Galanos

Galanos is a beautiful, rich, multi-dimensional floral-oriental. It begins with a duet of juicy rose and brisk galbanum, perfect foils to each other. Then oakmoss comes on-stage, followed by spices---cloves, a hint of bay leaf. Next come carnation and jasmine, perhaps some lily of the valley, reviving the rose to dance with them. It ends with a fine resiny base of woods and tonka and vanilla. There is a bit of musk as well, but it is secondary to the other base notes. Over time, it becomes a little honeyed, deliciously so. Very lovely indeed. Moderate sillage (on me, as usual) and good duration. This was the pure perfume, dabbed on. I think that those who enjoy Byzance or Youth Dew would also enjoy this scent, although it isn't really like either of those exactly. Simply in the same troupe, with similar richness; Galanos shares certain compositional features with Byzance (complex floral oriental structure, with an almost chypre affinity from the galbanum, perhaps), and others with Youth Dew (warm, resiny base combined with green and spice notes). I like all three, and find them related but not interchangeable.

Galanos is "The Preciousssssss"...Galanos, along with Opium and Chanel #5, was my first Big Girl perfume back when they came out. I was in my early 20's and blew through a couple of bottles so fast, but moved on discovering more and more perfumes. Then, The Preciousssss was discontinued somewhere along the way and I came to forget about her. Just a little. I now have the reformulated version which lacks some of the depth and longevity but the golden, lush, cinnamon floriental beauty is still there.The warmth of it is simply amazing and meshs with my body chemistry in such a way that it seems to seep from my pores with a honeyed glow.... I just adore it!! A few sellers on Ebay (scammers?) have bottles they claim are "vintage" but I don't "do" Ebay as a rule and the prices are just $$$ !!! So,I'll just settle for the ones I find at other outlets and hope I can still find those for awhile. Does anyone here know what the Galanos Serene is like?? That one is very plentifful but I can't find a review of it anywhere. Thanks!

I don't know how to describe the smell of the original Galanos; it's almost a sweet, vanilla, sandal wood, musk and spice, never cloying. I honestly don't smell a lot of floral in the perfume. It has a lot in common with the Cartier Le Baiser Du Dragon, but yet is so entirely different. The staying power is enormous, and lingers for YEARS (yes years!) on clothing that it's come in contact with. This is a perfume that you must have a life long love affair with. It's the only one my mother will wear, and cannot seem to find a substitute for. You can still find the occasional original bottle on ebay; it's the one with the ball stopper/top or glass finial. DO NOT buy the one with the cylinder it's the reformulation without Oakmoss!

So today I received my older bottle (with the "ball" topper). This is just as I remember it. Distinctive, unusual, and oh so seductive. The notes are blended so masterfully that it all just comes together like a wistful and beautiful sonnet. I believe that even non-vintage/older fragrance lovers would find Galanos to be a fragrance that they want to wear... again and again. To my nose, there is almost nothing Tabu-like about it, except for maybe the hint of clove. A very nice addition to my wardrobe. It makes me feel as if I'm listening to Bach while lounging on a comfortable sofa. Nice!!!

Galanos is Elegance, Sophistication, and Sensuality All wrapped up in a Beautiful Bottle. I loved being drenched in this perfume it was and still is undoubtedly a great MASTERPIECE. This was classified as a Chypre Floral in the 80s' with Carnations Cloves spices enveloped in Oakmoss and Bay leaf Leaving you Breathless and Sexy. Excellent for Fall and Winter Oh, Galanos, what memories you bring to those Winter Slopes up in Switzerland. Galanos' Famous Hall of Famer FiFi winner 1980' will be a treasure one day So, wrack up before this Beauty leaves us.RIP, James GALANOS!