L'Arte di Gucci

Revised- I should have revised this as soon as I acquired some which had been properly stored. It is as I had hoped- smooth true rose, rich dense animalic unique beautiful. I left my old review intact below. OK, this is frustrating and I'm still trying to figure this one out. I've never smelled this back when it was in production, and after reading about it, I knew it was just my kind of perfume. I got my bottle today and I tried it on. I was first off told that it didn't smell good- as if it had broken down and the components were coming apart (my spouses description- not mine)! I know it should be rich dense with an aniimallic quality that some don't like, but I don't know if that is what I'm detecting. I love animallic and this strikes me as something wrong. It is what I can so far only describe as either an over ripe fruit note- similar to but not as dominant as the one I smell in my possibly too old bottle of Oleg Cassini Cassini. The thing is I know these were both in a similar vein when they were new and fresh so I don't know if the similar unpleasant note is just how they both smell when they deteriorate, or if it is how they both are supposed to smell, or if it's unrelated in origin. The note faded in proportion to the rest of the scent when I wiped some of it away with a bit of oil. I'll have to test it again. Incidentally, nothing I did reduced the presence of the over ripe cantaloupe note in proportion to the rest of the fragrance with regard to the Cassini- I could just not get around that note, it took over the blend. On the other hand, with L'Art,I can smell the beauty of the fragrance around the off note- I can tell that I could love it and I just wish I could totally erase that note, but that note may be integral to the blend. Oh well- I wish I'd discovered this sooner so I could have smelled it when it was fresh!

The Italian-style rose, the advancement of Gucci No.3, is the prototype of today's Niche rose fragrance. Outstanding descendants such as Frederic Une Rose, Portrait of a Lady... and so on, all have part of the gene of L'Arte di Gucci. In fact, the fiasco of L'Arte di Gucci is not without a trace. Obviously, people at the time no longer valued fragrance, no longer appreciated the complex beauty of the old days, and instead pursued new fragrances that were simple and light. L'Arte di Gucci smells to me, it's a bright, sweet and rich floral and fruity fragrance, more ripe and round than No.3. I totally agree with a netizen comment. In the morning, you can wear Gucci no.3, and at night, it must be L'Arte di Gucci moment. Structural standard, the materials used are better than No.3 in 1985. Peach aldehyde, then oakmoss around rose, geranium (peach aldehyde refers to Guerlain Nahema and Mitsouko, damascenone refers to Chanel Coco) and Tagetes on a civet base. The leather barely smells. In addition, the lack of details is what I think is the most regrettable thing about this perfume. A plump, thick, honey-flavored patchouli chypre with powdered beeswax. It is mellow and soft, and it really feels like mixed with natural rose oil, which is fragrant. Luxurious, good-smelling, and a favorite fragrance for most noses. Guerlain Parure in 1975, Estée Lauder knowing in 1988... From 1980 to 1990, the chypre rose can be found. L'Arte di Gucci is a charming lady. Serge lutens Rose de nuit is L'Arte di Gucci intensifying animal sensibilities. EDT is not much different from EDP. The white flowers of EDP are prominent, and the fragrance is better and diffused better, and the attributes are closer to the oriental floral fragrance. I like EDT, the chypre features are obvious.

I love Dark Rose fragrances - the ones that focus on deeper/spicier/more interesting facets of rose - so I had to test L'arte. I bought a tiny edp splash bottle, and immediately loved it. The top notes (aldehydes, berry, green notes and a very hissy cassis bud) are immediately glamorous and almost overwhelming, although much less so when dabbed rather than sprayed. The heart of the fragrances is rose. Don't be fooled by the long list of floral notes; most of them are there to round out and soften the rose and geranium. This rose lolls luxuriously, seductively, on a mossy bed. The drydown is sensuous and deep, and the best olfactory description of "bittersweet" I've ever smelled. It smells like the beginning of autumn, following the best summer of your life... or time for Cinderella to leave the ball. It is simply gorgeous, and quite sensual. I prefer to decant it into a roll-on bottle (I went straight out and bought two large bottles of the edp; it's nearly impossible to find now), since it can be a bit harsh in the first ten minutes when sprayed, containing a plasticky note that I don't care for, and which I don't smell at all when I dab. I'm sure that the recent restrictions on oakmoss were what killed L'arte di Gucci; it is crammed full of moss. Well, that and the fact that the current fashion in perfumery is for sweet and fruity scents, the polar opposite of the sophisticated L'arte. Shame. Chat Luna below is right, it is "intemperate" and slinky, and rather reminiscent of Ungaro Diva, which I also like and which might be easier to find at this point in time. But L'arte has a smolder, a smoky-eyed stare, that one rarely sees outside film noir. An amazing scent.

