Gianfranco Ferre for Man

One of my favorite Italian designer scents - it has been in my rotation since the 90's. This is how a Woody Chypre of quality should smell - complex and captivating! Truly outstanding in both quality of ingredients and composition. I consider the Vintage glass bottle to be near-perfection, with its rich, deep and dark notes of magnificent wood (dusty cedar & smooth sandalwood), earthy, dry vetiver, warm pipe tobacco, smooth lavender and other wonderful florals in the heart (sharp carnation, green jasmine & earthy geranium), warm citrus and key notes of sage, fig leaf and orris root filling out the scent pyramid in the heart. Patchouli, Oakmoss and Juniper Berries are more apparent in the Vintage formulation, as well as very nice, smooth Italian leather in the base notes (the juniper really showing late in the heart and segueing into the foundation of rich notes). There is still a light moss note in Current and both the patchouli and juniper berries are well-integrated - but more of a light wood/warm musk base. The top and heart notes are well-presented, while the depth in Vintage is gorgeous - sensual, even. Current production juice actually is still very good - brighter, more Sicilian Lemon, Petit Grain, and floral notes with a nice base of wood, musk and patchouli. It is actually rather wonderful to layer the formulations together...on a base of Vintage After Shave splashed on, no less. I find a full-wearing in cooler months to lean more towards Vintage (2/3 to 1/3 or so) and opposite in warmer months with more Current. However, this is truly a year-round scent. Great for the office, if you are a confident man. Great for a date, if you are a confident man. And, great for the bedroom...if you are a confident man. So, let me make this clear - it takes confidence, refinement and taste to pull this scent off. Not for everyone - but one should try this as a reference point in male perfumery. I don't like it - I absolutely love it! It is a bit "dated" - in the sense it takes a certain maturity to wear it with confidence...but, with the right attire and attitude, it actually makes a statement that you are "serious" and not here to play games. A captivating scent that grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go... I waited a very long time to write a "review" of one of my favorite classics in Gianfranco Ferre for Man - and in the end I want to actually just pay homage to such a brilliant bottle of fragrance. So chic, suave and classic Italian styling. One cannot mistake it for any other country of origin - this is distinctly, Italian. It is, in a word, exceptional. Not loud - but warm and smooth. A gentleman's scent. Vintage - near perfection, but moderate projection (however, I am not sure I would want it to be louder...an incredible harmony of notes!) Current - still excellent, with louder top notes and heart notes (mainly citrus & florals) - more projection but less depth. Preferred wearing - always a blend of the two, layered on top of each other...this is fragrance that deserves FAR more attention that it gets, but then again, I don't want to smell like everyone else... I have written about this extensively on Basenotes forum threads...and don't want to be redundant. However, this is not an everyday scent. It is a scent one would wear if they want to express their masculinity, but in a refined and elegant way. Captivating - and GFF for Man will always be part of my wardrobe. Cheers.

A classic scent deserves a classic review so I want to share what a highly regarded member of BN's, Darvant, has to say about this 80's masterpiece. "I've always appreciated since its inception this great creation, placed in the middle between a classic chypre and an aromatic fougere, so decided to test it back after a while (a long while, twenty years later at least). I remember to have tested it for the first time many years ago and since than i was impressed by the complex evolution running from the initial lemony and aromatic (slightly minty) harshness to a multifaceted, rooty, mossy and obscure "leather boutique" wake with colors of orange, bergamot, spices, cedar, patchouli, petitgrain and flowers. This taste is rich, luxurious and classy. As well as many previously underlined the first barber-shop blast is an hardly appealing thirsty lemon-lavender "welcome". The aromatic fist of fern, juniper and fir is in a while bursting together with the pungency from the black cardamom that is the prelude for the upcoming darkness of the forest. There is in particular a remarkable fir/lavender's presence (conjuring me a lot the one I get in Jacomo de Jacomo) providing aromatic stiffness and uncompromising fougere classicism (the "vintage side of the moon"). The central stage is the most articulated phase of the development, a stage in which dozens of facets (herbal, floral, leathery, mossy, ambery, citrusy etc.) whirl around in a general vintage, potpourri and almost boozy atmosphere whose illusion (the booziness indeed) is enhanced by the chord of gassy spices (nutmeg?), tobacco, mild amber and mandarin-orange. The central part is luxurious but shadowy and restrained in its performances implemented by astringent flowers and fruits that are almost overwhelmed by the gluminess and heaviness coming from the woodsy notes. I catch a sheer leathery mould in the final slightly powdery and very sophisticated outcome, a starring, almost creamy, ambery (almost silky) leather that envelops many elements like moss, sandalwood, smoke and strong rooty vetiver (finally soothing the latter, namely another great protagonist of the aroma). In this phase the harshness is tamed but i would not define the smell as properly soapy. Ceremonial and austere with a touch of exoticism. Together with Pontaccio 21 my favourite from the great italian brand and in general a real precious leathery potion among the classics from the 80's. P.s: i finally purchased a 75 ml bottle of this gem and i have to say that the more i wear it the more i like it. I detect points in common with Santos but GFFM is more refined and close to a sip of extra fine scotch enjoyed over a leather sofà in to a cozy luxurious ambience. Believe me, this is really, but really a fantastic fragrance, one of the best i know, unbelievably multifaceted, deep, dark, smoky, very leathery, spicy, boozy, incensey, classy, mysterious and more and more. A great olfactory romance and a superb vetiver. Chic at highest levels. Buy it as much as possible."Ciao...

