GFF Uomo

What? You say that there is another heavily floral chypre to come out of the 90s? Marketed to men? Is that so? Well, but my buttons...it is true, and it's a gem. Gianfranco Ferre, best known for its now legendary for MAN (note emphasis) that leaves us diehards weak in the knees (I have multiple bottles, so I immediately become a hypocrite to my previous review for Anucci for Men), released this tournament of roses, lily of the valley and ylang ylang, with a dusty carnation in the background. Gloriously radiant from its start, with a bitter galbanum and savory herbs, this goes right into flower town within an hour. As I write these lines, Animotion's "Obsession" starts playing, and it feels rather appropriate: chugging bass, synth riffs, and a fragrance with some bones that I think many wouldn't expect to be released in 1998 but 1985. However, this was the same year as Cartier Declaration, Bvlgari Black and Kenzo Jungle Pour Homme, an unlikely wellspring of creative releases. Its base is creamy, woody, mossy, like shades of pewter, celadon, and mauve. Now those colors do kind of remind me of the 90s, but let's not lose our poetry here. GFF Uomo is a startling stellar affair.

Starts with a blast of citrus. Then, the galbanum and the lavender takes the leads. Then, it slowly morphs into the heart notes, when one can clearly notice the jasmine and ylang-ylang, supported by a shy carnation note. The base will have a moss note, followed by a woody/creamy rose note. The transitions are definitely showing 3 clear stages, and for that, it's a demonstration of technicity that has been lost in modern perfumery. Its structure is quite thin and results being only a skin scent on me (the bottle I just got may possibly have lost in strength because of its age). That said, the longevity is stellar! I wouldn't classify this one as a rose fragrance, but as a perfect hybrid of fougere and chypre. Still, given its current popular price tag (I paid $25 shipped for a 100ml on ebay), it may be a nice addition that fragheads may want to consider to keep exploring in their journey if already owning many bottles, but that I wouldn't define as an essential fragrance to own. Just a like for now. Spring days, 30+ Edit: the more I wear it, the more I appreciate it. I love it now.

A dusty rose mingled with lily of the valley, vetiver, carnation and herbs with solid staying power; initially it might feel a bit dissonant but after a few wearings I have fallen in love with it. Gorgeous classy retro italian bottle that you will also fall in love with. The overall feel is masculine from the 90`s very much to my liking. Thumbs up!

Contrary to what the user votes say, the rose accord is definitely not the dominant note in GFFU. It's blended so well with the other notes that you barely smell it after the opening. This is a solid woody fragrance with dominant lavender/oakmoss notes. Masculine, impressively long lasting and deliciously retro. Yep, I love it!

The opening is harsh, pungent, astringent, but after 10-15 minutes the magic comes out: beautiful drydown with lots of rose, carnation and oakmoss. The opening smells like a mix of Aramis and Eau du Soir, while the base reminds me of 900