19. april 2011 HOLY GUCCI!!!! This one is a true Art of perfumery for me! I really treasure my every bottle (the edt's and edp's) of this discontinued beauty. For me this is one-of the kind perfume that is not made anymore nowdays! I wish i could have twice as more as i have of it now so it would last me a lifetime. Prepare to be noticed when you wear it, not everyone likes it and understands it nowdays (it IS a heavy smell and really bold), but you gonna feel yourself like a million-dollar lady! Pure sofistication and class! But this is strictly a cold time fragrance for me, i would kill anyone near me wearing this one at summertime. A LOT of roses and big jar of honey with some spices (coriander anyone?) and you will get an absolute ÜBERsexy, animalistic fragrance that is full of passion. It takes some nerve to wear it, but if you can handle it you won ́t regret. EDP is a lasting monster, lasts for over 24h on my skin and even longer on clothes. The EDT is amazing as well, but just a bit lighter (sillage is a bit weaker, but still very strong), but the scent is the same. More chypre in EDT but still over-the top honey rose! Use it with caution, do not overspray it or you might end up having a headache. 3-4 sprays are more than enough. But in general this is a true masterpiece and one of my most favorite and outstanding fragrances! All later Gucci edition don ́t even come close to this one! Truly THE BEST Gucci ever made for my personal taste. (Gucci nr 3 is amazing as well and is on the same level of quality)

The heartache of extinction in perfume is something many enthusiasts avoid, choosing rather to attach themselves to that which is still in the here and now. It's near masochism for those who are drawn by scents slowly slipping away with the sands of time—I have first hand experience. So many in my collection are long discontinued, and a certain frisson of melancholy overwhelms me when I realize I am torn between use and preservation. The obsolescence of perfume can bring a tear to my eye, and its especially bittersweet when its a remarkable release like that of L'Arte di Gucci, which spent only four short years on the market before its discontinuation. It begins as if a curtain is slowly drawn, and the light of aldehydes and sharp greens quickly illuminate the scene. The velvet rose emerges as dark space, bold and luxuriant, with some mystery. Bittersweet deep blue bourgeons de cassis and amber honey orbit the rose. There is a crescendo at the heart of L'Arte, a powerful, seductive quality. Within its resonance, there is a haunting refrain as the light dims and the curtains close. Opulent meets uncouth— something dirty just detectable. Do not fear, not all grace is lost, the castoreum-leather is subtle. The bed of moss is soft, inky, even a bit salty; the dry down is a lulling faint glow and some sexy whispers. It's among the most alluring rose chypres I've laid my nose on.

L'Arte di Gucci opens with the most beautiful rose note that I've encountered. Pure, singing, rich and deep. Just beautiful! After about 15 minutes the heart opens, bringing in a light LoV, warm narcissus, a touch of geranium, and soft, silky, breezy mimosa. The rose remains clear and true, but softens, leaving a wonderful scent trail. You know that saying about how little girls are made of everything nice? That's what L'Arte is made of. This scent is almost magical in its complexity and balance. In the dry down vetiver and leather appear, warming the scent, and grounding the airier florals which continue to move slowly forward. And that rose note, it remains perfectly balanced with the whole. I usually can't wear rose, but this is spectacular. On my skin it has the darkness of the rose absolu, with the spice and tang of the base, and the wonderfully light, almost fairy like supporting florals. Have you ever wondered what Morgan le Fae wore? Titania? Something like L'Arte, I'm sure. Gucci may call this art, but I call it magic in a bottle! You *must* try this- its phenomenal!