GF For Man was a game changer for me. A sort of perfumery paradigm shift. A gestalt moment. Call it how you like. I was introduced to it around about 1988, coming across it in a slightly obscure gents outfitters in Oakwood, Leeds. Looking on Google Earth it is no longer there, and I suspect long since gone. Owned by a charming elderly Italian gentleman with a love of opera, there was a well-mannered and engaging King Charles spaniel that roamed freely within the premises. Considering the owners modest stature, he presented a somewhat dramatic appearance and curious intensity that was accentuated by mild exophthalmos (causing an unfortunate resemblance to his dog). A moustache that seemed permanently on the move whether speaking or not, he traversed the floor with the proud and graceful deportment befitting a matador. He regaled me of a recent trip to Egypt to witness an outdoor production of Aïda - which included sets with live elephants, giraffes, ostriches and big cats. I learned in time he was personally acquainted with many famous opera stars. Wall mounted behind his desk was an old, modestly framed, signed photo of Enrico Caruso. I correctly identified the legendary tenor before demonstrating a little knowledge of Caruso's all-too-short life. Suddenly I was launched stratospherically in his estimation. Abruptly, I was being fêted like a long lost relative. To observe his protective demeanour as I leaned for a closer inspection suggested he prized the photo above almost all else – at least on a par with his small dog and possibly even his wife. The scent he wore and the only one he carried was Gianfranco Ferre for Man. He talked knowledgeably about it and enthusiastically regarding the hand selected, small, family-centric labels he carried. His merchandise was interesting and understatedly exquisite. He seemed to have connections in fashion and opera all over the place, but in particular with his native Italy. Since that day GF For Man has resided among the "always haves" in my collection. I have both the original (the clear bottle with the stopper, from around 2000) and a newer one (sprayer and frosted glass), and I can't pretend the difference is at all obvious. To me they are pretty much indistinguishable having suffered no obvious detriment if reformulated. This is a powerful masculine Italian scent of strongly floral/herbal/earthy notes peerless in its complexity. The depth is phenomenal; and there is commensurate sillage and longevity. It is a rare surviving link to a Golden Age that included Nina Ricci Phileus, Ted Lapidus Pour Homme, Charles Jourdan Un Homme, original Burberry for Men, and Givenchy Gentleman. GF ticks so many boxes. Rarely does a week go by when I don't reach for it. A great, GREAT scent. Having such a vivid memory of our solitary encounter, all these years later I'm left wondering who that delightful Italian gentleman was and what became of him. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sometimes words fail me, and when they do, I tend to fall back on the routine of explaining the notes that I smell in a fragrance: a fistful of sage, a dry lavender, and the like (yes, these are in Ferre for Man). In recent months of writing about scent, I've come to find this approach to verge on prosaic, and gleans very little beyond what I can identify and detect. I've challenged myself to steer away from this when I can, much like using "photorealistic," "stunning/stunner," and most certainly "DNA"—by the way, how can two entirely different perfumers with distinct styles who contribute to the same perfume house compose two perfumes for the brand with the same "DNA," anyhow? That one's a head scratcher to me. Anyways, with Ferre for Man—yes, Man, not merely men, but a MAN, THE MAN—we are reminded that there is often no clear delineation between styles. A fragrance can be strictly a fougere or strictly a chypre, I suppose, but what about when the two overlap? Mostly fougere with some chypre elements, or a hearty chypre with a dash of fougere qualities? Here, I smell a clear confluence between the two, a "chygere," and this very much accounts for its appeal to me: double the satisfaction, if you will. To break it down to its bare elements, however, would do it a disservice. Its understated elegance belies its brutish fanfare, and this may get lost in translation for some noses who expect olfactory dividends for one reason or other (to get a pat on the back or to get laid?). No, it isn't a beast, but it isn't a simpering pretty boy. Oh, here comes the adjectives, it was inevitable after all: smooth, textured, herbal, juniperous (I made it up but it works here), woody, dark, handsome, and maybe another "h" word or two. It's best appreciated when one is not distracted, takes a few deep breaths, and just sits in an armchair, a recliner, even, and notices it. It is no secret I celebrate masculinity especially as it is interpreted in perfume, and this encapsulates it. And Ladies: you can connect to your animus through wearing this just as well as I can lavish in my anima by donning LouLou or Ombré Rose. For Man is stone cold stunner (fuck, I couldn't resist).

