Spectacular

Spectacular doesn’t have the ba ba boom factor you’d expect from the alter ego of Alexis. Instead, it is Alexis, just with the fur off and the negligee on. It’s Alexis by night; once the clothes come off, it’s time for seduction. Spectacular, for me and on my skin, falls in the realm of Passion, Occur, the first Versace from 81..meaning it has the same opulence, the same animalic floralcy, but a bit dialed down. While I believe Alexis would wear a heavy night time fragrance during the day, at home it seems fitting she would wear something as equally sensual but less intense. Don’t get me wrong, Spectacular is intense and heavy and heady, and I own a 1989 edt. But the aldehyde cloud that surrounds the most prominent gardenia, surrounded by a silky peach, tames the beast. The flowers are hard to pinpoint, the gardenia steals the show and only allows the incense to make a statement. That, and an unmistakeable civet that never stops roaring. It’s like the day counterpart of Passion. Was it trying to imitate it? Underneath it all though, there’s a gentle green streak that gives a powdered and chypre feel to the fragrance. While it’s heady, sensual, floral and highly animalic, it does so in morning attire. It’s not a gold lamé dress covered by an exotic fur, it’s more like a hot pink ensemble, with black lace underwear and silk stockings. What Alexis (again) would wear to the office on any given Monday. Is it Joan? Is it Alexis? It’s hard to tell, given that depending on the persona, one would feel it’s both and neither. One thing’s for sure, it’s an 80’s child thru and thru; a powdered floral with a classic feel, an assertive chypre with enough drama to fuel a soap opera and a sexy animalic light oriental with enough pizzazz to compete with anything from La Nuit to Fendi passing through Opium. So, for me, this is Joan Collins/Alexis Carrington Colby to a T. She’s just showing us her ‘delicate’ iron clad side. Spectacular sillage and longevity, as would be expected! Edit: the more I wear it, the more I smell a crossover between Passion and Occur. Simply...spectacular!

04. november 2012 Many thanks for finally adding this one to the database! I have this one both in pure parfum and EDT version and i have managed to wear parfum only by far. Oh my! I had a feeling it sould be good, however i had my doubts, but i didn ́t expect it to be THAT good. I don ́t know which concentration the previous user reviewed BUT this is massive white floral with huge tuberose and gardenia, but it also has an amazing dry leathery undertone. All that is bathing in a sea of civet in the drydown. Magnificent! I think this is very Joan Collins as you would expect it to be based on her most memorable character Alexis from Dynasty! This perfume makes a statement and is bold. Let me say, that though it reminds me a lot of Poison original, but it is not quite the same, it is less heavier but true to 80 ́s spirit. And it lasts for almost 20hrs one drop of perfume. The drydown is all about leather and civet, simply spectacular! Somehow the drydown reminds me of "La nuit" by Paco Rabanne, however again softer, not that überstrong animalistic note. Those of you, who like bold fragrances will like this one as well. I have enjoyed every minute while wearing this fragrance, it will not give you nausea, but it will surely make you very noticable from the rest of the crowd. A big love from me! Highly recommended.

I agree with the review below. Civet is not powdery and aldehydic as Spectacular or as bombastic. Civet purrs, Spectacular roars! This is much closer to fragrances like Elizabeth Taylors Passion or Givenchy Ysatis, or Elizabeth Arden's Red Door. Waxy florals that burn and melt like candle wax under flame. This smells like beautiful mature women of the 20th century in their finest clothes, leather gloves, jewels and furs going to Catholic Mass and then later that evening going out on the town w/ a handsome and rich husband. The mingling perfumes of fire, incense, melted candle wax and various 20th century floral aldehydic, chypre, and floral amber perfumes, and the scent of fine leather gloves, purses and fur coats creating a cloud of perfume that is offered up to the heavens as a prayer. It is a thing of beauty, like a piece of fossilized amber found in a remote land. From another time, a time barely remembered by many and never lived by most today. If you want to understand the decadence the richness and the absolute glamour of the 20th century, get your nose on this fragrance.

If anyone expects this fragrance to reflect the villainous character Joan Collins played on a primetime soap opera, they'd be in for a big surprise as there's nothing scandalous here. This is womanly, luxurious, classy, distinct, and very high quality. This beautiful perfume is more in line with designer brands like Chanel, Givenchy, and Dior, than other celebrity perfumes of the day. I am really astonished with how well made it is. A true floral aldehyde that is chockful of top-quality ingredients masterfully blended. The note profile is very similar to Giorgio, though it smells nothing like that. Giorgio lacks the animalic notes so well done here. Overall, I'm really surprised that this is not better known. It is a true standout even among fragrances of that time. It really is Spectacular! Oh, and that dry down ... sigh!

Extreme high quality. Animalic, bold, brave like a declaration of real love. Civet is strong but surprisingly not pungent at all, gives a glmourous vibe to everyone who wears it. Tuberose is to die for here. Forget about white florals from nowadays...here you can find NATURAL white florals, nothing chemical, nothing unusual, just like a huge garden. I also feel a peach vibe and and patchouli, among the incense on the base, civet , amber, rose and a high quality leather. Definitely a niche recipe and the ingredients smells so natural, nothing chemical in it. The esprit de parfum is a really sillage and projection monster. The longevity is until the next day. Stunning! 9.5 out of 10