John Galliano John Galliano for women

This one is smoky violet sensation for me Very deep and intensive Not much of flower scent left after drydown,but the smoky soap,perfectly spiced and rich velvety suede MAGICAL Nothing could be compared to this perfume I am addicted...

I am coming to an undeniable realization that I have an affinity for the combination of violets, iris, and angelica. Something about this combination to me is so magical, nostalgic and melancolic. Pure enchantment. And that's exactly what John Galliano is. Incense joins in on this beautiful medley and pretty much stays dominant throughout. This is the stuff of fairies and poetry, the ultimate romance. I think of William Shakespeare and Edgar Allen Poe with this scent...dark, gothic, and hauntingly beautiful.

I think of A Midsummer Night Dream, and Edgar Allen Poe's Annabel Lee. Simply beautiful, powdery, unique, special.
I can just imagine the fairies dancing among the wild angelica, irises, wearing violets in their hair on a Midsummer Night's Dream...magic...

I can not live without this sensational perfume, # 1 of Galliano is gothic, unisex at all, and I get many compliments.
And the giant bottle is so beautiful, elegant, inspired. And 'genius, total art.
A Masterpiece. 10/10 & Love.

Ohh my beloved John Galliano EDP... Deep, rich and so special.. magical, mystic and somehow tragical. Very beautiful fragrance

I have reviewed this fragrance once before.
Now I'm just reviewing it again, wearing it on a cold rainy Autumn day in Australia.

It has lasted an entire day & some....got wafts of it's scent intermittently throughout the day...so STRONG, so floral & smokey & 'cool' in it's composition.

I hold this fragrance with high reverence.
It is unique & utterly exquisite.

Nice violet, iris plus rose and aldehydes scent. I don't feel incense as a heavy or a prominent note in this fragrance at all. It is very well blended or at least it sounds very beautiful on my skin. Elegant, interesting and long lasting scent. As it was mentioned in the comments it smells like mint tea with a twist. Fresh and not boring the same time.

"This is very original one, among all notes there is no place for weak, delicate ones: all are intensive or even extremely intensive. Wearing this scent is extravagant, its power fills the interior, and ones can say that silage is even tiring, though lasting power is not inferior, not in the least."
I totally agree with this quote of Hagakure!
I fell for this scent first smelling it on blotter. On my skin the first 1 hour smells like mild soap and mostly incense, but then comes the drydown which is amazing - violet-learthery-incense blend!
I'm thinking that perfume would be just perfect during winter time. Oh, I find the sprayer very tricky to work with, which is a let down.

This is very original one, among all notes there is no place for weak, delicate ones: all are intensive or even extremely intensive. Wearing this scent is extravagant, its power fills the interior, and ones can say that silage is even tiring, though lasting power is not inferior, not in the least. I am from Poland, hence I perfectly know how ecclesiastical incense in church that remembers middle ages smells. I can agree with such comparisons, however I would precise that in Galliano's scent this note is ragged with smoked wood, what doesn't mean anything negative, but then from the ascetic it rather becomes a smell of stale boudoirs upholstered in velvet and soaked with the smells of heavy alcohols, warmed essential oils and leather. It was a birthday gift from boyfriend, very useful as it perfectly suits old-fashioned evening events such as classical music concert or premiere at the theater. I must also admit, that despite it's pomp and intrusion it is intoxicating and addicting.

This is very original one, among all notes there is no place for weak, delicate ones: all are intensive or even extremely intensive. Wearing this scent is extravagant, its power fills the interior, and ones can say that silage is even tiring, though lasting power is not inferior, not in the least. I am from Poland, hence I perfectly know how ecclesiastical incense in church that remembers middle ages smells. I can agree with such comparisons, however I would precise that in Galliano's scent this note is ragged with smoked wood, what doesn't mean anything negative, but then from the ascetic it rather becomes a smell of stale boudoirs upholstered in velvet and soaked with the smells of heavy alcohols, warmed essential oils and leather. It was a birthday gift from boyfriend, very useful as it perfectly suits old-fashioned evening events such as classical music concert or premiere at the theater. I must also admit, that despite it's pomp and intrusion it is intoxicating and addicting.

Strange smell. I do not belong to the Christian religion. I visit churches in Europe only during my trips. I love to visit churches. Space of many churches smells like the smell of the perfume of John Galliano: the smell of something old, mysterious smell, the smell of old wood, layers of incense.
I love the smell of old churches but ... But it's weird carry the smell of the church on my skin during the day ..
Not for me ...

John Galliano is certainly unusual ! On me, it opens with lightly powdered sweet fruits and violets. A bit fruity, like cherry, and currant jam. After about an hour, this fragrance changes into deep, lasting sweet amber powder and sweet incense. Powdery florals are still present, with the sweet fruity "jam" underneath playing a supporting role.

Longevity : It lasts forever on cloth and in my hair. Fades a little on skin, becomes a lot lighter, but it's still there untl I wash it off.

Silage: Strong projection for the first hour, then softens to delicious powdery incense skin scent.

I really like this perfume ! It's very different from my other incense perfumes.

I have the original John Galliano EDP in a glass bottle. The bottle is unusual, too. No cap to remove ! Just press gently on top of the "G" on the bottle to spray.

If you like powdery sweet incense perfumes you can't go wrong with this one. VERY feminine sweet !

When I was a kid I often go the the church with school. I always hated the smell that lingers there, it made me so sick. Once it was so bad I pass out.

John Galliano is exactly the smell of pure incense and takes me back to Christmas and Easter. However I don't like it, it's funny it smells so familiar!

all I can say is that the parfum is magical. it;s so hard to describe. but I fell in love with it instantly.

I tried a sample of this today and when I first put it on, it was wonderful while wet. It resembled a less expensive version of Iris Ganache (only with purple dolls, violets, sensual vanilla, and cozy plastic). I was ready to skip around doing a happy dance thinking I had found a less costly dupe, but then it all came to a sudden halt within five minutes when I was blasted with sharp patchouli marinating in rubbing alcohol.

Now an hour later I smell something almost pretty again, kind of like the cute plastic berries that you feed to Baby Alive, but it's overpowered by something that smells like the blast of a perfume department where the SAs have been spraying every perfume into the air. Maybe the sample was old?

Brings nostalgic and retro mood in the best sense. Sassy, sophisticated and memorable flavor. Suitable for women who prefer to stand out.

It's mystic, smokey, dark. The incense softly slips through my fingers and lingers on. I love the purple notes of lavender and violet which break the sweetness. Overall there is this dusty scent of the old treasure chest and old wooden church, someone already mentioned. The scent of dark secrets and powdery bouduoir. If I was to ompare it to some other perfume I used to wear it slightl resembles Shalimar and Hypnotic Poison. Definetely worth a try.

This # 1 of Galliano EDP smells like jewels, rubies, emeralds and diamonds. A treasure chest enclosed in a bottle of poetic dreams and luxurious.
For me, 5/5: GREAT QUALITY.
I hope they do not interrupt the production of this beautiful work of art, is the best oriental-floral-incense that I ever heard.

This will catch your attention if you occasionally as do I seek out a dark moody fragrance to reflect upon. I picture myself alone curled up on a moss green sofa in a cozy purple robe reading either Rebecca or the 13th Chapter. I catch what warmth I can from the fire as it slowly gives way to just glowing embers. The storm outside is raging but I'm feeling content to make my way alone to my bed chamber with just a candle to lead the way.
I love it when a perfume can speak to you for whatever reason.
This settles down to a beautiful violet incense.

The most beautiful bottle of all time here contains the most magical scent that I've ever tried. A peony rose with soft delicate hint of angelica, frankincense, orris , violet and musks, a pleasure definitely unisex, which I do not want to give up. I confess to you that I have started to stock this EDP. It seems discontinued :(

smells like buddha temple~

Beautiful scent in a beautiful bottle . . . I believe it is discontinued so Id recommend getting your hands on it quick ! This is too good to miss out on , and very different to the majority of modern designer scents.

I was lucky to get a sample of another fragrantica member in a sample swap ( along with annik goutal , guerlain , bvlgari and serge lutens !) - a very nice little package indeed - Thank you to Moly!

I get the smoky incense and violet , wood and aldehydes ....Yes it does have a Gothic church like vibe as others have also reported.... Its almost as if this could be a scent thats laid dormant in an attic for 100years , something from another time and place ...Potent and long lasting - Thumbs Up ! ( I can no longer tolerate perfumes that are gone after 10mins unless they are cheap - very cheap at that )


I wore it the other day while visiting a family grave , the grave is in a very old churchyard with "high victorian" architecture - The scent seemed perfect for the surroundings. Not a happy/fizzy/fun scent , grown up and quite serious but not morbid or depressing at all ( despite the dark , gothic vibe) ..... It does have a sexy side too ! I will be buying a full bottle ASAP and i will wear it when im having one of my "victorian gothic" look days. . . . . This scent is for dark souls who like to wear black feather capes , purple lace and leather/pvc/latex. . . . I will be saving this for special occasions and wearing it for the next Whitby Goth Weekend. . . . Cant wait to wander round the ruins of Whitby Abbey ( of the places in which bram stokers "Dracula" is set )


10/10 - No complaints or minus points to this fume at all , it is also a reasonable price for the quality.