UPDATE: I have sampled the latest version. It is VERY close to the original, but has a stronger floral component. It's nice, but... I really find myself more at home with the original. And unfortunately, the oldest version is getting harder and harder to find. The all black bottle is the latest, while the one with partially exposed brown glass is the previous one. The bottle I have is an earlier splash bottle, as pictured. The newest formulation has a completely black spray bottle and the one immediately prior to that has matte black along the entire bottom half of the bottle (the top part exposing brown tinted glass). When I saw the sealed box of what looked like the older splash version, I snapped it up without knowing this fragrance at all. No regrets! In the beginning I pick up a powdery essence that reminds me very much of Pasha de Cartier. But that doesn't last. There's a dirty/gritty side to it that comes through. Something about the oakmoss, petitgrain and lavender notes hail an earlier time in fragrances, but not so deeply that you'd find this very dated. It's what I'd consider a timeless classic. This is a complex fragrance, no doubt. My nose doesn't seem precise enough yet to pick out all of the notes, but I do sense many of them and it seems to change over time. I think Bigsy hit the nail on the head in his review--this is a fragrance for aficionados. Like a smoky and peaty Islay single malt, you need time to take it in. This is no quick dab and run aroma. It's a thinking man's fragrance. When you apply it you need to put some on your wrist so you can keep raising it to your nose and whiff, experiencing the unfolding of this wonderful concoction. ;-) FWIW, in all of my readings about this fragrance, the general impression is that the newer formulation is pretty close to the original. Some people charge hefty prices for the vintage, so... be careful not to overpay. 9.5/10.

This review is based on the "new" bottle: covered in all-black, flat paint: Gianfranco Ferre is a scent that initially I disliked: it was a blind buy, because that initial experience would have caused me to look at alternatives at the counter. But having given it a few more attempts (largely due to pretty positive reviews here) I can honestly say that I have grown to really like this. My initial response was colored by a very strong, top note which I would describe as bitter-mossy and smoky: a strong dark element that suited the black bottle. I don't get any of the claimed citrus elements at all! Sillage initially with this top note is a monster, but fades quickly into very pleasant, complex middle notes which are warm elements of tobacco, vetiver and woody elements. Unlike that first blast, on dry-down the sillage shifts surprisingly to the low-moderate side, but retains excellent longevity on my skin and clothes: a warm, musky amber-vetiver combo that is honestly amazing and one of my favorite long-lasting basenotes anywhere. I have to admit that I cannot think of another product that improves so much as it dries, and since the essence of any scent really isn't in the brief top-notes, I am giving this a thumbs-up and decent scores based on what I get after that first 20-30 minutes. Ferre is very much the antithesis to the sweet and fresh-green scents that seem to be dominate among the bar-scene and hip crowd, but doesn't venture into the Oud-category that most perfumers seem to screw up. It requires confidence for younger guys to wear this, and for the rest of us to get past the harsh top-notes. But it rewards us in the end with a long-lasting, low-sillage scent that seems to ooze quality and class. Scent: 9/10 Sillage: 6/10 Longevity: 9/10 Overall: 8/10, and because I purchased it at $16, I give it a: Value-for-money score of 9/10

"Rumak", maybe YOU are the ignorant one. If you can't see what is going on this world lately, with the marxist cancel culture destroying and erasing all of the great things of our past, then you are truly ignorant or you are in agreement with it. The discontinuation of all of these amazing masculine fragrances is OBVIOUSLY the worldwide marxist cancel culture at work. Just as they are tearing down statues of great historical figures, they are also trying to erase the memory of how great things used to be when we were truly FREE and we had true creative freedom. They are also trying to blur the line between masculine and feminine with truly masculine smelling fragrances being canceled and replaced with repugnant old lady smelling scents that real men should not be wearing. They are purposely defiling the natural order of things. This mass discontinuation of so many legendary male fragrances is definitely part of an agenda. Look up "The 45 Stated Goals Of Communism" and read goal numbers (22); "Continue discrediting Western culture by ~degrading all forms of artistic expression~, eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substituting shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms". (23)"Control art critics and directors of art museums. " Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." >>>>So yes, oh ignorant one, perfumery is an ART, and yes it is being purposely defiled. IFRA is the communist hammer bludgeoning this particular art form. I don't have time to get into the other hammers destroying all other forms of art, including MUSIC. You can easily figure that one out on your own. ALL of these hammers are under the control of the same people with the very same agenda.

