes a humid warmth, and water comes to feel like a scent note alongside lily and amber. The floral note (notes? jasmine?) becomes indolic, and the steamy floral, with the sweet but slightly scratchy amber, gives a languid feel that, once it starts, lasts to the end of the drydown.

22nd January, 2011.

Fantastic fruity and fresh long lasting unisex scent; perfect for any time of the day or year when you want to stay happy and cheery...

Big Thumbs up...!!!

13rd January, 2011.