John Galliano is the perfect mix of Guerlain’s Shalimar and Vivienne Westwood’s Boudoir! John Galliano makes me think of young women in the 1920’s. A very nostalgic fragrance that is romantic, classy, and sophisticated. A vintage love affair in a gorgeous bottle! I love violet and iris, but I’m not a big fan of heavy incense and dislike strong aldehydes so I was a little nervous about blind buying this. I do not regret it! The incense is gentle with a light, smoky sweetness while the aldehydes offer a soft fresh lemon scent that blends perfectly with the powdery violet and iris. In the dry down you get a touch of rose with warm patchouli and amber. It’s beautiful!

50 Shades of Violet,

From pale Lavender to the darkest Aubergine, John Galliano Created a scent In homage to the
Complexities of the Color Purple in it's many forms,
I love how Mr Galliano has taken and
Layered 3 of the different shades of purple fauna, and let them Interplay with each other
Pale Lavender Caressing with Dark blue Iris Or Crushed dark Purple Violets mingles with Iris, It Conjours A dance of the Seven Veils with each veil slowly Revealing different
Shade of Purple ranging to Pale Lavender to the Darkest Aubergine The Incense adds a bit of
Exotica and Mystery A wisp of smoke slowly rises like a Serpent and dances among the Purple
Veils Adds Sex in John Galliano,

Almost all Aldehydes have this Sharp cold and Hardness in their Scent, But not in this one
It's Smooth and Devoid of the Coldness of that note It just Blends in and turns almost Elusive in a Few Minutes, Angelica adds a Bit of Herbal Freshness into J.G, As the drydown
Begins J.G Turns more Flowery due to the Presence of Airy Peony with it's sweetness,

As J.G Finishes Patchouli adds an Earthy primalistic uninhibited Touch, amber brings a bit of warmth Patches of Musk Gives An Animalistic side of J.G,
Ceder Finishes with Dry Woods.

This is such a unique scent! Crushed parma violets and incense, with earthy iris supported by patchouli and blushed with a hint of feminine rose. It just smells so interesting, your nose doesn't quite know what to catch on. As it rises off your skin it is very pleasant, and it does feel gothic and mysterious, like church incense. It's a little less dry than most incense scents, surrounded as it is by other notes, and makes me think of lilac smoke. It's not quite a dark scent, it's more otherworldly I feel, too ephemeral in a way to be penned down into a 'dark' or 'light' category. I can't imagine wearing this during the daytime, but I think the right person could pull this off as a signature scent with aplomb. A modern vintage fragrance. Very very well done.

Iris, violet, incense, aldehydes...?
Where the hell are they?

On me this one smells like mix of everything and nothing.
Just like the aroma that comes out of a perfumery you're passing by.
The smell of many perfumes mixed together.
Cacophony.

I'll pass.
My bottle would go to someone who would appreciate it more that I do.

The last thing this scent is is dark and incensy. It reminds me of Moschino's "Couture". Nothing special, a huge disapointment.

I expected a dark, incensy scent but instead it smells like L'instant magique. I do like it though.

Yes, I agree it's like Habanita. Long lasting and quite unusual. I detect boozy cherries although it's not in the notes. It's a powerhouse with good sillage, but I'm not in love with it.

This was a blind buy, I bought it back when it first came out only because I was excited that the great John Galliano finally made his own fragrance. (Although I hated the bottle, so tacky looking)

I sprayed it and thought it was way too overpowering and powdery.

I didn't know what to do, so I just ended up using it every day for school. Little did I know that it would end up turning heads wherever I went.

It's definitely strong and musky, a very daring smell? I'm not sure how to put the words together. But it's a fragrance to pull eyes, (or should I say noses), right to your direction.

Reminded me of Rubies and D. E.Talor with Nocturnes de Caron mixed together. I think Galliano was inspired by R&D Taylor prior creating this perfume. The dry down of both is similar - a prominent cherry note, but Galliano is more dark and misterious.

Wa-s! Witch's brew, I too once this association. In the heat of awesome sounds. There is also a cherry, and violet, and a nice laundry detergent sometimes hear a few hours. But such an enveloping, daisy. Excellent durability, hair all day. Very magical!

Just to be on the safe I only blind bought the body lotion and as much as I wished to like this it just did not happen.
This has so much incense in it that my skin develops a burnt smell which is so unactractive, the thing is I totally dig it but it doesn't like me,

I don't know why but this perfume makes me feel really sad. It smells like a lollipop that was thrown away on the ground at the end of some festival and was lying there, under the hot sun, melting in the dirt.
It is not bad. It is just too strange for me.

Bought it blind, based on the reviews, and I am sorry to say that I don't like it at all. All I get is very heavy incense, and nothing else. No flowers, no powder, nothing. Oh, and it gives me an instant headache too.

First off, this was a total blind buy for me. I had posted in the forums what everyone thought about this frag and I really appreciated everybody's input, which gave me the go ahead to blindly purchase it. I really like it and upon first application, at least on my skin, it's almost pure incense which lasts for quite a while. I get some fruity nuances as it dries to a slightly powdery/woodsy finish. It's an enchanting fragrance, perhaps reminiscent of something like "Alice in Wonderland" only with a darker twist. I can see how some people say it's "Goth" and it is, to a certain extent. This scent is a little hard for me describe as I have nothing that smells like it. All I can say is that it's different, but in a good way. Special thanks to everyone who contributed their opinions about this frag in my post. I love it! :)

First i smell a spicy carnation ,i know it has not have that note(must be the incence and angelica)with dry rose petals. Remind me a room where is somebody smoke and cover it up with a carnation cologne. Also this room has a vase of old dry rose, Purple velvet curtains and antique furnitures and some fruites in the plate. While i drink a vanilla tea or a sweet red wine. Second image visiting an old cemetery in fall where is carnations dry roses and incences burning or somebody burns some leaves faraway. This is to me a spiritual scent. When i have a mood for it i do love it! Like feeling an good old movie and watch it time to time.

Vaguely reminds me of Dior hypnotic poison. I got such a good deal on this that the fact that it smells great only increases my pleasure in wearing it. The strongish aldehydes lead to such a lovely sweet/honey/vanillish. I'll be killing this one this winter!

This reminds me of Caron's Narcisse Noir and Moschino's Couture! - contrast wise, it's a little more on the fresh and spritzy side. It has all of the elements that the ladies of darkness desire. I imagine myself in a quiet, dense forest at night time. The heady woodiness of damp trees enveloping me, amber oozing from their pores, then I take flight and run into an ancient church full of smoky incense. It gets my gothic olfactory senses working overtime!

It's very unusual and I'm amazed that there isn't any citrus listed on the ingredients. The bottle is certainly gorgeous! It's a lovely little ornament in it's own right. I don't detect many flowers in the bunch listed, but then again, I don't think I've worn it enough and really analysed it. You don't see the Galliano brand much in Australia. If you do see this one around - GRAB IT as it is quite unique. I recommend this for evenings, in fact any time at all. You only live once. Don't save your best fragrances for a rainy day.

First off, the bottle is really pretty. :)

Okay, the scent. Not sweet. Slightly incensey/smokey.

I am getting the mentholated patchouli mostly. Not in a bad way really...it's just that the "mint" of it hit me first. I also smell the violet. This is my first "violet" centric fragrance.

overall, not bad. It's "different". Is it "DARK GOTHIC"? Meh. Maybe more sullen/sultry goth.

This is not a fruity, so I'm not sure where others smell "plum"...the angelica brings whatever peppery, rich, herbal, earthy qualities this has. And it does have them, but they don't necessarily ground this scent. They lift it. Hard to describe. Than again, perhaps that is the aldehydes doing the lifting!

Not boozy to my nose. But yes, it is unique. The "floral" aspect is lost on me. But I am new to violet, as I stated. So, yeah, not a sweet floral.

Drydown: Ahhh, yes, hear comes the smokey woody. This is lovely. The patchouli minty is leaving. Thank goodness. NOT that I don't like it, I just don't want to smell like toothpaste. And here too, the amber, slightly sweet, starts to also come through. Not VERY sweet... just a "hint" of it. I must really deeply inhale my wrist here to get the amber.

I would say to sample this first. But I would not say this is in any way "offensive". And I'm not sure how often I'll reach for this. Am I glad I have it in my collection? Yes. Would I buy another bottle? At this point, no. But I've been known to fall in love over time. This has potential to be a layering scent for me. I'd add something sweet, since I do love my sweets.

