Idole d'Armani (2009)
by Giorgio Armani

The House of Armani now has 46 (and counting) fragrances in its stable. Out of that vast number, I can honestly say that I admire only three -- this would be one of them. The original Armani (a dark smoldering chypre beauty, would have sufficed as the signature house frag -- imho) is another.

This opens with a fresh floral/fruity accord that is beguiling, then it deepens and becomes spicier and heady after which it darkens even more -- until it settles into a ravishing mix of patchouli and vetiver. This frag is well constructed and though "Italian" avoids the fruit/salad syndrome so identified with that cliche.

Recommended!

2nd November, 2011. (Last Edited: 7th November, 2011.)

I'm on the fence with this fragrance. While Idole d'Armani is a pleasant floral, I can't say that I've warmed to the fruity undertones. It's almost juicy-floral quality is very foreign to my nose, however I do appreciate its uniqueness.

I like how the ginger and saffron give Idole d'Armani a spicy and rather sensual feel. While the top notes of clementine and pear didn't sit right with me, the ginger made the experience a pleasant one.

The heart is again very interesting with notes of rose, jasmine and saffron creating a rich, spicy floral combination, somewhat comparable to Agent Provocateur, just not as heady and strong.

My favourite part was the drydown which was simplistic yet comforting. The vetiver is smooth and feminine and I can also detect two other notes which I assume to be vanilla and musk which give Idole d'Armani a slightly sweet conclusion.

Overall, the lasting power was not bad at all, however the sillage was actually quite light, a lot lighter than I expected. I think Idole d'Armani is certainly an enjoyable scent, just not for me.

15th June, 2011.

Ok, this is looking like it'll get 100% positive reviews so far, and i have to say I fully agree. This scent has everything that made in a poorly fashion would turn out to be either quirky or really insulting, in the way perfumers nowadays seem to fall head over heels for a soft fruity floral (the trend is still very much strong), but in this case, it's clearly well blended. This lady of a scent is a softly spiced floral that has what it seems a natural elegance and i specially like the bottle which it seems 30s-inspired.
What i get at the topnotes are some ginger and oranges the kind that's not quite ripe but still a bit green, still a bit sweet, the it becomes a rather magnetic mid and base with even more spices with a leather kick and of course, the ever present roses in women's perfumes, only here it's very welcome and it adds to this very attractive woman a touch of flair and delicacy that combined with high quality jasmine, has all the winning notes.

9th August, 2010.

If I may add to the already excellent earlier reviews. When the notes ring clear and individually decipherable, that usually spells one word for me: synthetic. But synthetic only becomes a problem when a fragrance is poorly blended, or inarticulately rendered with flawed selections of complimentary accords.

IDOLE D'ARMANI is evidently the work of a perfumer who has carefully avoided these pitfalls, offering a lush and enjoyable olfactory experience. But this mass market performer still has some ways to go before it acquires any mark of distinction, or some might say 'a soul'.

23rd January, 2010.

Balance” is the key word for Idole. Balance between classic and modern, warm and fresh, sensual and playful, formal and casual. In a great art deco bottle, the perfumer managed to enclose the Armani philosophy of balance and create a scent that knows exactly where it’s going and which fan group to target. Artful blending of citrus notes, spices and florals, mixes the classic with the modern to create a sensual and elegant scent, that is warm without being very sweet and fresh enough to be pleasant for daywear. A beautiful jasmine note in the middle overlaps the saffron and gives that ultra feminine character, while clementine, orange and ginger freshen up the whole composition from top to middle notes. Sensual and warm patchouli and woods take over for the base. A future classic.

9th November, 2009.

A dark fruit. A fruit that makes a lascivious sound when you bite into it. Very green, sweet, yet grounded. The patchouli, ginger and spice definitely steer this scent out of fluffy territory - no spun sugar cotton candy here. Instead, the sugar is a dark, sticky syrup; almost a venom.

The synthetic notes are not bashful, but they oddly enough give a lushness, a poshness. Indeed this is a large designer fragrance, and no niche-market bohemian. But as far as mass-market designer fragrances go, this is quite a winner. Complex, grown up, and deep with fruit and leaf and that ever-present dangerous syrup. Overall, a very pleasant surprise.

Hillary Duff With Love is at home on the shelf next to a bottle of Armani Idole - both have taken the current trend of sweet fruity frag.s and given them a diploma and a stock portfolio.

23rd October, 2009.