This was my first signature back in the 80s-90s. As a teenager, I found this scent deeply fascinating, and so did my classmates, so I disagree with those of you who said this is only meant for grown-up ladies. Yes, it may have been the signature of many women from 1948 on, and now they are old ladies, but if this one has stood the test of time in such a way it is because it has appealed to women of all ages for so many years, which in itself should prove it’s a real classic, not a dated “oldie”. If not, why is it that a bottle of LADT is sold every five minutes around the world? I don’t think the buyers are only old ladies. And after all, mustn’t poetry be accessible to all ages?
Some of you said this is a sad scent, but it isn’t so for me, or if it is it’s the scent of joy after sadness. This is pure bliss, true perfume sorcery, a celebration of love and peace (of mind) regained after a crisis. Maybe, especially if we bear in mind the historical moment of its creation, this inspires nostalgia for the times in which we didn’t know that conflict existed. As a teenager I didn’t know much about its origin, but it really was comforting to find shelter in it when I felt disappointed or depressed. Yes, I was a perfume freak in the making, and I already took frags too seriously and expected too much from them. It seems a leopard never changes its spots :)
Even the (much soapier) edt has a kind of opulence that takes you back to a stage of longed-for past well-being. It is subtle and dreamy, sensual only in a discreet way, but also rich and deep like Opium (I agree with sweetnspicey; I never related LADT to Opium back in my youth, but I do now). I get the first hints of carnation in its beautiful opening, a somewhat fruity one. Then it develops into a delicate spicy combination of carnation, jasmine, ylang-ylang and orris. After some 5 hours on my skin it dries down into powdery sandalwood, musk and a slight hint of iris, making me wish for more.
I never strayed far from L’Air. Or if I did I always came back to it. It’s just me. Or rather just us, taking into account its countless lovers around the world. I myself I’m proud to attract more and more users into loving it. People often ask me what divine perfume I'm wearing. Sometimes LADT can be a real magnet!
Jan
22
2012