This review is for the Diana De Silva release from the early 2000s. A classy, dignified, mature, restrained, smooth, extremely well-blended scent. And definitely Italian. Very comforting. I find this exceedingly pleasant and pleasing throughout its life, including the citrus opening. I used and loved Aramis Tuscany in the '80s, and I find the structure of this scent to be quite similar. The similarity lies in two aspects: 1) its exceptional blending and concomitant smoothness and restrained character, and 2) its being a hybrid of a fougere and a chypre, with aromatic elements. The difference is that in this scent florals are pronounced in the middle, and the lovely leather accord is integral and integrated into the base, whereas in vintage Tuscany the leather accord sort of wafts and floats above the other notes. All in all, GF For Man comes across as an even classier, more refined, more reserved, and more natural scent in the same genre. Exactly what I was looking for. IMO, this scent remains incredibly versatile. It could be worn formal, semi-formal, dates, casual, or personal. Outstanding quality always trumps time and place. This is a timeless scent and of the highest quality. If you are expecting this to be a bombastic '80s aromatic fougere, unwearable today, you would be tragically mistaken. Yet, it is probably best suited to mature individuals. Highest recommendation for lovers of this style. Does this scent make me think I am an Italian patrician overlooking his estate from the comfort of his leather chair in his wooded library? Well, no. But it does give me a good basis for dreaming of such.

rowan.walters, so, you think that natural ingredients, such as oakmoss, or eugenol, linalool, farnesol, etc., are bad for your health?????, and the synthetic chemical ingredients IFRA demands replace the natural ingredients are safe? Did you know that lavender or linalool is next on their "to ban" list? Clove oil, or eugenol is going to be banned soon too. See a pattern here? Do you really think that harmless substances such as lavender or clove are bad for your health? Do you think those horrible-smelling toxic chemicals they are replacing natural oils with aren't being absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin and causing REAL harmful effects? You are ignorant, or you are in bed with IFRA and the chemical companies that IFRA is in bed with. Artificial chemical ingredients will give a human cancer or other ill effects before natural fragrance ingredients ever will. Natural perfume oils have been used in perfumery for centuries with no problems whatsoever, except in your twisted imagination. And I don't pay any heed to "studies" funded by the chemical companies. I'm not an idiot. Those "studies" are corrupt and intentionally designed for a desired outcome. You aren't fooling ANYBODY. Get lost. Go douse yourself in cancer causing chemicals and walk around thinking that you smell good. (You smell terrible.) (You smell like a toxic chemical waste dump.)

I blind bought a 125ml bottle of Ferre For Man just because a very good friend of mine (did I say Lana Lool?) was absolutely enthusiastic about this fragrance and as I hold in high regard this man (for his countless values) I went for this purchase with no hesitation. I've to admit it took for me a while to fully appreciate this composition as the opening notes (mainly bergamot and lavender) are not among the best examples of a "catchy opening". They're kind of edgy and too acidic but fortunately they quickly evolve into an amazing fougère made of woods, leather, tobacco, vetiver and floral patterns. Elegant, extremely complex and refined but absolutely not affected as it gathers together more than a single aspect of the 80's powerhouse style. Don't get me wrong, Ferre For Man is not as powerful/overwhelming as many other fragrances of the same genre but, just for that, it can represent a terrific alternative for anyone who's in the mood for a lighter fougere which still shows a considerable amount of testosterone. As a matter of fact, Ferre For Man rapidly became one of my favourite fragrance in the vintage designer's range being a fantastic example of a complex masculine. Great lasting power, good sillage, remarkable personality. Quality stuff. A great all-rounder, an all time favourite. Rating: 8.5/10

Now this is a fragrance that really deserves more broader recognition.... When I first tested Gianfranco Ferre For Man, I concluded - wrongly - that this was a fragrance that was trying too hard, that it was a fragrance that was trying, like CDG's 8 88 many years later, to give the fragrance feel of gold, of riches, of opulence. Something about the initial top-notes led me to think of the eighties and all that was entailed....I washed off and moved on. Then a long time later, I decided to give GFF For Man another chance - and this time wait longer for the drydown. And boy, was that the right thing to do. This fragrance is all about development, all about how a complex fragrance takes time to unfold...and all about the charm of enjoying that happen on your skin over time. The associations of this fragrance are unquestionably Italian, stylish and mature. It is redolent of the good life, but also gives a reflective and 'good-natured' vibe which even charms the wearer. This is very much a fragrance that can improve the mood... Gianfranco Ferre For Man has excellent longevity, greater than usual projection (which is tolerable because the fragrance feels light, fresh and inoffensive) and has good versatility. Its value for money indicator is off the charts.... All said, a really beautiful fragrance to try...

The typical black tie scent, or I would call it a black horse because of its dark, gloomy elegance. And although I will never have more of this, I allowed myself to wear it once in my life. I hope it's not just once. (I got this as a gift for my 18th birthday, and since it ran out and I started to be a fragrance crazy, I've been looking for it all the time.) Let's see what it's like: It smells exactly like Tata's shaving foam. Something divine. The old man had good taste. Every drop of it is a treasure. Something is so amazingly good about this scent.😍🥳🤗 It smells different every moment. I melt, the top, the middle and the base are very addictive.: Yesterday afternoon I sprayed it on my left hand at 2 o'clock. Then, after the heart notes had already opened, I went to take a shower around 4 o'clock, but as befits the greatest ones, the base acords of the fragrance remained. It's noon the next day, the base notes are still present in the intimate zone, and even the carnation from the heart note shines there in waves. Brilliant. I love it. I loved it before, I love it now, and I hope it will be available for a long time.

