Pièce Unique

This is one of the most beautiful fragrances I’ve ever smelled. It’s delicate, mysterious and wild all at once. The first time I tried it, straight out of the box, I got an overwhelming barnyard smell, straight up like manure. Don’t write it off if you get that the first time, when I tried it again a few wells later it was absolutely stunning. Fragrances often need some time to settle after the first use, and this is one of them. The imago in my mind when I wear that is off a woman in a classic novel. She’s like the typical Jane Austen heroine type, a beauty a La Keira Knightley in a crisp white dress. The girl who’s gorgeous and elegant, but doesn’t quite fit in entirely. She’s reserved yet somewhat wild for the time. The kind that runs barefoot through a meadow, cheeky strands of hair peeking out from under her bonnet. It makes me think of that scene from Lady Chatterly’s lover, where they both undress and chase each other naked in the rain. It’s both beautiful and melancholy. I see people calling it dark, but to me it’s not really dark. It’s more.. stormy, or rainy.. emotional and melancholy rather than sultry or sensual. At the same time it has a lightness. It’s rainy, but a summer or early fall rain. It’s the kind of rain that makes you want to dance in it rather than hide inside and cuddle up. And even though you’re dancing in the rain, and running barefoot through the grass, there’s still this Jane Austen novel kind of elegance. The kind of elegance that feels like it’s from another era, but is entirely timeless at the same time. This fragrance is so nostalgic and melancholy it almost hurts. The only other fragrance that invokes such strong emotions in me is Mitsouko.. what a gem! I personally like the bottle and think it suits the fragrance in it’s strangeness. Like other commenters have said it really does look like Offred from the handmaid’s tale. I have not watched the series but have read the book and loves it. Like Jane Austen’s heroine (who happens to also wear a bonnet in my mind) Offred is the rebellious woman who’s also still conforming to the societal norms of her time. Written as a form of science fiction in a different era the novel too feels frozen in time yet timeless at the same time. Idk I feel like it fits in a weird way. It also makes me think of the song You look like Rain by Morphine. Anyway I’m aware I have said absolutely nothing that actually describes the scent itself.. I’ll leave a review doing that when I’m actually wearing it :)

Gres has been an integral part of my journey into perfume obsession. While not the most sophisticated or "high-end" brand in my collection, many of their fragrances make for excellent daily wear and are generally inoffensive, olfactory mood-enhancers. Piece Unique is an important addition to the perfumery's line-up, filling the niche (the now-defunct) Cabaret once did. This blend is indeed unique and alluring. It paints a mental image in my mind of a suggestive glance from a sultry 1920s film star --silent, but expressive and promising. Piece Unique can be interpreted many ways; to me it is very sexy and provocative in an understated way. It contains some of the DNA of Cabaret, my former signature scent, if Cabaret had continued to evolve and become more sophisticated. On principle, I think this one has to make it to my top five. Piece Unique is a scent that tells stories, one that can probably cross multiple genres. For the price, it is worth trying. If you like suede, leather, incense, and peppery scents, but don't want to drown in their heaviness, you may love this one. Moderate sillage and longevity. Safe for the office in moderation; apply more for the bedroom. Overall rating so far: 9/10

Nobody is perfect so sometimes even Fragrantica gets some misinformation on fragrances, case in point Piece Unique by Gres. I have an original vial sample on it's original card and this is NOT a unisex scent at all. It is for women. In fact the copy on the card says, and I quote "Piece Unique is the fragrance standing for Gres' ultimate pursuit: the search for the ideal dress. A figure hugging work of art. Ingredients; Mandarin, Pink pepper, jasmine, davana, suede leather accords, white musk.." I actually smell all those notes in it and find it spicy, sexy, classy yet fun. It's a sophisticated scent that can be had for a steal and makes a statement. The suede accord makes me envision a very elegant and stunningly beautiful woman in an exquisite gown, figure hugging as described, in a soft creamy color sort of like the box for this perfume only a little paler, sitting on a plush champagne colored suede tufted couch in a the lobby of a 5 star hotel waiting for her date which is likely some dignitary or mogul. It's a beautiful fragrance that can't be carried off by everyone.

This perfume is beautiful. It and Madame Gres particularly embody for me the best qualities of the House. Refined, elegant, understated, original, and consistently high quality. The opening of Piece Unique is peppery orange that is immediately tempered by very pretty musk. I also get a strong sandalwood that could be the incense, which is not burned. The plum adds depth and interest. I detect it and the orange throughout. The suede is distinct but soft and the drydown is lovely, powdery, sweet musk. It’s not listed, but I also get very light vanilla. The patchouli is a rich supporting player, not noticeable except for its effect. Longevity is 10+ hours if I overspray and radiates about arm’s length. I really love this one! It may not be groundbreaking or earth-shattering in the way that those terms are most often applied, but I don’t have anything that smells like Piece Unique and as these qualities become ever more rare, I think that refinement, understatement, elegance, originality, and high quality can be groundbreaking in their own right.

This fragrance is for men and women. What I find interesting about this fragrance is that it contains Davana. Davana is a herb grown in India. Every day the flowering blooms are offered at the altar of Shiva and every evening they are removed. The blooms are then dried for a week and an oil is produced using steam distillation. The uniqueness of Davana is that it smells different on every person. It can be woody, floral, spicy, green, balsamic or a mixture of some or all. When Davana is added to perfume it imparts a blackcurrant note with an undertone of hay and a fruity, slight tobacco aroma. With the added notes of Citrus, herbal Angelica, Pepper, Jasmine, Plum and a sultry base of Musk, Suede, Incense and Patchouli. It produces something quite opulent that can be worn by either sex. It was Madame Gres's quest in her lifetime to produce something truly unique for each and every person. I think House Gres may have come close in perfecting that quest in rememberance of her.