Blind bought this at a boutique pharmacy, last box left, on sale, after seeing it there & studying the reviews.
At first I just wanted it to add to my fragrance
library, thinking that I might some day wear it with gusto. It is a little on the strong overwhelming side.
Few months on & now I'm dipping my toes in with a little spray here & there from time to time....& I now keep coming back to it seeing it is the beginning of Spring here in Australia.
I feel I have died & gone to Goth Adelhydic HEAVEN!!!!!
I have never experienced a scent quite like this before.
Who cares about the politics of it's creator.....the blend is genius & gives joy to my world.
& is not that what beautiful scents should be all about?

the incredible!!! such a magic mixture of cedar, iris, amber, peony, incense... which made of it a smoky and powdery creation that will cover both your mind and body... the battle is a piece of art itself!

I swear I see a young Lauren Bacall everytime I inhale this scent. This is such a gorgeous and enchanting fragrance. Violets, iris, lavender and incense are the stars in this composition. The result is a powdery, smoky and chilling composition that will take whisk you off to a daring place. This is dynamic! Imagine Hollywood today but with old Hollywood glamour and pomp. Red carpets, dramatic eyes, coiffed hair and excessive jewels. John Galliano is all of that! It's sultriness, beauty and sophistication all wrapped up into one. This s such an intriguing fragrance...think gothic glamour. I say gothic because of the darkness and mystery that this fragrance exudes. This is for a woman and not a little girl. She is confident, sexy and a bit eccentric. Stunning!

I wanted to buy this the second it was launched, but I was scared that it might be too intense for me-I went and smelled it all the time in the store and finally decided to buy it. Now I have my second bottle and I am completely in love.
The bottle is goth and dark, mixed with intelligent kitsch and irony. I don't think it is cheap or lame looking, I love to see it on my dresser and come on, gold and purple together are bea-uti-ful!
I adore it's powdery, musky and violet feel and it lasts on my skin all day long which is great because the bottle has no cap and I wouldn't want to carry this around with me. Be careful not to overapply it though-when I spray too much, I get a slight headache, it works fine with only 1-2 applies as it is not a very light scent.
It is a perfume that is not for everyone-it demands a certain style and attitude. I consider myself very lucky, because it is amazing on my skin, yet it smelled completely different and sort of funny on my friend. It is not a very popular or common scent, so it is really easy to stand out of the crowd wearing this.
Churches and dead grandmothers? No, for me it is extremely feminine, yes, dark and mysterious, but at the same time gentle and of course very unique, everytime I apply it, I think of the 1920-s, cabarets, jazz, Paris and cigarettes-very Galliano indeed. I adore this and hope that it won't be discontinued as long as I shall live:D

Violet, incense and Galliano, what more else could I ask for? I love his work and how he turned Dior around, too bad they didn't look after him. Can't wait for him to come back with guns blazing. This is goth and beautiful. I love it.

John Galliano, is there hope that the world might love you again? I guess you could go visit Mel Gibson. To me his rant was more the sign of a deranged mind than anything else. (I don't think the true neo-Nazis and other antisemitic haters are quite so openly vocal in a public place). I hope he gets clean and sober and pulls it together.

Anyway, I wore his namesake last week for the first time. It is a beauty and unique. Personally, I adore the bottle. But I love shiny, gaudy and borderline tacky things. To me it smells of really high quality furniture wax, the creamy opaque kind with bees wax. Not Pledge. I had been puzzling over the notes and as I was driving home, I thought "Styrax!" As if in a eureka moment. Now, the really odd thing about that is that I don't have a clue how styrax smells as an individual note and I'm not very familiar with it. I know it isn't listed, but I bet it is in there. I read that it smells of smoky incense and leather. Ok enough for me. I got a little playdoh quality from the scent too, but it wasn't much and it was pleasant.

Trying to find the right amount to apply is tricky. I went lighter than I will next time, but I still got scent of it all day long. Beautiful, really.

طبعیت عشق را در فرای این عطر می توان جستخو کرد.اگر رایحه nuرا چگونه برای من است

This is definitely different than anything else in my perfume collection. Opening notes are sweet and plummy, and can smell the apple in the top notes as well. That quickly disappears and I get a lot of incense mixed with the iris and just a bit of rose. It's a very smoky/sharp floral smell. When it dries down on me, it turns very less smoky and more powdery. It's definitely a dark and seductive scent, most appropriate for wearing for a night out. Not really my cup of tea, but the bottle is really beautiful and it would work well on the right person. I might just layer it with something a little more lighter and floral, to tone down the smokiness. Very good sillage and lasts a long time too.

Gothic, weird and quirky. Plummy and sensual and somewhat clean and starchy at the same time. Definitely smoky. Violet, indeed. The supreme widow.

So I got this as a sample and I love it! Am I the only one who thinks this has some kind of a spicy, oud-like, woody smell to it? Or is that an incense smell? Either way, I think it has a rather invigorating smell to it...ahhhh...so refreshing! LOVE IT! The longevity is great also.

absolutely love this aroma,reminds me an aroma in old churches,aroma of the candes,and old wooden benches.

smoky, musky, powdery, dark floral scent on me. mysterious, "gothic", and carries a depth about it. i am so happy with my 5ml bottle. couldnt afford the bigger one yet. this smells like a frangrance made for evenings and colder months. Happy Hunting! I LOVE!

sillage: 9/10
longevity: 8/10
scent: 9/10

love at first smell. awsome fragrance!

Mix one part LouLou and one part Hypnotic Poison and you get John Galliano.

Lou Lou is dated. This isn't, it's really sexy and appealing.

I know, you can't imagine anything smelling like LouLou appealing these days, but it is, beleive me :)

This is beyond sexy, really. A very distinctive smell, dark and mysterious. I struggled with it (look at my first review), but I surrendered. I LOVE IT. On my skin, this is brilliant. A hybrid of very dark, male and smokey and sweet, pretty and female.
This style is, what modern perfumery needs: guts, to do it differently to what the marketing freaks are praying. Thank you! I definitively stock up (I guess, it's dicontinued, isn't it?)

I have a deal: Instead of bashing this masterpiece for whatever, send me your bottles! Don't get mad about the smell, the bottle or the designer, send it to me, you'll feel better instantly (I do, too.).

absolutely not for everyone! it's so marginal, irritating, antipathic but still attractive, irresistable and though not truly sexy but very erotic. it reminds a fragile and domestic but curious girl's transformation into a wild witch following these: emotional, romantic (not a pinky romantism), dreamy, melancholic, mystical, magical, witchy, a bit masculine, powerful, past revealing, overwhelming, extraordinary and even out of order... weird, mesmerizing, lonely and spiritual queen. surely old fashioned(very very old, maybe gothic or baroque is suitable) with a scent of an abandoned powdery court. cold, earthy and moldy. both aristocrat and anarchist at the very same moment!

people that know about astrology will feel the scents of saturn & pluto.

To my nose -'at first smell' no similarity between these two. Galliano is sharp incensy smell, outstanding and very special, rather sour fresh and dry than sweet ....while Insolence is far more deep powdery sweet ... and far more pleasing to lots of people, which is not the case for Galliano. That's what my nose tells me. Nevertheless, I would say that they have something in common ... if you ignore the sweet and sour note, you can find a common point in the base of Incense .. I think. You'll probably love Galliano!
If you're asking me ...I love them both, a lot!!

This is superb. I'm struggeling while it's development x times, but get drawn to it heavily the next moment. Stunning drydown. Incense with big I.

Wow.

John Galliano has balls.

In 2008-wow! its 4 years old already-this modern classic debuted. It defies all of the new rules of modern industy trends. Galliano forges ahead creating his own standard. Dior is a relic from the 1950s. "Vive le differance!"

I bought a mini sample in 2009 and ended up with a large bottle. Its that good! The bottle is beautiful, paying tribute to those stunning dresses Mr G creates. Needelss to say, it looks great on the vanity.

The compostition is a complex "post-powerhouse" show stopper. I opens with light aldehydes and wonderful angelica that leads immediately into the violet, rose, peony, iris and lavender floral heart. Its the most "purple" composition I can think of. Its more "witchy" than gothic. The base is very unisex with more incense than I ever expected. The patcholi and cedar hold up really well for hours. I swear there is a little oakmoss in there.

I imagine it being discovered in an attic filled with Victorian treasures and being offered to the modern world. Its worth every sniff and on the right person, male or female, casts its spell...

