Florentine Iris Eau de Parfum

Elegant and versatile interpretation of iris. If I were to use Jean-Claude Ellena’s form based classification of scents, I would classify this as a good example of “figurative” scent. That is, a faithful representation of a real scent, iris in this case. Quite simply, the scent is just that and that is good. Yes, obviously the scent has notes of other substances softening and warming it a bit, but based upon my own experience, essentially this is what a real iris is like, or at the very least, the scent is a fairly close representation of that. When comparing this to other scents having iris as a prominent component, this is much purer and fresher iris. As for my own collection, when compared to Dior Homme Parfum, Dior Homme Parfum is much warmer, powdery, much sweeter and much softer in general. On the other hand, if I compare this to Amouage’s Interlude Black Iris, Amouage is a lot darker, smokier and heavier scent. Of course, all of these scents are iris, just a very different interpretations of the same base scent. As for development of the scent, on my skin it is very linear. The scent is extremely constant and in my opinion, top, middle and base notes are not too distinctive when compared to each other. Once applied, the scent is very constant until it fades. All of the above makes this parfum very versatile performer in real life. It is elegant, versatile yet not dull. Interesting, yet not overwhelming in any sense. This makes it suitable for office. At least, when just one spray is applied (furthermore, the atomiser is good, providing focused, but quite misty sprays and magnetic cap that clicks nicely on place). With respect to seasons, I would classify this as a spring or summer scent. For me it is little bit too light and fresh for fall or winter. For fall or winter, I would prefer Dior and Amouage. For me, this is an office scent. Although it is interesting, it might be a little bit too tame or too elegant for clubbing or the like activities. As for longevity, it is very good, although not eternal like freak cases - Amouage’s Black Iris is prime example of the latter. On my skin, this means around 8 hours for Zegna, give or take.

Blind bought this one a few years ago, because of the hype it already had. Got it on huge discount, already Zegna had sold its licence from Estee Lauder to Give Back Beauty - actually it took them 5 years to release a new perfume. This scent is spectacular and nothing comes close. It was a huge crime to discontinue thsi masterpiece, I guess there was something going on with licence, after changing the parent company. This is a "buttery" iris with violet undertones. Forget the "lipstick" effect of the original Dior Homme line. Iris here is naked, raw and feels more floral. The signature bergamot note is there but somewhat hidden, which runs throughout the essenze collection and is harvested from a single field in Italy’s sun-soaked region of Calabria, which Zegna owns. The collection was launched during the 2019 edition of Salone del Mobile in Milan, comprising of five fragrances: Mediterranean Neroli, Indonesian Oud, Madras Cardamom, Florentine Iris and Italian Bergamot. Roman Wood and Javanese Patchouli were added later on the line, while Golden Myrrh was a Harrods exclusive. Longevity is really good, close to 6h, while sillage is moderate. My batch is from 2019, no idea if there was any kind of reformulation later, the line was discontinued at the end of 2021. Huge HUGE love and I am so devastated that this masterpiece is no longer available and so hard to find.

Can anyone tell me when Florentine Iris EDP was reformulated? The bottle I bought is missing a lot of what I liked about the sample I fell in love with. From my experience of the EDP (sample of unknown batch), it's a high potency, musky, violet/iris/orris bomb with eternal longevity and great projection. A great fragrance all year round and so fresh! It maintains a fresh component all the way into the dry down. I feel like it leans feminine, as it immediately reminded me of something I'd smelled on a female before. I happen to love it though. The older (unknown date) batch lasts on clothes for days. The later batch which I purchased a full bottle of (A91, September 2021 batch) has none of the eternal freshness, is thinner, less complex, lacks the long-lasting orris root accord and after testing side-by-side on cards does not project in the dry down like the older one. The September 2021 batch definitely has a different formula, as testing side by side on cards, the long lasting woody-amber base molecules used are different. The older one can be detected on my skin even after two showers. The newer one washes clean off, leaving only a feint whiff behind and dying completely soon after. Feel so ripped off and saddened. My only hope now is to get the sample analysed and attempt a recreation!

This thing! This Precious Florentine iris!..This is the magic of perfumes because they bring images, pictures out of our subconscious mind of places or emotions...FI always evoked on my mental screen the following picture: Late sunny afternoon in autumn, one of those indian summer lazy days. A hotel room furnished accordingly in old style, as if from some other century may be 19th or 18th. The bed covers, and sheets with some linen on top. A beautiful woman sitting doing her make-up or reading a book while the afternoon sun rays have lit a half of the room through the lace curtain...Outside there is a lawn with some autumnal flowers surrounded by a forest'... Also, the scent transports me to my childhood when there were candies called "violets" that had absl the same smell..😊.. All i get from this perfume is violet/iris blended perfectly well and musk at the base - nothing else. Violet note i think is a bit more prominent than the iris. Florentine iris is sensual and exquisite. It lasts long and projects moderately. It can be used in spring and autumn It goes fine as an evening perfume It is unisex The best top 3 dry downs in my collection!..It is just stunning! The best iris perfume i've ever smelled and worn so far!

If you were ever in search of a fragrance that mimics the exact smell of clean linen, here it is! The best, most versatile, iris I've smelled to date, bar none. If you want to smell like fresh, clean, linen & have everyone inhale you as you go by, spray some of this on and noticably see people inhale deeper in your presence. It's of my opinion that, to a point, luxury designer fragrances are now on par with niche fragrances and sometimes better. True, they're not as quirky or daring as their niche counterparts, but often times better blended. Also, designer companies have more funds to invest into R&D, who in turn create focus groups to insure their products will be well received by their targeted demographic. At least in most cases. Definitely in this case. Well done, Zegna!