Atelier

The unlikely discovery of a copaiba balsam forward floral amber in Atelier makes it stand out amongst the multitude of scents to flood the market in the late 80s. Copaiba, technically a natural oleoresin than that of balsam, isn't really profound in its own scent profile, it's softly woody, vaguely cinnamic, and decidedly anodyne. However, its fixative value for florals and spices is extraordinary, and having experimented it in blends some time ago, I can vouch for that. The fact that it is voted very high by reviewers on Fragrantica is a source of amusement, as I wonder just how many have smelled or could even discern the smell of copaiba among all other components within a perfume. What I do think is that these reviewers pick up on a balsamic feel overall, which motivates them to "vote up" this note. Even The Handbook of Great Italian Perfumery mentions it: "...with sandalwood smoothly complementing a precious thick, sticky balm (Copaiba). I have no reason to doubt that Copaiba is used here, as it's not quite as "precious" as the quote above asserts—its quite affordable for fragrance use. I'd like to think that its use encases the opulent elements of Atelier into an amber: the petitgrain-citrus, creamy custard ylang ylang, bramble berry tartness, and a heliotrope-scented incense not too dissimilar to that of Cacharel Lou Lou or Joop! Femme. It's woody, vanillic dry down feels velvety and cozy, making Atelier a lovely winter warmer. Lastly, I must mention that I find the catafalque-esque bottle to be so charming.

To those interested in Sergio Soldano's Atelier, I'd say that it is a real bargain that deserves trying, if you like vintage, heavy scents like Magie Noir, Adam Levine's Femme or Rumba. It is not a dupe of any of the scents mentioned above, but it is a bold fragrance. On my skin, I get less fruit and more rose and vanilla. Longevity and projection above average. P. S. @HoneySmoke889 Commenting from 3 different accounts won't make you win this argument. Describing creepy babbling as "creative writing", and annoying people on multiple frag pages is hardly "spreading positivity", as you probably think you are doing. I am scrolling down and browsing through various reviews of different perfumes but the same creepy character keeps popping up, spreading morbid thoughts and imagery. And that does not bring joy and happiness to anyone except yourself. If you find pleasure in the morbid, creepy and downright weird, por favor don't impose it on others and pretend that you are doing them a favor by your so-called "creative writing-spreading positivity". Smh...

For God's sake, I'm beginning to get tired of @n0b0dyn0se REALLY strange and downright creepy description of perfumes. I keep bumping on these while searching for reviews of perfumes I want or like. Sheesh... As for Sergio Soldano's perfume, it really is a strong classic Italian fragrance, not for everyone. When I was a teenager, I had a mini-bottle of Sergio Soldano's Black, and although I am a woman, I really liked it a lot.

They dont make perfumes like this anymore, but if they did it would be named intense. The top notes are citric then on the dry down a juicy tart raspberry and the lovely rose shines through... Then a nice sandalwood amber basenotes sings. Theres a cedar presence. Longlasting 80s classic Italian.

Please do this fragrance a favor and disregard comparisons like "Play Doh" and LouLou. There is nothing plasticky about it and there is NO comparison whatsoever to LouLou except the strength and vintage-y vibe. IMHO, not a safe blind buy unless you are into European vintages.