EXCELLENT,SPECIAL POWERFUL, UNIQUE GOTIC PERFUME. Very strong, specific and interesting complex fragance. I swear I can smell some ruspberries in it's sharp incense opening. Later on it becomes softer but still very loud, bit sour and mistrious at the same time. Definitelly winter-time scent.
Even if I don't wear it a lot, I really looove it soooooo much.
Different from the majority of usual perfumes , different from what most of people like.It's so special and unique, that in the end someone can find it even hard to wear.
I put it when I feel different from the masses of people.
Unbeliveble lasting power!

mysterious, magnificent and gothic. It starts of with smoky incense, burst of juicy flowers and spice. After 1 hour it becomes powdery and the scent also reminds me of the old fashioned European shaving foam. I sense slight masculine notes, softened especially at the drydown. The perfume itself has exquisite dark vintage appeal.
I most definitely agree that this is a masterpiece. Quite different and unique. About 5-6 hours longevity.
I hope there's more to come from Galiano in the perfume and fashion industry. The man is a genius.

this, for me; is a dark long-lasting fragrance. it kind of reminds me of chloe narcisse, but not cloying like narcisse. on me, its sweet and syrupy and then turns a slight bit powdery. i love the aldehydes, the bit of bergamot and especially the incense. i put this on at 8 a.m. and almost 8 hrs later i can still smell it faintly. this is a winner for me. i would definitley wear this for a night out.
while i have only a mini bottle of this ( thank you rkrchk :-), i do love the bottle design.

how much i yuse so much i love more and more!!!

This perfume intrigues me in every possible way! I don't have the age for wearing such a powerful perfume and even though I found the scent overwhelming, something kept me smelling my wrist again and again until realizing that I really loved it. It is definitely not what I would wear on a daily basis, but I'll be sure to buy this one day.
oh and...the bottle is divine! Galliano is truly an icon.

so much long lasting power upp to 8-9 hours wouw never had something like this incredible!!love love love

It's reminiscent and I can't remember the where it reminds and it keeps ringing a bell.
This mystic Gothic bottle speaks for itself. I thought it must be floral overdose for the color, till I saw the ad picture and notes here and I decided to give it a try. It's marvelous, erotic and mesmerizing. I don't wonder if women don't like it as it deserves but fairly as a man feel being trapped. This smoky incense floral theme cheers me up. The dry down is out of my ability in writing.

Have you ever watched Vincent by Tim Burton, the short animation movie? This bottle reminds me that story.

Yes a biiiiig huge yes its very very beuthiful smell not strong not sweet but everithing she has, more the plumig violet dominate on my skin ,i am enchanted by this big amazing fragrance .I was very scared by the aldehid but far its no aldehid in this just the pouder ligt pouder OMG its huge!!

Since this fragrance came out I've been waiting to try it because John Galliano (Despite his comments earlier this year) is one of my favorite designers. So naturally, I had really high expectations for this one.

The bottle is quite beautiful but partially plastic which bothers me, the G presses down so it saves from losing the cap on this beautiful piece of artwork. The outside carton is book like and time was definitely put into the creation of the whole outside packaging.

The fragrance at first like some other members have stated, smells sour and pretty much like toilet cleaner which saddened me so much! After reading reviews to wait for the dry down I did, and it's an interesting fragrance on me. I definitely notice the incense but it doesn't remind me of a church, it actually reminds me of the advert. It smells to me almost like a gothic deep dark boudoir with velvet curtains and dried flower in a vintage vase, very complex and very mysterious but not necessarily the "sexy" that usually comes with those adjectives.

I really like this one, definitely a statement fragrance and not one I'd actually wear out because I can imagine many people (Including my lover) hating it. This is probably one of those fragrances I'll wear at home by myself, for myself.

wow for the bottle, thumbs up for the designer ;)

The Bottle: Amazing.
Top Notes: Pure toilet cleaner, awfull, acid and totally yuck.
Middle Notes: Uhm this is getting somewhat better!.
Base Notes: Very very very good, the connection of the peony, rose and insence is perfect, the drydown is absolutly gorgeaus.
Resume: The wait is totally worthed!!!

8/10

I had a sample and I hated it. It was pure acid on me. No, thank you.

Have the EDP since it was launched. Enjoyed all the wows! described and devotedly worn it for... Quite a long time. Became bored and put it aside for.... At least a year. Never had an intention to swap or somehow dispose of it, just too beautiful to let it go. Now took it out of the drawer again and, what can I say? The best modern understanding of aldehydes (Jacques Polge does not count). Indeed, we the aldehyde lovers have longed for a modern aldehyde perfume so long. All alhdehyde perfumes by Jacques Polge are too Chaneleish (do not get me wrong, I can die for and kill for Beige or Number 5 Eau Premiere) and quite easily recognisable. This one stands quite apart, proven by 3 years on the market and still a winner. No insence, nothing gothic about it but quite office-appropriate for a mature wearer, if used sparingly. Most enjoyable from October to March. Beware of the cap, it gets broken off quite easily, so handle this beauty with utmost care.

John Galliano EDP starts off as a dangerously intense vintage scent, reminding me personally of church incense(!), grandma's stuffed up closet and sour perfume oil that has stayed in the family for tooooo long. I was afraid it would remain that way, but to my surprise, the scent evolved into something totally unexpected! Just give it 10 minutes until the incense and patchouli mellow down and you will be awarded by the unexpected beauty of creamy flowers that reveal themselves :) Despite the floweriness though, it is still oriental, spicy and musky at the same time. Everyone's happy!

Long-lasting (up to 7 hours on my skin, which is a record!), unique, transitional (can be worn every season as a night perfume), dark, mystical, avant-garde, sultry and sensuous.. If you want all that in a perfume, then J.Galliano is all you need!

Hi.

This is such a sexy smell.It is perfectly mirroring the style of the famous designer JOHN GALLIANO.the perfume smells like a deep shade of red and reminds me of the movie eyes wide shut where people are wearing masks in plush setting doing strange things. Captivating,Rich,Incensy,Sensual,Harmonious,Glorious and Masterpiece.

It opens with a sheer sophistication that personifies it is creator,JOHN GALLIANO.the floral heart are a powerful blend of peony,rose,violet and iris. patchouli,amber,musk and especially incense brings up the base with an air of warmth and sensuality to appeal to all sexes as i would notice this on a woman in an instant based on it is alluring aroma.

JOHN GALLIANO is all you need to make a statement with this knockout scent.if you are going out for drinks or a night of partying in Autumn/Winter,this is a wonderful perfume to wear.The bottle is gorgeous and fantastic.you always receive many compliments from men who are looking for something special for their wives and the women who love the perfume.JOHN GALLIANO you are MAGICAL.

Sillage?Nice.

Longevity?Noticeable on my skin.

7.5/10

Stunning bottle!!! But nothing special it kinda smell like something my grandmother would wear so i gave to her and she love it!!!

really unique.dusty roses,incense and iris.brulesque bottle and fume.i think dita vok teese and actresses from moulin rouge smell like this.maybe humprey bogarts movies too :)).interesting and longlasting,must buy.

I really believe this is a masterpiece perfume. Its a real sign of John Gallianos taste and reflection of his style as a designer.
Its a wonderfully heady mix of scents that do dry down to a very sensual powdery scent with a lot of kick. My husband adores the scent on me and I do too. I feel this is a scent like the woman who would wear it. Different, warm and sensual but not overpowering. It has enough class to be different and still makes you feel very much a woman. Great scent on my third bottle now. Would receommend to all.

I don't get the "dark" part of this that people are talking about, but I do absolutely get the mystery. The scent is very "big", a real loudmouth but not irritating in any way. It's soft as silk and so heavy, powdery and romantic it makes you close your eyes and pretend you're somewhere else. It feels old fashioned (makes me think of the 1920's) but not outdated at all, I'd rather say the opposite. Not for shy people in any way.

If I would work as a dancer at a smokey burlesque night club I would wear this all the time. Together with my heavy glittery make up and glamorous retro underwear of course. Aaaah, this scent messes with my mind!

And oh, to be a bit more literal.. I get lots of rose and violets, so powdered down it tickles my nose a bit. In a good way! The deep incense note stays on the skin even when all of the other notes are long gone. Lovely scent.

oh my my my , This is realy somthing starts off fresh and crisp whit the aldehyds ,angelica and Bergamot. realy nice start:) And in comes the whole coure of flowers marching in:)so very soft , gental , wakes the desire for eaven more .
This makes me feel like a desired woman , Beautiful and grown up. the rose , Peonies , violets and iris i can detect .The lavender i cant see that i find . But that doesnt matter , this is so beautifuly done . Like a boucket especialy made for me, whit all the flowers i could desire. sweet , a little spicy , and most off all , the violet and iris . mmm. i love them . makes me fell like wearing velvet , just like insolence , not in smell , but it awakes the same feeling in me :)
The drydown is soft and gental. and does not kick in befor a long time has past. a nice ending to a beautiful fairytale . this i realy like . Grown up tempres whit an attitude for shure , ME... hm well well , We all do have different sides to show . i guess i also have it in me :)

Recomend it to every Violet fanatic:)
It does reminde me alittle bit of My Queen . but just a little . this is more balanced and nicer IMO.
lasts long to

Captivating, dark, antique fragrance. I really like the way someone described this as a hermetically sealed boudoir from the 1890's. My associations were of an antique taffeta (yes, that particular fabric) dress, locked away for years, that actress Sarah Bernhardt had worn. Its very "Theatre", sort of like Galliano's designs! Musty, rosey, noirish. It would be great for a costume party, or Halloween, or a night at the theatre.

