Jasmin Rouge

I usually reach for my "Jasmin Rouge" when I am in my "femme fatale" mood (which can be any day or night, really), but still ought to "behave" myself. It opens up on me with powerful ylang-ylang sprinkled with ginger and mandarin juice. I do not get any cinnamon or pepper, and cardamon must be "in disguise" somewhere, as it is imperceptible to me too. Jasmine here is neither sharp nor animalistic, and due ylang-ylang's strength, it gains into a tuberose-like smoothness at the start. It can feel rather confusing, but with time, jasmine regains it more classic/familiar self, with indolic notes coming through, supported by neroli. Labdanum and vanilla are narcotic-like in their duet, long before other perfumers started using the expression for their creations. Projection is very good, sillage is beautiful and lasting power is out of this world (those were the times when the price ws justified by how little of the perfume was needed to last a day without any "top ups" needed). I suppose the word "Rouge" was meant to convey the sensuality of the fragrance, rather than the colours that it invokes. Personally, I see the bouquet as golden-cream, with an occasional speck of carmine red & ochre popping through. "Jasmin Rouge" is the LBD of my fragrance wardrobe as it can be dressed up or down for any occasion and during any time of the year, by simply selecting an extra spray for intensity, or keeping it on the "classic" points only. It is also the scent that I associate with Tom Ford himself, especially his early work at YSL and Gucci, as his collections were always provocative, daring, but, at the same time, did not go overboard, were perfectly wearable for the right occasions and were the earliest transcenders between male and female clothes (in my memory). This is why even though "Jasmin Rouge" is considered to be a female fragrance, I can very well see it on a man in an evening jacked of velvet and silk satin, tuxedo trousers and no shirt, with sunshades on after 9 pm...oh, hang on - this is "La Dolce Vita" by Federico Fellini! - I just had my man lose the shirt and the tie (LOL). Yes, "Jasmin Rouge" is an early Tom Ford with silk and satin and velvet, deep cuts, sleek silhouettes, endearing arrogance of youth, sexuality and stylish living; its Hedonism in a garnet red bottle, sharp-edged and enticing, and AB-SO-LUTE-LY IRRESISTIBLE. Enjoy!