Devastatingly Chic

The Diana Vreeland line is not an easy sell, which is probably why it is discontinued. Each of the offerings are very unique and many of them are not an instant like when first applied. Devastatingly Chic is a good example. This is a heavy carnation that is hard to describe. Its somewhat spicy but this strictly from the carnation. When applied it envelops you which can be overwhelming, however, if applied lightly this can be quite elegant and classy. There is nothing light or whimsical about this, it is strictly mature and serious. I like the old school vibe the Vreeland line gives off; they really don't make them like this anymore. Vaguely woody and vaguely powdery, as strong as this is it's somewhat evasive and leans unisex. If a middle aged man in a tree piece suit wore this I wouldn't bat an eye. This could be an offering from Guerlain from the early 80s. Because this line is getting phased out you can find a lot of them on line for a fraction of what they cost at retail. I've bought 3 so far and all of them are exceptional and well worth the $40-50 you can now find them for. A serious fragrance collector would appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into this line, they are well worth checking out.

The Diana Vreeland entire collection is a state of art. All the materials used are natural essences, most of them absolutes, the quality of every perfume in the entire DV list is exceptional. Devastatingly Chic is one of the most unique and beautiful perfume I discovered in the last decade. Everyone is asking what I wear, I feel unique, special. It is not a dominate carnation formula, as I expected. The carnation is natural ideed with a hint of pepper and as I feel, cardamom. The other ingredients completes the result and voila, this is Devastatingly beautiful. Yes, a touch of retro vibe but I need this in my life as long as I am fed up about bomboons and candy floss everywhere around me. Pricy, but worth the money. As I red, the entire DV line is discontinued. From the collection I also own and love Empress of Fashion, Simply Divine and Full Gallop, but I am.also looking for Extravagance Russe 😭. A beautiful and well deserved tribute to miss Vreeland, a unique and special lady who changed the fashion in a spectacular way across the decades.

Considering the inspiration, the name and the price tag, I was expecting something extravagant, extraordinary and exceptional but Devastatingly Chic is none of that. What it is is a lovely, feminine fragrance with a very vintage vibe, (thanks to the carnation note which I love) quite linear in nature, with a spicy sweetness and nothing more. Sadly there is nothing devastating or chic about it, just an old fashioned, lady like perfume that pretty much begins and ends on the same note. If you're looking for a carnation fragrance with a bit more olfactory evolution and at half the price, I would look into Bellodgia , Piu Bellodgia, L'Air du Temps, Florabotanica, DSH Oiellets Rouges, Oiellet Sauvage, Maja and more. Most of these charming fragrances are relatively easy to find, reasonably inexpensive and showcase carnation in a variety of beautiful ways. You may even be able to buy several bottles for what you would plunk down for just ONE of this Diana Vreeland number. Isn't that Devastatingly Nice?

DV's Devastatingly Chic is the most unique of her current range. I cannot liken it to any other fragrance, which says a lot. My initial criticism of this particular scent is that it does not match the bottle color (bright yellow). I assumed when I sprayed it that it would be a light and flowery concoction, which it is not. This is a delicately spicy carnation scent with just the hint of leather and tobacco. These latter notes lend it great depth and mystery, making it slightly unisex in nature. The scent warms nicely on the skin, maintaining its freshly cut carnation accord while its sharper notes are rounded out by an indistinguishable, ever-so-slightly gourmand quality. This fragrance speaks of old money, Kelly purses and shrimp salad lunches at the country club. I absolutely love it. I only wish the bottle were red to match its personality. Nordstrom is now carrying the line in some stores, which you can decant into sample vials. I highly recommend a sniff.

This is a lovely carnation fragrance that is absolutely unisex. Carnation is an uncommon note around which to build an accord in today's department store fare. To me this makes this special. It may be different in the niche market, but I doubt it. The scent has good longevity and good sillage too. It is has a nice touch of citrus and pepper upon opening and a lovely carnation heart with a complex base of woods and I think a vannilic/coumarinic accord. The only drawback is the price, which is high, but this certainly delivers and is actually unique in my opinion.

The funniest scene in Oceans 8 is when Sandra Bullock pulls a fraudulent return in the cosmetics department in Bergdorf Goodmans. Devastatingly Chic is one of the items Sandra steals off the shelf. One of the best scenes in the movie.

BreadWaterPerfume has defined this fragrance so well. My husband always asks for this scent when we go out dining. It performs like a good meal: sharp and stimulating at the outset, confident midway, and cozy by the end.