Background

The effervescence of Background, redolent in bittersweet tarragon, cool lavender, and billowy heliotrope, is the flâneur of fragrances. It's blissfully detached, a dreamer, leaning into philosophy to guide itself through the world. It has autonomy within its world, having been released in 1993 but evoking another time, an anomaly that was met with its inevitable demise, but was treasured by those who were familiar with it. There are echoes of Dana Canoe, though less powdery; echoes of Blue Grass, yet less floral. It wanders in between the spaces of concrete that define fragrance. An aniseed builds up in its heart, a raspberry rose following not long after, with a phrase almost reminiscent of Nivea cream, and a warm benzoin-forward amber accord at its base. What a conundrum this Background is, confounding but so wonderful. It's a riddle that may not need to be solved, it's just there for you to ponder and wonder: absolutely brilliant.

I completed my B. S. and went to Europe after graduation. I tried so many 'new' fragrances at the duty free shop - none that were available in U.S. of course! In Hamburg, the sales representative became frustrated as it was close to flight time and coerced me to get Jil Sander since I kept telling her none are as sumptuous. The shape and color of the bottle were also so original except the name 'Background' was not labeled like the bottle displayed. I savored the bottle long after it was empty. It was so distinctive and pleasurable. I purchased it in 1980's not 1993, Was this fragrance ever marketed in the U.S.?

@caprilyic If you experienced "laughably bad performance," you don't have the real stuff. As you can see from the folks who rated this, the strength and longevity averaged out to Strong and Long-lasting. I've been wearing it for 6 hours today and it's just as strong as when I sprayed it. Beautiful, beautiful juice. And it'll likely go for another 4 or so. And I've only got 3 sprays of it on my forearm.

@alphairone I was glad to see you mention echoes of Canoe because that's what registered with me immediately when I first smelled it. It must be the heliotrope. Spectacular stuff. It was also great to discover someone on eBay a few years back unloading bottles of the vintage juice for a song.

One of the fragrances I miss the most. The best Jil Sander for men ever. A warm green/purple vibe that was very unique. Why can't the best stuff last forever? 10/10