Wearing L'Arte today and boyfriend goes "Wow, you smell good". I agree. L'Arte is addictive and it doesn’t really remind me of anything else. Or it does, but it isn’t a fragrance. It reminds me of William Blake's “Songs of Innocence and Experience”. In L’Arte there is the same inherent duality. It's soul searching, yet takes no prisoners. Good and bad, young and old, guiltless and wise. It’s silky smooth, yet bold and has this incredibly textured feel to it. You can feel it and nearly taste it as well, when smelling it. It's almost edible. Elegant and poised, but warm at the same time. The rose in this gem is outrageously beautiful too and I hardly ever think so, since I find most roses to be a drag in perfumes. It’s a very dark, earthy rose. Not really gothic, but as the name suggests a piece of art from the asymmetri of the bottle to the nerve encapsulated in the scent itself. It's the juxtaposition of the chypre structure and the rose that casts a spell of some sort and L'Arte is indeed perfumed art in its purest form. L’Arte de Rose Absolu.

This has to be the most addictive concoction I have ever laid nose on! And discontinued! The lovely reviews of Mals86 and Chat Lunatique capture this perfume's spirit wonderfully. Rose is a rather difficult note for me, as it is usually either too powdery, or too acrid, or dangerously close to the smell of burnt plastic. But this! This is none of those, oh no, this is a thick, velvety, fleshy, moist, scorching red rose, dripped with desire. A rose that slowly starts darkening and wilting, from the edges to the core, under the song of forbidden whispers, touched by the spell of the loss. As a side note, although perhaps similar in structure to Paloma Picasso, Soir de Lune and Knowing, I do not find those perfumes good alternatives to L'Arte: on me Paloma Picasso screams with strong vetiver and musk, in Knowing - the prominent sandalwood eats up the beautiful rose, and Soir de Lune just seems to lack in depth compared to this one.

A mean green rose that shines like rippled light on patent leather, it's tender and soft too, with the subtlest sexiest skank running underneath like gleaming threads of gold. On me, I feel there is something animalic softly growling (or loudly purring?) in the base, but just retrained enough that it feels like the kind of secret recognizable to only the initiated. Everyone says this is a vulgar 80s power horse, but to me it's incredibly sleek, smooth and modern. Smoldering, opulent and dangerous and knowing exactly what she's doing and getting herself into, she's like that girl who has perfect delicate bone structure and looks good doing saying loving hating breaking EVERYTHING, roaring through the night. This is the most magical dirty rose of all time! Period. :-) And it is a crime that it was discontinued!!! I love you, L'Arte! Please come back!

If Explosive and Daddy Lutens' Rose de Nuit had a child, it would be this bxtch (forget the dates). Where Explosive's oakmoss turns sour on my skin, and Nuit smells like a cat has pissed on its rose, Gucci's L'Arte is balanced: rose comes to play, whipping its extraordinary large bloom out and on the table to impress all, followed by oakmoss oozing, and a VERY resinous labdanum creaming all over everything (think Teatro Alla Scala) . There is a bit of Aromatic Elixir's witch's brew in this cauldron, especially the chamomile-- but where as chamomile plays old on my skin usually, here it softens and seduces like the best chypres. I kept saying she is a bad bxtch as a I sprayed and sprayed and my feline ran far, far away, under the bed... Her annoyance only matched by mine at the prices of this discontinued fragrance. Worth it.

A vintage bossy rose-patchouli dame with an animalic touch. She's absolutely gorgeous. It's about time I got my curiosity for L'Arte over with. I'm relieved I only got a mini - not because there's anything wrong with the fragrance, but it would have been redundant for me to have this since I already have Fendi (1985), which I like for a dark, mean vintage rose. The rose is more forward in L'Arte, though, and has a sweetness to it. There are quite a few fragrances like L'Arte from that period of 80's to early 90's, but if you're lusting after this one, be sure you're ready for a heady rose wearing all black, with high cheekbones and a beckoning glare. Really a phenomenal dark rose I'd opt for during winter.