A blind buy, based on positive Fragrantica reviews and some distant memories. My first test was a bit confusing - applied two sprays only, and the scent evaporated too soon. Not a powerhouse, for sure! But definitely not a weak sister - another test, performed with six sprays (five on my neck and wrists, and one more on a cotton shirt) made me believe in Ferre magic. Opening: sharp, tart, spicy, full of green notes. In five minutes or so, the scent calms down, becoming gentle, soapy and flowery - but retaining a lot of its 'green' character'. And after an hour, it turns into a glorious blend of wood, oakmoss, spice, lavender and freshly cut tobacco - with a twist of lime! The drydown is linear but balanced so well that you wouldn't ask for anything more. An elegant dark green cologne, suitable for every season and occasion. It won't insult anybody at the office, it's perfect for all kinds of formal occasions, and most important, it will help you to feel fresh, confident and happy. I only wish it was a bit stronger in terms of projection. Otherwise, a great scent. Recommended!

One of the best chypre perfumes of all time.If you are into woody fresh aromas ,then you should try this.The first and best(IMO)offering from the fragrantline of the italian house. Ferre for man may starts very fresh due to the mandarin note but turns quickly sour and bitter before tobacco and oakmoss dominate the whole composition. FFM is also slightly sweet only a little bit ,just to balance the bitter and dusty notes.The presence of Vetiver - Oakmoss and patchouli(the typical trio that may someone find in Chypre compositions) can also be detected while the perfume dries down. In general i'm very excited with the fragrantline of the italian fashion house cause Ferre have produced many remarkable perfumes (like Pontaccio 21,Bergamoto Marino,Bluemusk, etc..) and this one is no exception.BUT, if i had to choose between them i would easily pick this one because FFM lasts long ,is mature and above all is complex,cause all of the elements have artistically blended to produce a wonderful sonnet of floral ,woody an hesperoid notes. Classic and elegant in the italian style.BRAVO!

got a small vial 5 mil mini off of ebay, was curious just because i read a comment about a similarity of type of scent to patou por homme..and i was very pleasantly surprised with this, it smells wonderful. very impressed and for the price an unbelievable value ..sometimes we just get lucky, and this one is a winner, get a wiff of this one if you enjoy the classic fougere fragrances...i really do and will be adding this one. a very very nice fragrance it does remind me of the classic style of colognes like patou , derby's and other powerhouse fragrance.. man style.....and at these prices an outstanding value and should be considered. I ended up purchasing a full bottle at a great price. splendid fragrance. such an underated scent. thank goodness for fragrantica, and all of its readers talking about this one. I actually ended up purchasing a small 1 oz spray , the bottle just like the one pictured above, I am almost out of it, I did not realize I would wear it as often as I have. excellent fragrance and has become one of my favorite scents to wear.

I just received this one in the mail. The bottle is an all-black tester. My initial impression is that this is a very subdued yet full-bodied scent. Compared to other 80s fragrances with similar compositions, this one lacks that initial sharpness of citrus, musk, and wood. I would consider this scent to be slightly dated but still elegant. On my skin I am reminded of my bottle of Santos de Cartier, except Santos has a bit stronger scent, with the top notes being more cutting, but it is a vintage bottle so that is to be expected. I assume that with this being a newer formulation (from what I have read) the sillage seems to be moderate. I have yet to determine the longevity (I just sprayed it and wanted my to record my initial assessment). UPDATE: So I had applied it at the beginning of the afternoon (around 3 pm) and this scent was going strong at around 10 pm. The projection was diminished, of course, but my clothes still reeked of this fragrance, which I found pleasant and well worth the money spent.

super classy mature scent. perfect blend with a bitter citrus, oakmoss and tobacco. ferre for man is without a doubt a "non modern parfume", it clearly comes from another age and i love this thing. it reminds me a rich mature gentleman, serious and strong. unfortunately i received the latest formulation, the bottle is not all-black but it was made by ITF in the early '00. it has the oakmoss and treemoss in the list of ingredients. the performance is a bit disappointing, longevity is 4-5 hours and sillage is for 1,5 hour, projection is not strong, not a powerhouse to be clear. i dont regret the purchase but i was expecting something more from the performance. the fragrance in itself is really good, not for young people, fits better for 30 and up.grazie per l'attenzione! scent: 9 longevity:6,5 silage:6,7 uniqueness: 9 bottle: 9 versatility: 7,5 my vote: 8,5 in one word: mature

I can understand younger noses tripping over the opening top notes, which sort of remind me of Ho Hang Club's top end - is it carnation? juniper? I've come to love it, but it takes a while to understand. The drydown gives off comforting wafts. That's my favorite part of this one. Scent association: A refined elderly Italian gentleman wearing a vest by a wood fire, sitting on a comfortable chair next to a lamp. He's reading and smoking a pipe and the evening is quiet. The walls are paneled with wood and there is no television or electronic gadgetry present. He's lived with more dignity than you and remains calm and purposeful in the face of life's troubles, so show some respect. This is his signature scent. Overall, balanced nicely. Sad to see it go, but not surprised. Will hold onto and treasure my bottle. 9/10

