Fêtes Persanes

Oof - SOOOOOO good! The mention of Theorema below was enough for me to go hunting for a decant of this (it's abominably dear and I'll never, ever own a full bottle.) In fact it doesn't fulfil the mission of being a Theorema replacement, but it's certainly in the same heavenly ballpark, and in some ways even more interesting. Also conjures a few memories of Parfum d'Empire Aziyade and of Tom Ford Plum Japonais, which is no mean feat either. It's an elaborate, sweet yet sophisticated, spicy-vanilla-citrus with an unusually floral and femme aura for something so loaded with cinnamon and cloves. The melding of citrus and warm, brown spices does something really intriguing in the middle, almost morphing into something else again to hint strongly at plums or cherries or stone fruit, but without ever getting *too* fruity. There's an odd, fresher/greener note up top, almost minty (the camphorous top end of cloves, maybe?), which seems a bit out of place and threatens to spoil things, but in the end it does no damage at all. Overall maybe one tiny bit too conventional to sweep me away on a magic carpet to lands of myth like Aziyade, or to make me feel like a couture-clad millionairess like Theorema does, but it's still a very classy courtesan indeed. (Still, wouldn't some spikier pepper or other weird-beard, more unusual spices make it absolutely transcendental?) It's just so impressive - not even a hint of the sweat, musk or butchness which can sneak in when this sort of mix goes awry. Fetes Persanes, like some glorious swirling parade, never puts a foot wrong and carries on being its gorgeous self, if you're willing to get into the swing of the party. The only drawback: its cavalcade of beauty does sweep past you a little too fast; the enveloping swirl of its full-colour opening lasts only for 2-3h and the skin scent which lingers on, up to 8h, is far far more discreet (but no less lovely). Unisex, skewing slightly sweet/feminine. Its jewelled colours survive a little longer on fabrics but for the astronomical price it would need to be NUCLEAR for me to consider it as a real-world proposition. I'll be keeping my precious 5ml for the days when only real beauty will do to dispel low mood or winter gloom. It's good enough to whisk you to a better place.

Fêtes Persanes. "Persian Feast", indeed. To me, it is a barely sweetend gourmand vanilla perfume, accented by a gentle assortment of baking spices. Maybe a teeeny, tiny drop of wood in the background. It does in fact smell like the insides of my grandmothers wooden cupboard where she kept all her spices for baking... Except, you know, wearable. Nothing compels me to hand my money over faster than gourmand vanilla, cardamom and cloves. Evidence: Tihota, Lune Feline, Musc Ravageur, Intoxicated... With the exception of Tihota (Tihota will always be Tihota), I vastly prefer Fêtes Persanes to any of the above. Longevity is truly stellar, and lasts for days when sprayed on clothes. Sillage is moderate to low. I'm buying Fêtes Persanes as we speak. It's perfect for me and a true pleasure to wear.

This is a delight. A spicy delight. It's a masterclass in black and pink pepper, both grainy, sharply seasoned and oddly sweet. The under body is a creamy wooded deck slightly exposed and dry with Cardamom, well worn. It's an absolute spice bazaar of a thing. Has the restraint and sophistication you'd expect from this brand, but it's not 'pretty' in that sense. It's the perfumer showcasing all the little facets of these spices without being heavy handed with them as they so easily could be. I found it a revelation considering it was one I hadn't tried and wasn't really aware of. If you like spices, this is incredibly accomplished use of them. Rare that I write a review from first sniffing, update to come once I wear it.

A great spicy, vanilla amber from one of my favourite perfumers. Similar to Tango by masque milano and ivory route by xerjoff, but brighter. Smells amazing but it doesn’t project at all. I wear this to bed and when I’m lounging around the house and it makes me incredibly happy. But for the price (I had to get it with the bust cause that’s all that was left), it’s not worth it. But if you can find it without the bust, def pick it up. Beautiful amber but not incredibly unique. I don’t generally gravitate towards vanilla as a note, but there’s a specific vanilla material that is absolutely stunning and this has it. Definitely not vanillin or ethyl vanillin. It’s a beauty for sure.

Oh wow this is divine! Instantly floored by this, so warm, exotic, the spices all muted yet rich with sweet rose and vanilla. And I'm finding it really unique too, have not smelled anything like it except surprisingly it reminds me a little of an old Diptique, the Eau? Perhaps SL Rousse? It's not as pungent or oily as many of the older orientals with spicey dominance. Gorgeous, gorgeous gorgeous. Incredibly sensual and dreamy. Ten stars.

Just as followup to my previous review - what I love most about this fragrance is that while being very spicy, it never becomes a curry dish, something I often encounter with other fragrances in the same category that are heavy on spice. This one still smells like perfume! Today I ordered a Silk Road flacon of this wonderful fragrance (as depicted in the Fragrantica image).

MDCI's take on Spicebomb; has to be. Smells great! More refined and polished than the Viktor & Rolf, but I'm attached to the V&R and may prefer the slightly heavier hand in that one. Imagine a polished Spicebomb, a bit lighter, leaning a tad more feminine. Good stuff.

Andregooren's review is spot on. This is a beautiful fragrance, and my favorite from MDCI. Beautiful spicy oriental. Sampled several weeks ago, and still love it. I just ordered a full bottle.

Spicy ambery gorgeousness. Reminds me strongly of Masque Tango which is also by Cécile Zarokian and I own a full bottle of it; I need to do a side-by-side comparison.

