Signoricci Nina Ricci for men

*Reformulated version review*

Reading the list of notes above, I wish I had THAT version! I received a sample of the "new" version in a blind sample swap with another member here, and though it is NOT the elegant and rich 1965 version of Signoricci, it is otherwise still quite nice!

The opening is lemons, lemons, lemons with a squeeze of bergamot and some petit grain. I detect no galbanum, though it does become green and powdery later on. Scents with galbanum tend to be LOUD with that note, and I detect none of that here, just clean, fresh citrus, slightly sweet lemons and (maybe) a twist of lime. As the top fades, I get dry florals and sheer green with some sunny citricity remaining. I doubt that rose was added to the new one, at all. Do not mistake my observations for complaints, I am glad to have this scent. It is crisp and gentlemanly, and quite fine as far as aromatic greens go. I wish it was a bit louder and more complex, but I must say I liked it before I even knew WHAT it was...and that says it all. The drydown is warm, powdery, earthy and vaguely musky (in other words NO CIVET). Vetiver, moss? Yes, more cedar and amber than labdanum or tonka. Overall, still very nice. Having never smelled the original, I cannot say one way or another if this is better or worse...just quite nice.

Sillage: decent
Longevity: good
Overall: 3.25/5

As society's definition of masculinity changes, so does the general feeling of a masculine fragrance. Anymore, they are all clean and vaguely warm, with hints of flowers, maybe some spices and nothing too too musky (read: "risque"). Give me a gorgeous man stench...dripping with oakmoss and civet. Throw in all the flowers you want! A man should smell like a MAN...not some just bathed and powdered boy! Men are all different and everybody has their opinions. Mine: I think if Signoricci Sr. ever caught a whiff of his "boy" he would lower his head and keep walking...

Signoricci was simply a miracle, a chef-d'oeuvre. It was one of my "grands amours" in the 80's. Please write petitions, make demonstrations and call your senators ; pressure Nina Ricci : this perfume has to be marketed once again. Not reformulated, please, just re-marketed.

I had Signoricci 1 & 2 in the 70's both MUCH better than todays which only has a hint of whatever one it is they are trying to replicate.

A Shakespearean paean to the old "houndstooth" version:

To Signoricci

If thou hast tired of lemon and of lyme
Know now Signoricci! No pledging burst
Which falters in a passing moments’ time,
Or dries down from the decent to the worst.

O no, it is an ever fixéd mark
Of taste on those who own rather than claim it.
Agrumes and flowr’s and musk build up an arc
So faultless, time is at a loss to maim it.

Outranking whate’er in its purview fell,
Torino-born designer’s Lord of scents,
It's glory merely aims to serve you well,
Providing substance always, ne’er pretense.

If this be error, which Turin forbid,
I ne'er inhaled, nor no man ever did.

Signoricci 1 (1976) is a discontinued flower-tobacco based fragrance.