This is an EXTREMELY sophisticated fragrance. Unlike most typical powerhouse scents, this is not bold. It is very restrained, like saying more with silence than with words. It is the only chypre perfume that I own. Even though many of my perfumes contain patchouli, in none of them is it so evident as in this one. This scent is absolutely irrelevant for the popular tastes of today. When I think of all the Guilties, Sahariennes, and 1 Millions, I really become sad. It is like these really need an apology in the face of perfumes like this one. GF for Man is in all probability one of the last examples of a perfume that you could not pick to wear according to your mood, like most people would do today. Rather, you had to have the corresponding behaviour, in order to wear this with dignity.

Green citrus-y opening, that will quickly morph into an aromatic lavender supported by carnation. Shortly after, it again morphs into a bitter musky oakmoss, supported by noticeable patchouli, petitgrain and vetiver, that will overall give a stunning impression of soapy tobacco. A loss of strength is expected when buying an old fragrance, and my bottle is no exception. That said, it doesn't impact its beauty at all. This one stands on the same shelf as Lauder for Men and VC&A pour Homme, both in scent profile, and in my heart. In summary: a masterpiece on which oakmoss lovers shall put their hands on. Fall/Winter days, 35+ Note: review for the "Diana de Silva" first vintage formulation, two different batches tested on side-by-side, which are exactly identical.

This is a MASTERPIECE with Italian Style, Nostalgic, Complex, Spicy and Soapy. Nowadays It is hard to find and very Expensive ! It opens up with fresh spicy, green and spices notes in the background then dry down is soapy green mossy and woody. I bought it blind-buy after reading the positive comments. If you like Soapy Spicy Green perfume Similar to Open Black and Sergio Tacchini, You will like this one. I'm so happy that I have it in my collection and I love it, Gianfranco Ferre is suitable for the Cold Weather, The art of bottle design is very interesting, Black Bottle with golden spray without Cap. Longevity is good. Two Thumbs Up. Bravo Gianfranco Ferre ! Rating : 8.5 / 10

The way I see it, every Fashion designer has a signature scent attached to him/her. For me, Versace is L'Homme, Christian Dior is Eau Sauvage, Yves St Laurent is Kouros, Armani Pour Homme, Carolina Herrera is Herrera For Men and the late, great Gianfranco Ferre is Ferre For Men. This is class in a bottle. One of the best scents born in the 80s that still remains among the top 10 of all time. You can slap numerous superlatives on a bottle of GFFFM and still come short of doing it justice. This truly is a magnificent creation and an Italian perfumery masterpiece. I have several bottles of both the original and the newer versions and I still don't think I have enough!

A great 80s masculine fragrance, typical of the era in that it has more notes in it than a Mahler symphony. It's a chypre; it's a fougere; it's even a leather (yes, although the note pyramid above omits the decided leather note). It's woody and aromatic, and the musk in it even makes it a little animalic. It's all those things, and it's also out of fashion... and it smells wonderful. Because it fell out of style before Giancarlo Ferre was sold, its new corporate owners discontinued making it, but you can still find it pretty easily for a good price.

Ferre for Man is a fougere done right. It perfectly combines dark lavender notes and other old school masculine Chypre ingredients such as real Oakmoss and Cinnamon which is not listed here. The Bergamot and other citrus accords are there to brighten it a little and prevent the whole composition becoming too dark. I find it very similar to older legendary masculines such as Halston Z-14 and the original Dunhill. It takes elements from both of those two classics. Sad it's gone forever 10/10

Oakmoss and tobacco heaven. GFFM is supremely mature ... thoroughly relaxed ... definitively European. The original 2.5 oz splash bottles (clear front) are not impossible to find, from which one can fill an atomizer for convenience. The opening is bitter citrus, but then wait for the magic ... you are an Italian land-owner, pipe in hand, strolling through your expansive country estate at dusk. A beautiful, understated, rare and upper-class potpourri of greatness. Never run out.

Just received my package and what beautiful craft. i can smell bitter citrus in the opening and as it settles it shows more depth and color. Wait a minute!! What?!! i can get a hint of aventus opening here or maybe my nose is acting funny. but this is a beautifully crafted scent in a low quality bottle. i should not be complaining coz the juice is amazing and i am smiling ear to ear :D :D

Old school, potent, spicy and very lovely. The tobacco note is not as clear as, say, Remy Latour Cigar because it is blended in more with the oakmoss. Lasts and projects extremely well and has a spicy and soapy dry down. The new bottle is an opaque black matt glass (not like the one shown above). A very masculine and a gorgeous fragrance and one of the nicest spicy/woody scents ever!

Wow, missing this fragrance every day...it was one of my first great childhood loves together with eau Sauvage from Dior (which is horrible lemon water after the reformulation). Sooo sad they have discontinued Gianfranco for men, because in my opinion it was a stunning perfume and I have never encountered anything like it... Sadly the prices on the internet are ridiculous.