I remember when I test-sprayed it I already thought "baaaah". Then unfortunately it lasted so long on my skin that during that day I often wondered "Who is wearing this bad scent? Oh it's me :(". Sometimes you have to survive the day if you test-spray a bad scent :)

I like this perfume...it's interesting,feminine...it's such a french smell, like Marie-Antoanette, a regal smell...whorth all money...in my country it's about 70 euros, a 90 ml perfume. :)

Love...Love...Love! Worth every penny.I can't top all the other positive reviews. Very interesting and very soft... sexy.

John Galliano distinctly reminds me of the 1970s, with its dark undertones of warm patchouli and a detectable incense tone, complete with a pastiche of the classic "Pierrot" clown watercolour on the packaging, ubiquitous poster in many dreamy 70s girls' bedrooms.

Not so strange then, that instead of a gothic princess it strongly suggests to me the smell of polished church floors surrounded by the burning of sacred candles, the aroma of old fur coats being dusted and shown off at sunday Mass in a provincial town's cavernous Modernist church, the dark interiors of an aunt's sitting room where you mustn't enter without reverence and careful not to break the china.

Definitely a dark perfume that doesn't leave much space to the rounded air of aldehydes, it instead saunters like a black cat and surrounds whatever is left of the aldehydes with a barrage of dark notes. Compared with other Christine Nagel perfumes like Miss Dior Cherie, Galliano has a similar marriage of very ripe, just about edible citrus fruits and deep flowers. Lasting for many hours, Galliano doesn't falter and continues its dark church-like spell until well into the next day. A sophisticated perfume for the night, but definitely not for a romantic date, unless of course you want your date to picture you as a nun...

Unique and amazing....on my skin smell very interesting.

This fragrance is something very outstanding! I bought it in Switzerland when it wasn´t available in rest of Europe almost immideatly after it´s release. I simply asked a beauty consultant for something that not everyone has and not everyone will soon have. She gave me this one. I say that i feel the scent of a smoked plum or sun-dried plum and use it only during autumn period as it is a dark fragrance. Very unusual but somehow it is not so seductive as it might be or i expected. I think it works only for a daytime, not enough for a night time.
And EDT version is completly different and very common rose scent.

Never smelled it, but I would buy it for it's gorgeous bottle...I must find it and smell it, maybe I will like it too, not only the bottle

Aldehydes are usually associated with classic, more mature scents, but when blended in such a way like John Galliano has done, it takes on a whole new approach. These aldehydes are dark, gothic and sensual.

John Galliano loves anything couture, historical and theatrical. As he has stated, "my role is to seduce". I can see all of this reflected in his fragrance.

The scent opens strongly with a sharp burst of powdery aldehydes and something that resembles plum jam. Eventually the scent settles into a soft, warm floral with powdery rose, peony and violet taking centre stage.

The floral heart is what tends to carry this composition through to the drydown, where patchouli and incense provide a slightly darker, earthier component. Surprisingly the opening notes are the strongest, whereas the drydown is smooth and delicate.

The lasting power is beyond wonderful, I could still smell this on me and my clothes days on. It's a wonderful gothic fragrance that thankfully isn't too intimidating to the people around you. It's inviting and intriguing to say the least.

in the beginning the raw, bitter angelica together with the aldehydes knock you out.. it's not easy to stand. I thought, "oh my, I have to wash this stuff off from me immediately!" but in a while the fragrance opened up into a flower paradise, roses, violets and iris get into the scene,sweet, but in a sexy, smoky and opulent way. In the end, a woody ambery violet scent remains for a long time on your skin. Never thought I could love violets so much and never thought that inoffensive flowers like violets could become such intriguing. beautiful scent, something really different.

Just a word...particular word: Magnifi-scent

Unique! I was looking for a fragrance like this a long time!
I can feel the Angelika in the begining, then it fades and there come sweet cherries and incence, which overpowers the patchouli.
I love the mix of male and female fragrances in this perfume!

Ah, I am in love with this stuff!

Romantic, floral, juicy, feminine, it's heavenly. Somehow the scent of this makes me think of a rich full bodied wine, maybe a burgundy wine, something only for adults with an acquired taste.

John Galliano is not your run of the mill floral/fruity or pink pepper-everyday-safe-for-office concoction, this is complex and unique. I doubt you'll encounter everyone else wearing this perfume, which is good! And with it's strong sillage people will notice it on YOU. Long lasting, too.

I'm not a big fan of patchouli, but in this it doesn't smell dirty/earthy to me. I'm even less of a fan of aldehydes, but I really don't notice them and/or they're not bothering me here. (Note to self: perhaps I need to get better acquainted with aldehydes, I'm still fairly new at this....)

I love the bottle design, but embellishments on top are plastic? I haven't acquired a bottle yet, just several sample sized vials. But I'm surprised it's plastic, why not glass?

Barroque,exotic,sexy and unique !I loved this fragrance

This was pretty heady when first sprayed.

80's powder, cloying floral, and aldehydes. Then it's powder and predominantly violet which transforms into an aldehyde deep incense base.

The way they use the aldehyde is unique and an interesting concept but I don't think they quite pull it off. It seems like a red dress at a white party.

It's got that big 80's feel to it and with the flat notes, it just doesn't work for me. I usually like to try scents 3 times before forming an opinion but it put me off enough that I don't even want to try it a second time.

This is my new love. Just got it today.
Its a powdery floral that reminds me of the roaring twenties. A boudoir scent. On my skin it turns into a lovely woodsy violetty rose. Its strong so I advise dont use to much of this juice.

Georgeous and very special..different and unique..it is very overpowering at first giving a headache (rose, violet and patchouli are dominant), but softens in half an hour and changes into a diversely different scent, musky smokey woodsy incense..it is a bipolar scent, very loud at first then a melancholic phase follows....sooo long lasting, a very special scent for certain occasions, a mature lady perfume..bottle is an other plus I will buy this scent ASAP and it will look great on my dressing table

Soft powdery violet, just a hint of iris and the incense. It opens in that excact order, violet is detectable almost all the time, only with different notes in the background, and the incense is the most prominent non violet note, maybe a little bit too strong, if you don't like it. Average lasting power, however, little goes a long way, it's not a shy little fragrance, make no mistakes.

Compared with other new perfumes, JG is more complexed and intruiguing, and it also goes to show once again that the violet notes are quite fashionable lately, epecially powdery violets. That's nice, but give us some fresh, meadow violet, mkay?

reviewing this perfume again..it is a lovely smell violety an sweet.i have now worn this every day for 3 month since i bought it..no comments from anyone on how nice i smell.this perfume is extraordinary in the beginning,after 15 mins drys down to a lovely aroma,then...its gone can only smell it close to the skin,the sprayer is annoying,it goes everywhere,so no i would not buy it again now i have used it for a while

My husband didn't think it all that special, but I truly love the EDP!

my wife and I are in the process of testing a large batch of fragrances she received for her birthday,and last night on my arm this was experienced;
the first smell from the bottle was interesting but not really special kind of dusty when applied its first notes were sharp..big a weird concoction of citrus and i guess the angelica? anyway the opening lasts for only a few minutes on me growing better and warmer very quickly we never really smelled any flowers instead on me it went into a masculine incense complete with the smoke but still being multi-layered heavy and sweet, it draws you to it, wanting you to smell its complexity over and over trying to distinguish what it is your smelling, then a wood tone creeps in bringing with it a lush creamy chocolate... incredible, then it disappears , completely, the whole trip took almost exactly 3 hours so we did it again with the same experience but we enjoyed the beginning more the second time with the anticipation of the big change...it is definitely something i would wear! not my wife who is into florals mostly, she loved it on me also lol, cuz on me it smells guyish and different,strange and delicious now I'm not saying this is a guys frag but on my skin it is! with that said at the same time it smells like you would think the model in the ad smells or the room around her like a perfume from a Tim Burton movie or you would have found this gorgeous bottle on the beautiful Morticia Addams vanity... yea it is probably close to what she would have smelled like. overall i wish it would last longer before my skin devoured it! twice tested, thee hours like it was a cologne you would need a couple apps a day to maintain it and that's kind of pricey but that aside John Galliano as stated before will be a classic,a masterpiece for whoever wears it!

This perfume takes you back in time. If you close your eyes and spray this perfume, you will be drifted back into time and who knows what your mind will see. A truly beautiful perfume, that just says pure class. A MASTERPIECE.

