Tarantella

Tommi Sooni’s TARANTELLA is a wonderful aldehydic chypre. Very elegant, very complex, this is a classically styled parfum. TARANTELLA is indeed a unisex fragrance to my nose. TARANTELLA opens brightly with citrus, light flowers and sparkling aldehydes that then turns almost immediately green with galbanum and marigold notes. From there on, TARANTELLA asserts itself as spicy green with notes of moss and chypre. The dry down brings masculine notes to the front - leather and oakmoss - yet a complex patchouli note maintains a soft and subtle floral heart. This is an elegant and seductive day fragrance. A gorgeous chypre. It is a shame that Tommi Sooni, an Australian niche perfumery, seems to have shut its doors, particularly as my bottle is close to empty. TARANTELLA is long lasting with an enormous sillage at first that then mellows to moderate-heavy. 8/10

Tarantella was the first fragrance from Australian niche line Tommi Sooni. The hype about it was the fact is was sold in numbered batches of 500 bottles. They classify it as Chypre, but guys, this is a gigantic white floral bouquet and it's an almost exact dupe of Houbigant Quelques fleurs. Oh yes, I adore Quelues Fleurs, so Tarantella is equally fabulous. Huge (if you know QF, you know what I mean) and for some, migraine inducing; dab sparingly. Evokes spring and magnificent gardens. The drydown of Tarantella is a little bit more woody/drier compared to QF. Well done and nice to wear; but as I said above, but it's not very original. Not sure if they still produce it. But if you like huge florals (white flowers) it's a nice to try. _________ notes : neroli, galbanum, mandarin, muguet, orris, Anatolian rose, frangipani, Egyptian jasmine, clove, laurel, honey, leather, amber, oak moss and sandalwood.

First impression was old books. In 5 minutes, this one was beating me over the head with inescapable sillage so strong it was painful- literally - headache. This lasted 20 minutes on my wrist from a sample. Then it softened, and this turned out to be the first chypre perfume I have ever enjoyed. The old book smell came back- pages, leather bindings, and all. Resinous, warm, dry, and generallly smooth. There is an undercurrent of something a little bit scratchy (patchouli?) but not screechy. It smells old fashioned, but not in a bad way. There are so many notes its hard for me to pick individuals out from the blend, but I do notice galbanum, amber, mossy greens, leather, and a mix of florals. Eventually fades into a softer and more elegant skin scent that lasts quite a long time.

in the start it reminds me quite much of : Niki de Saint Phalle Niki de Saint Phalle, but then they move in different directions. I don`t get the pepper/flowery notes that comes with NdSP. (Guess it`s the carnation.) Tarantella is (to my nose) darker and the leather is more noticable. I`ll imagine it like this: In a forest after a rainfall, NdSP is among the flowers, growing up from the forest floor, the sun is peeping through the leaves. Tarantella`s home is underneath all this, nearer the ground and the roots of the trees and yes, in an inviroment that spiders usually prefer . This might sound a bit gloomy, but it`s not really. Tarantella is very elegant and beautiful! A must try in my opinion!

Tarantella by Tommi Sooni, is my first foray into this Australian niche brand, certainly setting a high standard for what will follow. I am rather liking this green and mossy blend. I agree with Lindy-Fay, this does smell a little like Niki de Saint Phalle. It also has qualities and moments that remind me of Diorella and Estee Lauder's Private Collection. It has a rather antiquated and classic feel, which will certainly please those with a taste for rich and complex scents from a by-gone era. Tarantella opens with bitter and somewhat metallic greens and galbanum. The aldehydes provide that familiar sparkling and powdery aspect, almost like a vintage Chanel in its approach. The product description states that this fragrance is intended for women over 25 years of age. Well, I'm under 25 and I enjoy wearing Tarantella so much that I'd urge other young women to give it a fair chance. Like all chypres, Tarantella has a herbal and mossy edge. I've grown to love chypres over time, however they weren't always my favourite. The heart and drydown have some slightly masculine accords, mainly due to the leather, bay leaf, oakmoss and patchouli. Tarantella could indeed be unisex. Initially this fragrance was strong in terms of projection, however towards the drydown it becomes quite soft and subtle on the skin. Thankfully the lasting power is good, otherwise I may have been sorely disappointed. All in all, Tarantella is a gorgeous green chypre, easily wearable and intelligently composed. I am proud to call myself an Australian today.

Lovely opening but my skin eats it in minutes. Gone. Shame because it feels like its going to be amazing.