This is another in a series of bargain fragrance reviews, scents that may be found online or at discount stores for US $25 or less. Leave a comment below for your chance to receive a sample, shipped anywhere in the world, free!
Notes:“Top notes are aldehydes, orange, fruity notes and bergamot; middle notes are carnation, sandalwood, patchouli, cinnamon, orris root, cedar and rose; base notes are honey, tonka bean, amber, musk, benzoin, oakmoss and vanilla.” Fragrantica.com
Reminds me of: Tiffany for Men, Givenchy Gentleman, Bond No. 9 H.O.T. Always, Fresh Patchouli Pure.
Designer’s Description:N/A
Number of times tested: 10 times over the last 2 months.
Number of sprays applied for this review: 1 spray to the back of my hand from a new 50ml bottle I purchased online (ca. 2010).
Fragrance strength: EDT
Longevity: (Short / Average / Long-lasting) I get about 8-10 hours with this one.
Sillage: (A Little / Average / A Lot) “Powerhouse” is an apt description here; best to use sparingly if in close quarters or warm weather.
Note about the packaging: A flask-shaped, striated glass bottle with silver cap and accents housed in a yellow and white-striped paper box with Giorgio of Beverly Hills insignia. Vintage boxes read “For Men” while newer boxes also include “Pour Homme”.
Where can I buy it? My 50ml EDT spray was found in a discount shop (USA) for $10 USD.
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The Bottom Line: Ah, Giorgio, the scent of the 80’s! Before the beach scents, the green tea scents, and the barely there fresh scents, Giorgio for Men offered not one but two variations on a theme: the men’s oriental chypre. By no means groundbreaking compositions - as Givenchy Gentleman from a decade earlier offered the same basic structure but with focus on civet and vetiver, and 1980’s Oscar de la Renta’s pour Lui (reviewed here) also followed a similar blueprint but with focus on labdanum and leather – there was something about Giorgio (and Giorgio V.I.P Special Reserve) that captured the imagination of a generation. Giorgio represented a way of life, new Hollywood glamour and modern American style. Whereas the tuberose and orange blossom explosion of Giorgio (for women) retained some of its market, the mens’ scents disappeared soon after the brand had been sold to Avon in 1987. Twenty years later, Giorgio for Men (only the original, not the V.I.P.) was re-launched when the Giorgio label was acquired by Elizabeth Arden. To me, Giorgio has always smelled most strongly of three things: ink, petrol and patchouli. To my gourmand-loving nose this should be a complete turn off. But I find it compelling, disturbing and addictive. Maybe it’s the nostalgia, or maybe it’s just a darn good fragrance, but every time I reach for it I think, “Ummmm, do I really want to smell like that?” and then every time I wear it I think, “Wow! Is that ME who smells so good?” Part of this reticence to wear Giorgio is that it starts off BIG, LOUD, and GREEN; and part of this pleasure is the journey it takes to its basenotes offering rose tinges, hints of sandalwood and a sweet, amberydrydown. In fact, I’d say it really needs to be sampled with patience to understand its full glory. For the price, a purchase of Giorgio offers a glimpse into the American scented past. |
Having lived in the USA, UK, Japan & Finland, Marlen currently resides in Washington, DC where he works both part-time at The Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the American Indian and as a professor / faculty supervisor for Southern New Hampshire University’s online graduate programs in Writing and Literature. Learn more about Marlen at http://ift.tt/1wkFQA0.
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