Chimère

Chimere opens brazenly with its mix of high pitched aldehydes, but is quickly warmed by resinous amber, soft spices, and an array of lush, sweet florals. Its honeyed, floral sweetness is tempered by an earthy, almost pungent base of castoreum, smoky woods, and moss. Though structurally a chypre, Chimere has some facets of the sweeter, big-boned "florientals" popular in the 1980s, and diehard lovers of dry, "bitter" chypres may not enjoy the spicy sweetness of this fragrance. In the drydown Chimere becomes intensely warm, enveloping, and wonderfully dirty. It is also quite tenacious, and can be clearly perceived "smouldering" on the skin 6 hours after application, this with the cologne formulation -(they just don't build them like they used to). These are the actual notes of the fragrance, as published by Prince Matchabelli when Chimere was initially launched in September of 1979: Top notes: aldehydes, gardenia, galbanum, Calabrian bergamot Middle notes: lily of the valley, jasmine, narcissus, rose, tuberose, orris, carnation, ylang ylang Base notes: spices, patchouli, East Indian vetiver, Abyssinian ambergris, castoreum, Tibetan musk, oakmoss. PS. Just discovered a most spectacular cocktail ! 🍹 Try layering Chimere with Avon's vintage ~Unspoken~, a fragrance which debuted just four years before Chimere in 1975. Unspoken's cool, dry woods, subtle incense, and soft honeycomb drydown, perfectly compliment Chimere and magnify its finest points. The result is just heavenly !

Chimère is a sensible and somewhat sweet bygone drugstore chypre. It's another example of how Prince Matchabelli was a house that while long regarded as low-tier, managed to create brilliant, compact frags that were accessible to the every-person. The aldehydes that open it seem to serve the function of persuasion: they set the tone, but they don't define the story as a whole. What follows is what I describe as that impressionistic motley of floral tones. Suggestions of what could be rose, or lily of the valley, or something vaguely tuberose or gardenia—it all smells appetizing, yet light. What makes Chimère notable, though, is how it is dominated by its charming spicy, patchouli-driven woody character, especially enjoyable as it cuts through the cold winter air. It is here that feels most voluptuous, enveloping me in something that feels poignant and faded in time. The fragrance itself is not faded, mind you; on the contrary, it still feels quite buoyant after however many years this bottle has existed. It's that impression of a faded past that clings on to the mind, as summoned through scent. In French, poursuivre des chimères means to chase rainbows...this seems apt.

I lived in this for most of the 80’s. Unfortunately I did not stock up in it before it disappeared. I am hoping someone else remembers it and can tell me of a similar perfume - it has been a long time.

The thing I remember about this scent was that I loved it. I remember wearing this when I was pregnant with my oldest child. I wish it had not been discontinued.

Happy and straightforward classy perfume for the ladies... Nothing complex or mysterious about this fragrance -- it's simply a lovely combination of the basic chypre oils: bergamot, patchouli, oak moss and labdanum (a little heavy on this one I think) and a few floral tones. There is a slight soapiness to the open but it soon settles down. Sillage and longevity are above average. Chimere is a warm (almost hot) spicy, tingly treat that is sure to complement a lady's outfit, whether it's preparation for the working day or a smashing night out. Yes, a man could wear this too, but cautiously and not on all occasions I would say. Mine is the 45ml bottle, totally different from that shown above. A definite winner from Prince Matchabelli.