"Fetes Persanes" opens with a cool, sharp, minty blend of cardamom and elemi resin, the spiciness of which is accented by a dry black pepper. It's a bit menthol-y and medicinal at first, but softens out as the warmer, sweeter notes develop. Cinnamon and clove join together giving a faint tinge of bubble gum, but thankfully without the tacky gloopiness of the previous oriental release "Indes Galantes". Within an hour, the plush base of creamy vanilla and patchouli dominates, adorned with subtle whisps of sweet spice and a delicate hint of rose. The menthol accord from the cardamom and elemi provides a contrasting fresh pinch to the sweetness of the vanilla, which keeps things from becoming too gourmand. At this point, the mix of cool, vegetal mintiness and powdery vanilla and cinnamon reminds me slightly of "Black Jade" by Lubin, though a lot spicier and more densely creamy. *UPDATE* 8 hours later, the tester strip smells exactly like Chanel "Coromandel" mixed with a dab of Tiger Balm.

I’m also among those who compare this fragrance to MR; yet this feels like its more refined sibling: a dry, cinnamon-laced interpretation with far less dirtiness. Still, it shares that unmistakable human-skin musk quality (which is not listed). The cinnamon isn’t sweet or candied; it’s fresh and vivid, reminiscent of the finest ceylon-cinnamon. It conjures images of a Persian spice bazaar, filled with warmth, golden resins, and whispers of ancient opulence. A refined oriental fragrance framed by dry cinnamon and warm spices; I absolutely loved this one. Tag(s): hyper spicy, warm, skin-musk, cinnamon

Gorgeous, I like it more than Musc Ravageur. I thought there was amber in this, it smells so warm. But it is very overpiced.

Lovely scent but unfortunately not long before it's close to the skin.

This reminds me of Spicebomb by Victor and Rolf but w/ more guaiac wood. The guaiac turns me off and the heavy dose of cardamom turns my husband off. So this is a no for both of us. Very heavy on both of those notes so if you dislike one or the other or both stay clear.

This really doesn't like my skin. It becomes rotten when I put it on. I can't smell anything but spicy,shavings. Low silage Medium longevity

Fêtes Persanes is an incredibly comfy and mature fragrance without ceding elements towards negative connotations therein (simple and dull for comfy, and smelling dated or restricting for maturity.) It definitely has a finished wood effect lurking around the base and from which the sweet cardamom, cinnamon and vanilla rise from. There is a dominant clove note here, although it never manages to become a 'baking note' or an aggressive note either - it fuses in the background to the woody notes to help give in a rich deep and spicy base, and from which the pepper every once in a while adds a spark, as if bursting from a fire with a pop. There are some resinous textures that are added to the more challenging spices in the opening that creates an alter ego for this fragrance, and yet, as it heats up, it evokes the memory of Egyptian donuts and coffee - spicy and sweet, and yet in harmony - adding to the other when the other is about to spill over into excess. Overall for those who like warm, woody, spicy fragrances, this is simply one that requires a few full wearings. 8.5/10. YT: Jess AndWesH

Cardamom pepper with a bit of cinnamon and a bit of agarwood (woods mostly) and more of cloves. Spicy cinnamon fragrance with some patchouli as well and i can't smell any roses. Quite interesting. Edit (16th June 2016) There is a sensational feeling once i apply this on my skin! it's like spraying "Imam (Shah) Mosque in Isfahan" painting by Pascal Coste on my skin. the problem i am facing with gourmand fragrances like this one and "Ouverture" by Sospiro is that i can't spray them after a heavy meal or when i am starving cause it becomes quite disturbing and sometimes makes me wanna vomit. I am facing this with all gourmand fragrances as such fragrances to me are not for anytime and anywhere, it has specific time to use and in a specific mind condition. Edit (22nd Aug 2016) After applying it for the 3rd time or maybe 4th, i sense now the cloves, cardamom, and plenty of pepper with the least of cinnamon, and vanilla! It's not a gourmand after all, it's spice, and the kind of a middle eastern coffee spices. Remains quite Persian.

Fêtes Persanes is a pretty average representative in the common sweet spicy vanillic woody genre. Not much really sets it apart. Its a pleasant scent, and if gifted to me Id certainly put it in rotation. I love cinnamon, cloves, basically any of the sweet spices. It diverges significantly from Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur, with Ravageur's animalic accord (quite subdued as it is) and lavender accord. Fêtes Persanes is sweeter and a bit easier to wear. Musc Ravageur has more classic je ne sais quoi appeal. The two are somewhat similar in Musc Ravageur's opening when it's cinnamon and cloves manifest more strongly, but the two diverge pretty significantly. I own full MDCI bottles of Invasion Barbare, Chypre Palatin, Ambre Topkapi, and Bleu Satin, and value all of them more in terms of scent profile than Fêtes Persanes

A much refined Musc Ravageur. Compared to MR, it is heavier on Rose, cardamom and cloves but still retaining a good amount of freshness. Vanilla in the drydown. Soft and buttery spicy vanilla I'd call it. Distant dry patchouli is barely detected. Modest sillage but overall very finely blended, beautiful fragrance. Wouldn't rack up the asking price though, it lacks the wow factor that would make me pay for it. Edited to add: this whole concoction morphed into something very, VERY similar to Vanille Diorama Dior in the later drydown...

Among the best of the MDCI range, Fêtes Persanes is a triumph. The fragrance opens with a burst of citrus and spices and rather quickly moves into a spicy oriental theme that persists for hours. Dominated by guaïac and cardamom on a base of vanilla and perfectly balanced. Warm, woody and enveloping—it is a perfect modern oriental, not entirely far from Fendi's magnificent Theorema. Disclosure: I am employed by Fumerie Parfumerie, an authorized MDCI retailer. This review was based on a sample provided by MDCI.