Personally I find all shypres very much alike due to their beloning to the class of elegant perfumes, being enjoyed by our mothers and eternally being in demand as natural ones - in the sense of ingredients and as genuine, classy and nostalgic perfumes. I hear men love fruity fragrances - that's it, they've got the point)). One man suggested me to test it as his favourite and waited for me to share my impression. L'Arte is a night scent for Grand special occasions, I'm sure it is unique and unforgettable. The woman who is to wear it will feel herself like in the protective envelope and very proud of her mastering it. Delight!

Some years ago, I found this online. I had never heard of it, but I was in the throes of Gucci Eau De Parfum (2002) so I decided to give it a try. Smart move. This is a gorgeous scent. Rich, seductive, very feminine. I get a lot of rose, but not a Victorian rose. A much more modern, assertive and dark kind. I also get leather, amber, orris and a bit of fruit (not the fruit punch variety, thank goodness). Since it has been sadly discontinued I wear it for special occasions. And it never fails to get me compliments, the best being "It smells so different, so unique" (yessssss!).

I blindly bought a random 3.4oz bottle of this at an antique store in Adamstown, PA for $18.00 (it was marked for $19.00, but since I was paying cash they took a dollar off)! A few months later I dropped it on my bathroom floor and it shattered. I cried(for a while)! I was already hooked. I searched obsessively on-line for a replacement bottle and finally bought one for $90.00....which is a great deal. I will never understand why this fragrance was discontinued. I will always be on the lookout for another bottle of this amazing 90's time piece.

Beautiful perfume! Chanel Cristalle with the rose, is what I smell here. It is like Chanel Cristalle and Versace Donna Versus had a child and named it Rose becaus she reminded them of her cousin Fredric Malle Portrait of a lady. Yes, for me this one is like a combination of those three iconic perfumes.Very unique. I do not gett any animalic notes her. Mainly rose,deep rose and chamomile on the patchouli-moss base. Yes,I smell mosse in here,like in Cristalle. I love it! Very potent and long lasting perfume,perfectly blended.

I wore it, when I was in 9th grade. I had a black mini. I loved it. It's very solid and warm. Very sexy chypre. EDP at first has a bit sharp (aldehyde) green notes with fruity notes that you won't find such in recent perfumes, then comes flowery base entangled with musky, leather and woody base. It has similar feel to honey through it too... It has old-fashioned feel to it- it's indeed like Soir de Lune and sister of Piguet's Bandit. I thought it was oriental perfume at time. Shame they discontinued it.

Now after a full year of living with this sad widow..I can assure you she is a good actress, she alluded you to her sad marriage.. and the sudden death of her husband.. acting in mischievousness to fool you to belleive that SHE poisoned him... she is a bad wicked bitch/witch. Nobody could creat emotions in encounters like this bitch/witch/widow..harming the OTHER for her was a way of comunicating with the world, if a scorpion will be able to act nicely for longer than 30 seconds..she will be

Absolutely the BEST rose I've ever smelled.....and I have smelled a lot in my life. This to me screams class, elegance, and sophistication....think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany's and you're close. It can be quite strong so exercise caution. One little dab with do. It can be quite pricey, if you can find it but totally worth every pretty penny and more. Overall, a hands-down, knock-em-out-the-park perfume. Long Live the House of Gucci.

Having it and loving it, again. Beautiful floral chypre, classy notes and very lasting. It is Lady's perfume. Opulent floral, well blend, not sweet and hard to fond. In a style of Pamela Picasso for those who never tried it before. Bought my first bottle in San Marino, small country in the middle of Italy, in 94; enjoyed every drop of it. Today got another one, thanks to one member's referral, it is as good as I remember it, very lasting EDT.

fantastic, elegant, sophisticated. that's how i can describe this fragrance, very hard to find now. the notes are blended in a smooth, fine, intelligent way..the rose, the oakmoss, the leather...the rose inside this scent is one of the best ever. if u find grab it, your man will be so happy to smell on you. the packaging is great! profumo eccezionale, senza parole. my vote:9 in one word: art