Opens with a slightly bitter green note that felt off-putting at first, but has grown on me considerably. This is high-level perfumery. It’s elegant and refined. It has a woody aromatic character, with a subtle hint of carnation that is beautifully balanced and never overpowering. A true masterpiece. That said, the performance of my batch leaves something to be desired.

First version splash edt. A magnificent scent which doesn't seem to fit into any fashion from the last 40 years. It makes me think of ancient times: a bracing, herbal elixir which alerts the nostrils with a strong, yet fluid, tangle of roots, beautifully softened with flowers and mandarin. The smells from a pungent Roman garden. Natural but very suave too.

Tobacco leaves infused with orange and lemon peels including cottony bitter pith, charred woods, spices, dusty florals and sprinkled lightly with some high quality Italian talc. A fragrance for a man who is refined and urbane with a definitive plan for his life. Enjoying a Negroni cocktail while wearing this beauty makes for a complete and fulfilled day.

great classic perfume that brings to mind other classics like Azzaro pour homme and Tsar (less).... obviously reformulated but still great. Highly recommended for those that like old type perfumes. Chypre, Sweet, manly and clean!

You can't see darkness unless you are light. Smart scent to my nose, how could you have all these dark notes yet feel so light!! I quess no one can understand, But Gianfranco Ferre did. Fougere for the nose who care.

Gorgeous Fougere and Chypre scent; can it get any better? Love the masculine notes; it starts citrusy, becomes herbal aromatic with floral notes and finishes leathery and mossy. Good Longevity and sillage! Thumbs up!

Exquisite, manly and sexy Italian fragrance. The citrus opening with the woody dry down is gorgeous. I love that it lasts more than 7 hours on me. Wore it to the office this morning and my co-workers love it.

This is an authentic gem. Quality is outstanding, and is perfectly blended. It's on the fougere side, but on the chypre too. Beside Bel Ami, the top of masculines fragrances. Bravo, Gianfranco!!!

Elegance is the word that comes to mind. It gives an aura of wealth like I'm a member of the 1% wealthiest people in the world! Very well blended indeed,very good performance,it takes me places!

This scent is constantly changing, together with great smell is the reason why this is a masterpiece, super-complex and nuances like no other scent I've tried, one of the best! 10/10

i really like this scent but have a problem with sillage & longevity...does anyone agree on this matter ? I get 2...3 hours and then it's almost completely gone...

Great cologne. I love the vintage woody colognes and this is the best one I've come across so far. It is masculine and great. I love the bottle too.

A brilliant spicy/soapy and well blended fragrance. One of the best spicy ones out there.

Does this one still exist? If it does, can't find it anywhere in Canada...

i love this fragance,it has a beautiful scent !!!!!

GFF fragrances are always top shelf. Gianfranco Ferre for Man is a supremely elegant gentleman's fragrance in a traditional style. Citrus overture, aromatics, a symphony of notes all redolent of luxury in a magnificent blend that feels characteristically Italian. Not to be confused with the more recent (and also, sadly discontinued) Ferre for Men. A lifelong fan of Gianfranco Ferre, I own Ferre suits, GFF sunglasses, and GFF couture as well as fragrances - the lesser known Pontaccio 21 is one of my favourites - just as stylish as GFF for Man but very different, predominantly aromatic. As for GFF Man, the bottle I have was manufactured by Diana de Silva but feels different to how I remember GFF Man in my memory - my flatmate used to wear this 20 years ago and I would've smelled it almost daily for years - maybe it's something to do with how it performed on his skin compared to how it performs on mine ? Some fragrances are indelibly etched into memory and transport the wearer to a time and place: Antaeus and Kouros, the first fragrances I ever owned, proudly bought with money earned working weekends while finishing high school, (paradoxically) remind me of youth and inexperience; Xeryus, Tuscany and the original Polo remind me of friends in Paris in the halcyon Summer of 1988; Egoïste - the best years of my life; Eau Sauvage - success (and weddings) and so on ... sometimes it's challenging revisiting fragrances that are so firmly enshrined in memory in case the new fails to meet the expectations of the old. GFF for Man reminds me of happier days but this seems different to how I remember it - possibly because my friend was a young man and I am now a man of a certain age and uncertain health facing mortality, for whom youth is but a memory. Still, a classy fragrance ... and it is similar to Open Black. One of the pitfalls of an online community like Fragrantica is that pages can become a shrine or a fan club rather than a forum or a source of information. There’s nothing wrong with hyperbole so long as it’s well-articulated and explained, but hyperbole without context is meaningless - of no more value than the delusional ravings of a fanatic. Postscript ANYTHING applied to the skin can be absorbed transdermally, enter the bloodstream and - depending on its molecular structure - cross the blood-brain barrier into the brain. For example, we put nicotine patches and fentanyl patches on our skin but the nicotine and fentanyl end up in our brains. A water molecule is too big to penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, but the same does not apply to many substances used in perfumery. Which is why perfume safety matters. IFRA is not just about restrictions on allergens and irritants like oakmoss and rose oil, it also prohibits its member companies from using (some) proven carcinogenic and neurotoxic substances like nitro-musks and musk xylene, powerful carcinogens that enter the bloodstream, accumulate in the body over time and cause health issues (like cancer) - but are still found in discontinued and vintage fragrances. Among other things, pre-IFRA vintage fragrances can LITERALLY give you cancer, brain damage and endocrine disease The narrative about IFRA taking action against allergens and irritants is PR spin - to camouflage the fact that designer perfumes once contained poisons that can kill you. I accept the risk and still regularly wear vintage pre-IFRA fragrances, for the same reasons I still enjoy smoking a Panatella or the occasional pipe of Cherry Cavendish and drinking real absinthe. There are still countless toxic substances used in commercial perfume (including at least a dozen confirmed carcinogens), and to this day IFRA members skirt accountability by describing their concentrate as “fragrance” instead of listing ingredients. IFRA *is* the commercial perfume industry - the restrictions are about protecting the industry and its market by anticipating consumer safety issues - because for any company self-regulation is preferable to external regulation. And à propos of nothing in particular, as the name "International Fragrance Association" implies, IFRA was created by the companies who make more than 90% of all commercial fragrance ("Big Perfume") collaborating to secure their market and maximise profits through self-regulation. It's the textbook definition of a cartel. Nothing whatsoever to do with any government, regulatory body, or non-existent "Marxist cancel culture". IFRA was created as a response to research by the US National Academy of Science that found commercial designer perfumes to contain hazardous substances - cytotoxins, neurotoxins, and carcinogens, among others. The main purpose of IFRA is public relations - to control the narrative, to prevent negative publicity, keep harmful substances out of designer perfumes, reassure the public and to sell as much designer perfume to as many people as possible. In the real world it's called capitalism. But IFRA restrictions only apply to IFRA members, manufacturers of mass market designer perfumes. Thanks to the free market, those of us who enjoy oakmoss and other restricted ingredients can still enjoy fragrances containing them by supporting niche, independent perfumery

