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.

One of the most beautiful fragrances ever created. It should be unisex, but to me it is clearly feminine. It is beautifully sweet, spicy and herbal, really unique. The intoxicating wonderful scent of tangerines, plums, jasmine spiced with pink and black pepper and incense based on leather and patchouli. A charming and unique composition. Beautiful and delicate, sweet, herbal chypre. I also bought a perfumed body cream to intensify the scent and durability. The scent is simply STUNNING and very French. Different from today's regular fragrances. Using this, I can be sure that I won't meet anyone who smells like me. I am absolutely in love with the Grés perfume house and I feel like it really doesn't get enough attention. Their perfumes are much more refined, more original than the mainstream that is being pushed at us from all shops.

Just got this as a blind buy. What a GEM! It's crazy a perfume this quality can cost 25$, when it's completely comparable to a 250$ one. I bought it expecting something in the vibe of Bottega Venetta original or Sensuous Nude by Estee Lauder, but it's less leathery and sweeter on my skin. The heart reminds me a lot of Guerlain Cuir Beluga, if you're looking for a cheaper alternative for CB. CB is obviously more sweet and vanillic, while Piece Unique is drier and a little more musky. The opening is very peppery but it goes away after 15 minutes. Lalique de Lalique also comes to mind. Overall great quality, a good sweet amber plum and a musk patchouli drydown. I don't smell the jasmine.

A quiet winner in a really baffling bottle. Looks like Offred in Handmaid's Tale. Do I spray as-is, or am I supposed to remove the ribbon and use the cap in the usual way? No matter; this smells AMAZING, was not expecting that!! The on-skin vs. scent cloud phenomenon mentioned by others is REAL, guys! Plum, angelica, artemisia, clementine, and musk are favorites of mine so this is easy for me to like. Pièce Unique does not smell bitter to me but it's definitely dry. Dune, Diamonds en Rouge, and others come to mind. I'd class this with "modern Chypres." There's the citrus and patchouli + musk & toss in an herb or two formula. It shares something with Chloe Nomade.

Grès Pièce Unique is a blind purchase that I chose based on the comments on this forum. The first time it seemed too sharp and the purchase felt like a disappointment. The bottle sat in the cupboard for a long time. A week ago I decided to look at it again. And now I am absolutely enchanted. This is a masterpiece, infinitely beautiful and multi-hued, standing out from the crowd. I'm always looking for more. It's an interesting mix of edginess, sweetness and herbaceousness, without being overpowering at any point. Don't be afraid of the leather, it's just a hint at the bottom. This is elegant, sexy and unimaginably cheap.

@monochromatism Since not very many people tested or had Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours, the striking similarity with Gres Piece Unique is the story to tell. Because they are incredibly alike. I owned and still own Eau de Velours and whilst Rihanna's Rogue, although sweeter, is a good substitude for the original Bottega Veneta to me personally, I never smelled anything like Velours until I got my hands on Piece Unique. It is same peppery plum in the suede packaging, fruity, spicy, tarty and very confident. Hugely underrated fragrance, interestingly enough, it was created few years before Velours was made.

What in the bay leaves and allspice is this?, at first sniff I was completely puzzled and ready to resell this. It reminded me of meat soap broth and the smell your clothes catch from a steak-serving restaurant. Wait 30 minutes and... Transformation, evolution, transmutation✨ And there I was, confronted by this inky, powdery, gently sugared treat. Somehow earthy and polished at the same time. Goes straight into the "je ne sais quoi - signature worthy - hidden gem"-category of fragrance. Get this if you're ready to be swept off ur feet!

Spicy-peppery yet ethereal scent, with an emphasis on suede and musk. The plum creates an autumn mood and adds depth without becoming syrupy. I can also feel the incense and wormwood. On me, it has a soft sillage, my husband has to hug me to feel it, which suits me - I don't need my scent to be loud. I wish it lasted longer, but with my skin chemistry, it disappears within about 2 hours. On clothes, however, it lasts almost all day long.

This is such a beautiful scent. It's dark, peppery and spicy with an aniseed kick to it. It's very similar to Amouage Epic - which is a real masterpiece, but costs an arm and a leg. Piece Unique is gorgeous but relatively short lived. It's definitely a scent for cooler weather. Let's talk about the bottle - no idea what they were thinking! This is a moody, mysterious and dark scent which doesn't fit with the bottle at all.

Spicy-sweet, herbal patchouli, and for the 15$ I paid for it, an absolute steal. I haven't tried Epic, so I can't comment on the similarities, but it does remind me of YSL Elle - though I do like this one much better, it really could pass as a niche scent and be sold for 10x the price. In my opinion, it's right up there with Lalique - Encre Noire in terms of price/quality ratio. A hidden gem.

This is a very special fragrance offering from the house of Gres, a hidden gem with niche quality as others have already stated... It does resemble Amouage Epic in the dry-down. It is amazingly spicy in the opening, it evolves nicely (it’s not linear at all which makes this fragrance a great buy), not sweet, very subtle, with a pinch of incense and musk. Grab it if you can find it...

What a beautiful composition in an elegant bottle! Tender and gently spiced, like a Christmas gingerbread. To my nose, it's almost a twin brother to Furiosa by Fendi, perhaps a bit less peppery. Also less long-lasting, unfortunately. But given the affordable price, you can double the dose without too much remorse.

Woody, spicy, plummy goodness! Mimics Organza Indecence on both my skin and that of my best male friend, after about 5 minutes of straight amber. The only thing missing that would make it completely identical, is the cuddly vanilla. Still completely gorgeous. And half the price.

I loved it. But on my skin and clothes it won't last longer than 1 and 1/2 hours. However it's a masterpiece. What a pity the didn't make any stronger.

Layered this with Monotheme's Patchouli Leaves and I'm gnna ride my bike to work because I can't be this hot on public transportation!!

Also layered this w SJP's Lovely and they blend so well