Pure bottled pefection.
Though I hate the bottle, it was the main reason that attracted my attention to it. It is so special and well composed, no other perfumes can't stand even close. Or maybe it's just a phase for me. Inscence and patchouli blend so well with the florals and it balances perfecly being heavy yet fresh at the same time. This scent is so rich sexy and vintage, and yet others don't say you smell like someone's grandma :D

Arhhhh! Just bought a bottle of this almighty syrup. It is like drop of ancient splendor. The whole experience of John Galianno EDP takes me to a Parisienne parlour in the 1920's. Propriety and decorum have been abandonned giving way to opulence and indulgence. It is a sexual awakening and calls ancient forces.

High end couture taste will best suit this fragrance. JG EDP is not trying to please you- you have to please it!

Spectacualr bottle. Gorgeous! And the fact that it's purple is even better.

Haveing said that, I smelled this perfume yesterday and I'm kinda dissapointed. The opening notes smell really strange, like a cross between furniture polish and liquorice. Yuk! It's a perfumey, verging on fruity weird mess in the opening.

The dryer stage is more pleasant, smells very purple and violetty and a little bit like a candy sweet jolly rancher.

Then it dissapears while smelling vaguely sweet.

Either my chemistry is not getting this to it's full extent or this perfume is trying to be too many things at once.
Still...the bottle is beautiful. :)

I love this perfume-as i have been looking for an incense/patchouli fragrance for YEARS! The bottle though is quite tacky and cheapish looking, and the sprayer verrry aggravating. Cant have everything though. Atleast the perfume is awesome!

i love this perfume gentle but a lot of power.hate the bottle it nasty,so wont be diaplaying this one on my dresser.i seem to have had this smell in my head for ages since trying john paul goltier classic which i do like but after a while i just got a smell of soap powder,where as this perfume is so lovely,on me i get no smell of a church,just a velvety aroma of soft flowers an powdery undertones.i will be wearing this from now on,i have found my smell

This perfume is a masterpiece. It is so unique and blended so well. The top notes begin with a fresh citrus, then the violet, rose and lavender intermingle. The base notes are filled with the most beautiful smell of incense. When I wear this perfume, I feel unique and special. Love it, John Galliano art is so very well expressed in this perfume.

lovely bottle and wonderful fragrance. my wife knew she will love and buy one after she saw the ad:) got a 90ml and loves it.
a fragrance for artistic, misterious, free soul woman, wild like a november weather- just wonderful!

a very sophisticated and elegant sent.plus,if you're wearing it and think of the bottle you feel like a rih super top model

I tried today, although its on the market for ages here.The bottle is like a hollywood extravaganca-not a classy one at all though,,,maybe the Las Vegas style i would say.
Then the sharp, offencive perfume on my skin, changing on me only to get worst, leaving me with a sour-bitter smell i could not get rid of, and something like a metallic taste in the mouth,,,,not my cup of tea at allll......

I love this charming and bewitching fragrance, but when I first started to use it, I hade to give it several tries as it came out different on my skin different days. But that also intrigued me more and even intensified my crush. It's like this scent is double layered but unsure about which layer to reveal.

One layer is beautifully sweet and floral. The other one has some similarities with Pradas Infusion d'Iris (a former crush) with it's notes of citrus, iris, cedar and incense but Galliano is slightly darker.

As I really love the flowery spirit of this fragrance I now also have bought the lotion. I needed some kind of anchor to ensure more of that.

Strangely, what comes out first of all from my bottle is a big sweet purple violet, which disappears within some minutes. But how I enjoy that opening. After that green and citrusy notes plays around for a while.

The major bloom bursts out later, like a big bouquet of roses, violets, irises and small twigs of lavender, which gives this blend a nostalgic touch. At the same time it has a special kind of modern transparency which is why I love this fragrance so much. Slowly some basenotes are added and on my skin the incense, cedar and patchouli are the most dominant ones. I specially enjoy the odd combination of lavender and patchouli. Well, I enjoy most of this fragrance.

The commercials around this frag may suggest some kind of seducing or sexy fragrance a la boudoir style. Well, it is not. It's more like an arty and playful fragrance with an aura of integrity and self confidence. A flirt and a giggle, but nothing serious. I enjoy it a lot as it actually makes me feel playful and happy.

The box is so adorable, but I find the "gothic" bottle a bit unfitting. I would have preferred something that reminded me more of the early 1900's, yet with a modern twist.

I loved the bottle. I can't say the same for the fragnance. Actually my heart loved, my mind hated it.

At first it smelled like vodka on me. Very sharp. Then it turned into a sharp bitter scent that was exactly smelled like a spoiled perfume but had a kind of attraction that I wanted to smell my wrist once a minute although I find the smell disgusting. It seems weird when telling I know. :)

After 1-2 hours it turned into a very strong soapy smell and stayed there like two days. This fragnance is difficult to handle, not suitable for everyday wear. Not suitable for work.

Although it is very original there is a possibility of making other people run away from you.

The opening notes were a bit sharp on me, which I did not expect, but presume was due to the angelica. Fortunately, my chemistry obliterates most top notes, so it was only a matter of minutes before the iris and lavender began to emerge, which reminded me just how much I love those two notes in combination. Eventually the rose peeked through at about the same time the incense, cedar, and patchouli did, and by then, I had fallen completely in love. This is such a soft and feminine scent! The incense is like a veil. The woody notes are like a whisper. I really expected something heavier, but it was light and earthy-sweet on me. I just loved how the rose continued to sweeten over the course of several hours, until it climaxed in a note that resembled sugar-covered rose petals.

I found myself compelled to reapply the fragrance so I could take the journey once more.

this perfume actually reminds me of the Sunday trips to the church)) after the initial spray the frankincense is quite distinguishable; i wouldn't call it a "dark" and heavy perfume tho, it's quite sweet and not overpowering if you don't apply too much; it also lasts long! I like this one, it definitely enters my top 10 list)))

I won't ever be able to have a bottle of my own with a price tag like that! I will try it as soon as I get to a store that carries this. I sure do love reading about it though! Thankyou for all the lovely descriptions!

yes im glad i discovered it! it became my most favorite dark gothy smokey perfume ever ;-p perfect lasting power too, i wore it during a concert and after that i could still smell it! a real gem

When I first tested John Galliano, I had instantly been brought back to some old, mysterious, gothic and dim place. I can smell a lot of wood, dry wood, with some dry sweetness. It could be an unusual opening for some of us to adapt.

After several minutes, it's more powdery and nostalgic. I can smell the mixture of violet and incense, with a little bit ghostly floral hint. It is a cold fragrance to me, no matter how the powdery scent can trick me.

When I smemt it from my skin, I can detect a little bit nutty hint, which gives me some similar feelings as Dior Hypnotic Poison can offer. But of course they smell different and in a totally different way -- John Galliano speaks solitute. It is lonely but proud, it is wasted, deadly but also uttly sexy, it's close but still far-away, like a sheer, like a piece of chiffon cloth on you. It is like a Tim Burtons movie in a bottle.

It is a stunning scent which may require a lot of testing till you can really find the essence and truely be in love and appreciate every drop of it.
Also, it may be hard to wear on a regular base. It demands a certain mood and state. However, since I always discover more found memories and different sensations, I guess I can hardly ever fully unveil the beauty of it. :-) but I'm happy with that.

Just received my Galliano.....one word....Spectacular......... Soooooo John Galliano, what else can I say ;o)

I love this! The bottle first of all is stunning, simply beautiful and really stands out. I love the color scheme and shape, so pretty. I was so lucky to come across this perfume today. The fragrance on the other hand is a bit reminescent to Alien or Ange ou Demon which are two very special fragrances, aka I love this.Esp Alien is one of my all time favs, so naturally I had to like John Galliano too. Very strong, unique, dark, kinda gothic, sophisticated scent, has this minty thing in the beginning but then it dissapears after a while. Something you could def wear to the Opera or some fancy dinner party. A obvious evening scent. I so must have this.

So mixed reviews about this one :o
Luckily, my friend dragged meh through old part of city and I spotted very catchy campaign in store window.
'That's it', I though 'I'm soo going to test it when I go back!'

So, when I was turning back home, I sneaked from my friends and run directly into store which sells this masterpiece by a master who has really distinctive and unique style.
What did I expect? Well.. If it IS churchy enough it will be bought in soon future, if not, then it'll stay in store, he he

I went in, grabbed the bottle and sprayed...
What was first? Oh, that was soft creamy luxurious soap smell with dry florals. You know, like Chanel N5. I love the luxurious soapy Chanel N5 and plan to own a bottle of this wonderful classic perfume and that means that I enjoyed aldehydes in John Galliano. ^^

Even though dark incense notes with 'old wood' weren't detectable, this is very melancholic and kinda 'that tells a story' perfume.

Later when I already thought 'c'mon, where is incense?' I smelled my wrist and there it was- dark, pure incense. It comes out of shadow and performs dark ballad about eternal romance and it's melancholic, deep voice enchants, it's like pulled outta fairy tale.
I enjoyed this incense middle notes very much and fell in love with this perfume.