Pleasant, somewhat my territory on the horizon of Bogart and others operating with aged greenery. Needs to be compared to 1881, Lauder, Lippizan in terms of longevity and profile. At first glance, it’s more intense than 1881. On paper, there’s something slightly animalic, unlike the others. Exceptionally dry stuff, noticeable moss. It’s wearable but more aged than Lauder, unfortunately closer to Bogart itself and that type of greenery — it romances with it, not necessarily with any groundbreaking fusion. ⸻ It’s probably darker than Lauder... yes, on skin it becomes appropriately creamy and challenges its own aged nature, even adding some darker chocolaty notes, maybe like Passion by Taylor, or even Balenciaga Pour Homme. So, I give credit, but also strongly separate it from Lauder, because it’s indeed darker, almost gourmand, if it weren’t still a bubbly (more in the background than Acteur?) fougère. Only now does the connection with vintage Paco Pour Homme become visible, making it an option for a signature, a very good masculine scent.

CARNATION IN YOUR FACE. Ok so, carnation really dates Gianfranco Ferre for Man but I tend to be more forgiving of it in male fragrances. This fragrance is thick, bitter and almost has an oily quality to it at first. The lavender is very herbal, but not sharp. It actually mellows quite a bit at drydown and gets a slight sweetness from the fig leaf. It also seems to get more powdery as time passes. Vetiver, tobacco and sage stand out to me the most after the fierce carnation opening. The end stage of Gianfranco Ferre for Men is simultaneously soapy, dirty and sweetly aromatic.

I really enjoy this classic masculine scent. To my nose, other similar fragrances would be Aramis Havana and Montana Parfum d'Homme, and I love both of those as well. Hopefully, my wife feels the same way when she puts her nose on it. UPDATE: My wife didn't care for this, but I did notice this one seems to dry down into a rather powdery scent, and that is not the case with Havana and Montana Parfum d'Homme which I mentioned above. My wife is not a fan of the scents that dry down into a powdery vibe.

Interesting retro fragrance, quite a masterpiece really. Impossible to find at popular stores in Europe or Airports. La rive Brutal intense is a nice substitute for 7 EUR. Quorum by Antonio Puig is in a same vibe also. Owning a chepie from La Rive makes this redundant. Everyone who owns the old bottle of this must be sniffing it a lot as it must have been heaven back in the days.

This is a very pleasant classic fougère that places somewhere upper midland in the category for me; slightly clean/soapy, slightly powdery, mossy, and clearly leans masculine. Performance is good and prices are still reasonable. (IMO, this smells like a lighter version of V.I.P Special Reserve by Giorgio Beverly Hills, if that helps.)

GFFM is a great example of an age old fragrance that is far superior to the excessively sweet and aqua fragrances of today. It would be grand if some of the current youth would take to this rather than the money grab fragrances that the industry keeps churning out..