Morelater tender top and warm middle entangles and sing in a duet. It's nostalgic, powdery and has character. Dry-down, by the way, is kinda like JPG Classique, but less intense and has dusty powdery quality.

So, this is very kinda old fashioned scent, a find for this kind of perfume. I don't think it would appeal young girls, but it truly deserves the gothic G on the very top. Everything about it reflects and suits Galliano's spring/summer collection.

I was so very impressed by perfume even knowing of what Galliano is capable of, I highly recommend this one if you like aldehydes or are in desperate search for incense perfume you could buy in your local place.

The bottle and packaging catched my eye in a store,and instantly wanted to give it a try. all I can say it is very much identical to D&G Dolce Gabbana edp (with red cap), but a bit softer and airy, at least on my skin. I used to wear DG years ago, but I found it too heavy and cloying for my taste. John Galliano is just right, very feminine, clean and lovely long lasting dry down. I can imagine to wear it throuhout the year. Definitely a keeper for me!

MMM.... Quite strange..
At the first I could really smell Plum..
when it dries down, it turns to a nice Powdery scent which is bit masculine..
There's something which attracts me to sniff it always... But Im not in love with that....
Very Very mysterious perfume..
Can be used as a cold night wear...

I love only two perfumes and this is one of them...smelled it for the first time a couple a days ago. it lasts really long, I could smell it on my wrists(that's where I test perfumes in shops) even after bath!
Another superb perfume is flora by gucci.
It smells like flowers, old powder, old wood and maybe somewhat like musk. Very dreamlike, romantic and somehow at the same time seductive. Beautiful. Full of nostalgia and very femenin.

I tried this on an hour ago and I must say that I am disappointed. I am a fan of intriguing bottles and of oriental perfumes, so it is not that the perfume was heavy that put me off. The top notes smell like pure incence. You cannot discern a particular note other than realising from the very first seconds that this is an "older ladies" perfume. Even an hour or more into the perfume, I can smell nothing different; only the cloyingness has disappeared somewhat and makes this less offensive to my nose. The perfume smells like you are in the church indeed, with all the incence I can make out of it. And I do not think there is anything sexy, animalistic, even remotely flowery about church. Even if it dries down to loveable notes, I would not purchase it just for the dry down. Because it would be like having a trip and sleeping all the way through it. And I could not possibly put up with all this cloying incence for the sake of even a beautiful dry down.

My last review was done after a single test. True, JG did not manage to seduce me back then.

My attitude changed now, but still this fragrance shows how body chemistry can influence a fragrance, so that it smells completely differet on different people.

My friend got on her a fresh bouquet of beautiful flowers. On my skin John Galliano still turns out like a mass in an old, wooden church. My friends who have never been to a Catholic church during the mass (still, not all churches smell like this, I mean mostly the old ones) could not identify it as well though. While my perception of the fragrance has not changed, I really got to like this woody incence with a touch of aldehydes.

And the bottle is simple gorgeous! I think it is a little masterpiece.

Does anyone know when this scent is going to be available at US big retailers? I can't believe that Neiman Marcus, Norsdtrom and Saks don't carry it.

That is rare that one may come across with a fragrance like this. It’s a very interesting blend. I spayed it on a paper for test in a shop and I really smelled aldehydes, bergamot and flowers with incense notes. And no amber, maybe only a little. Since I expected aldehydes like in the perfumes of 70s it was quite hard for me to find them in this particular perfume.

But then I sprayed it on my skin… and the magic began… A true alchemy – it changed on me with every minute getting even better, and every minute was spellbound. It started with angelica, citrus and flowers – the smell was very much the same as it showed up on the tester paper.
Being fascinated by the top notes, I decided to move out of the shop – I had some business to finish and actually no plans of buying any perfume that day. But after about 20 minutes walking in the street I started to feel – strangely enough – a plum… I don’t know how it happened, there is no such a component in this fragrance, but it was definitely a plum! Such a sweet and sugary one, surrounded by powdery notes with flowers and maybe incense in there. Woodsy and amber-musky notes also started to show up slightly. But a plum prevailed above others.
Later, in an hour approximately, I came home. I asked my mother how did I smell and she answered “good… yes, really good” and smiled. I asked her what it was like, but she said it was not a perfume but me who smelled good. But after a little “interrogation” she confessed that it was some cozy, warm, sweet and even animalistic scent. By that time the “plum scent” has already settled and the gorgeous amber started to reign. Animalistic ingredients always worked good with me, so they do this time as well. It appeared to be very gourmand on me.
And now this perfume is going to be mine soon. Also the bottle – purple is my second best colour (after black).

Well, as a conclusion, I would say that John Galliano is just a magic potion that would turn your skin chemistry into a true alchemy! Do you remember what is said about Melange in “the Dune” by Frank Herbert? Its taste was different for everybody and it changed every time they tried it. So do this perfume – everybody will get completely different effect and it will change differently in time. Give it a try – If you like it, you won’t forget it.
Someone said that it’s deign and promo campaign aimed on the girls who are into gothic and emo style. I don’t think so (despite all that is said about the “gothic letter G”). It is something that has a style of 20s with a modern core. It’s not like someone wonted to create a copy of Shalimar, for instance, but something contemporary in vintage style. A true glam fragrance, bottle and promo. Not a vulgar something at all.

I've only tested this while shopping. The topnotes are out of this world - really unique and beautiful. I really have no idea how to describe them I would just say smell for yourself! Unfortunately they are gone very very quickly and what is left is a smell which to me is very one-notish and very reminiscent of Guerlain's Insolence (which people seem to describe as a violet-like scent, although for me, and I adore the smell of violets, this flower only really works on its own). This stays pretty much the same for all of the wearing.
So for me this perfume is only special to start with - if only the topnote smell could be the heart/base of the scent (I know that doesn't scientifically make sense!).
I still want this fragrance just for the bottle though! Gorgeous!

Finally i also got to try it and wore it today.Thx to lovely migotka that send me a decant.It is very special,i have ever smelled a scent like this.I was afraid that it is very floral smell but its ok.Its more smokey dark floral and on me i can really smell the incense.I like it more after a while because it is a bit sharp and minty at the start.But develops to a softer incense/flower smell.Very sensual too and truely on of a kind,very Galliano.But i dont know if i would buy this sometime,its still very new to me but it is surely a winner and maybe it will grow more on me with time.

Today I was fortunate to try Galliano and remained enraptured by this unique flavor! Beginning is slightly sharp, but later opens, and the flavor is mild and warm, subtle and intimate! I fell in love!

Today I've tried a sample.Really very seductive, mysterious and interesting scent.
I hope I will get a bottle soon.

Masterpiece indeed! that bottle! that smell! an unforgettable, dark, seductive, sexy smoky bombshell. That's what I think about when I wear this perfume. Opening notes are heavy, smoky and a bit sweet. The aldehydes are a bit strong but it quickly settles and moves on to some beautiful flower notes. The lavender tranquilizes this scent a bit. Moves it into a softer, relaxing and wearable scent. Still maintains that smoky resin note but much cozier and warmer now. The bottle is very artistic, I don't find it cheap looking whatsoever. Galliano is a great addition to any perfume collection.

The perfume is a masterpiece, like John Galliano himself. His bottle suits his style - the shades of purple, the twisted glass, the ribbon, the gold rose - it's really avant-garde and mysterious. Packaging and advertising are excellent too. The fragrance is dark and heavy - some might call it overpowering, but I enjoy it being so.

When sprayed on paper, I found it complex and intriguing. The colour purple is really perfect. I decided within the first 10 seconds or so that I had to have it. Mostly, it smelt like blackberry, licquerice, musk and incense, but was also quite powdery, and had a barely-there sweetness.

But when applied to my skin it was different, though not in a bad way. The lady behind the counter took a sniff of my arm, and said she liked it even better. Apparently it smelled floral on her, but on me it was very smokey and spicy. I thought that it lost sweetness and the licquerice was enhanced.

Overall, this is a wonderful, unique fragrance, and I think it's really going to become a classic. But it's obviously important to test it with your skin chemistry.

Sexy ,sexy,sexy!!!It drives men wild.I actually cant describe it,but i know that i love it!This is my new favourite and i am sure it will be fore ver.It is very interesting perfume.I smell lots of iris and insence and something like chocolate.Absolutely divine!
Great lasting power

First smell I felt while visiting Paris last week for the first time. I love it. Very classy I can sense roses, peony, musk and iris pretty clearly. Expensive but worth every dime. Saddly, the bottle is very cheap looking. The fragrance itself is very reccomended. Love at first sniff!!! It is a perfume that is constantly developping on skin, very clean and sensual in the same time. If you like roses you will love THIS Galliano.

interesting.
loved it instantly.
reminds me of the smell of a fabric warehouse and singed tulle.
gothic yet romantic,
just like the bottle.

This scent is intruguing, because itś unique, and the mixture of notes creates a quizzical scent, really. The aldehydes are strong, but not extreme, they do thier job..they lift the scent into the air and give a good prescence of the perfume in the room. I love the Melissa note. It lasts for quite a long time, wich gives this perfume spice and zing. The Melissa even interacts with the Incense in the base! This combo is very pleasing. The Lavender, Iris, and Violet, all balance out what could be choking Peony and Rose, thank goodness. Notice, no white flowers..unusual. After the top notes fade, the Amber is strong, and there is some mixture of notes, with the all the sweetness combined, wich makes the smell of...
a brand new plastic baby doll. Are you familiar with Stella ? Similar, but less refined, seemingly of lower quality. Are you familiar with Anna Sui Dreams ? This is similar, but better.
I do like it, however, I don't know if I can commit to a purchase...

I bought this perfume last weekend & instantly liked it, reading these reviews is somewhat disturbing, however one does have to remember this smells different on everyone due to our own chemical makeup.

It's a bit embarassing but I have to review myself.
It's just... I don't know... there is something offensive in it.
I got this conclusion after using it a couple of times and I was always bothered. Too sharp and cleaning product smelling. Like a strongly scented detergent. Very disturbing and vulgar.

I really liked the eye-catching artistry for the ad and bottle of John Galliano's first fragrance. When I viewed the notes, I suspected that I would probably like it, so I bought a sample. Well, now that I've tried the sample, I will be sure to purchase more of this wonderfully unique fragrance. From the refreshing orangey mint opening to the warm floral heart which transitions to a relaxing powdery woody incense drydown, this perfume is a pleasure. I think it would be especially nice to wear in the evening. It has medium sillage and is fairly long-lasting.

this is my best fragrance,so sweet,mistic,sexual,different,special......

I was very curious about this John Gallianos first perfume. And it did paid off to wait.
Exciting first impression, and I liked it immediately. Not for everybody, because it's so strange. Interesting, sensual, mysterious and enchanting fragrance. Smoky floral with incesce.
I felt cinnamon in the opening and it's not listed even here, I must have a vivid imagination. Wicked bottle.

Unusual beauty!

i saw this in a store today and loved the bottle so much that i was sure i would love it! boy, was i wrong! this had nothing feminine or lovely about it. it was powdery in all the wrong ways and had some sort of spice that smelt like it was off. top-middle and base notes did not work for me in any way. sorry mr galliano, this was definately a hit and miss for me:(

Love the bottle, very artistic!!
Unfortunately let down by grandma smell of dusty pillows with old synthetic flower petals

It is an interesting and creative perfume... personally, I don't like the presentation and I find the fragrance a bit confusing. Open notes are very soapy and heady, and the evolution is dark though transparent... the dry down is powdery and smooth.
It was not love at the 1st sight, but I am falling in love with it !
I love having it, it is unique !

Two words 'Doctor Pepper'...

I stumbled across this perfume walking through a department store and fell in love instantly. the bottle is slightly OTT and the nozzle/ spritzer is a bit inconvenient for spraying the perfume but the smell is worth it in the end i think.

As Galliano himself for me is being an annoying and provocative fellow, I rightfully thought that his fragrance would be the same. Well, I miscalculated.
Even though I find the bottle displeasing, the content is a very nice surprise. At first sniff the aldehydes nearly made me sneez but that's ok. A few minutes later it settled down to an incomperable and complex bunch of velvet and powdery flowers.
Absolutely feminine and not overpowering at all. I can squarely detect all the middle notes which is really cool.
The drydown is elegant and longlasting, but unfortunately a slightly masculine on my skin through the patchouli.

John Galliano's 1st perfume is as complex,creative and genius as the man himself.Like his astonishing gowns, this scent has many facets,It's classed as a 'floral aldehyde'but like a prism it changes with every twist and turn. Yes, first impression is definitely an aldehyde, a faint scent of Channel 5 with its iris and bergamot, then comes violet, rose and the scent of powder puff;as if you have just stepped into a showgirl's powderroom. Wait...now there's the intoxicating smell of musk, amber and the sensual woody undertone of an 18th century boudoir.
The bottle reminds me of one of his haute couture gowns, with the glass molded and twisted to look like a cinched gothic ballgown in fushia and back,delicateley adorned with a gold rose.
In 1992 Theirry Mugler amazed the perfume world with the launch of 'Angel', a blend of fruits,coconut,candy,honey,amber,vanilla and chocolate that no other perfumer had ever blended.This clear blue icy liquid reflects through a star shaped bottle.John Paul Gaultier created the same fever in perfume with his now renamed 'Classique' in 1993, integrating fruits,anise,rose,orchid,vanilla and amber in his own unique way.And in his own unique way,bottled it into a ladies corset.
These designer scents are now, and will always be new world classics. I believe John Galliano has just been inducted into this privileged world of fragrance. Like his predecessors his 1st perfume has taken his imagination and creativity from the catwalk to your dresser.
You may not be able to afford a Galliano design but at least you can drown and loose yourself in the aroma of one.

I didn't expect to like this at all but I think it's in fact brilliant and very original. It's full of contradictions, but somehow it works. It's smokey, citrusy and powdery at the same time. It's also fresh, it has punch and is seductively budoir-like at the same time. A bit weird maybe. Weird and wonderful!
(Hate the cheap bottle, though.)

HEY! I`M FROM ARGENTINA, AND I TRY THIS PERFUM AND MIDNINIGTH POSSION, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT JOHN GALLIANO IT`S THE BEST PERFUME MARKER OF ALL THE TIMES, THIS NEW FRANGANCE IS THE BEST I TRY IN MY ALL LIFE.. I CANT WAITH FOR COME TO MY CONTRY SO I CAN BUY IT!!! CAN SOMBODY SAY TO ME HOW TO GET IT FASTER?? I LOVE IT!!
KISSIS

this is just what I would expect Himself to smell like!
minty clean yet fruity, maybe a little boozy w/ a med depth incenscey smell. Sort of reminded me of a cross between JPG leMale and 2-soem astringency which I LOVE, and a drydown w/ a strong floral that I thought resembled orange blossom

John Galliano is a fav designer of mine but that would not have made me buy the scent but it did interest me, as did the wonderful add campaign. Having said that I was curious about the scent as it is getting quite mixed reviews. My instincts told me it would be for me and they were correct.
It is a lovely scent, one which I feel I will wear for years to come. I liked it immediately and still do. Its everything I like in a perfume. Its slightly floral and a gently heady with wonderful warm velvety undertones. It reminds of Lolita Lempika L, its a fav of mine. Having said that this is a unique scent with that little bit extra. Its an instant favorite and there are not that many scents I can say that about. I still adore Angel and love Bond no 9 Chinatown and love Tom Ford and Flowerbomb. The thing is This eclipses them all. Do yourself a favour, go buy it its quite lovely and so soft. The scent of a women who is her own person and very sensuas.

this is a very strong perfume...the dry down smells a tiny bit like hypnotic poison and kenzo amour.If i had to pick one out of the three it would be kenzo amour. until the dry down its just sooo strong it gives you a headache...i wouldnt buy it

John Galliano so incomparable and distinct.
Gothic, melancholic but also romantic thats the right keywords for this Parfume...The Bottle is such a artwork,unusual and a eyecatcher.
The smell...the smell is not for everyone. The most people say it smells like a church ...the odors are related.John Galliano first sniff smoky and rosy the top notes are very strong maybe thats for the most of the people daunting. But after 10 min it's sweet and woody you smell the inscense and the peony,for me it smells also a bit like cherry.I get a sample and the packet and the sample is very great "love for detail".
This parfume is great but on the right person.It's very long lasting,better for the colder days.

Now Im wondering if I got a sample of the same fragrance as everyone else.

I absolutely loved the bottle- I think it is a little piece of art and my expectations were high. I have been looking for this fragrance for ages and just found it today. I was so very excited about it!

I dont know how many of you have ever gone to a very old, wooden church to attend a mass during which the priest had overused the incense. If you havent- this is exactly how this perfume smells like. Lots of incense and old wood. For me it smells of church and I cant detect any other notes in it unfortunately:(

For me it was sweet from the top till the bottom layers, it's chocolatey - in fact white chocolate and vanilla. Reminds me strongly Femme by Rochas or something of that ilk. I like the outer packaging - the paper box design is impressive, the bottle a bit weird but in concord with slightly quaint Galliano style.

First of all, I do not like the kitsch bottle covered with cheap looking plastic. For such a fragrance the bottle design could have been much more better. The fragrance? First of all I thought I already smelled it somewhere, then it became more interesting, more sophisticated. On my skin it had a smell of mint tea with lemon - fresh and warm at the same time, - and the most amazing thing is that it stayed on my skin so very long.

Very nice and interesting... lovely bottle 2! Hope will gona do some more fragrances under the galliano's brand... and something for men's 2!And I know this one it's gona b a success ;)