Yohji 1996

I have just bought two FB of this from an old shop in my country, it's the vintage edition, when it was still produced by Jean Patou, back in 1996.You can't imagine my joy when I read the rear of the see-through box. I've been looking for this for many years since my first bottle when it came out and disappeared and I find it totally different from the latest version, from 2013 ( not bad, but not exceptional either, in its average cleaniness) . Galbanum, rasberry and sandalwood are the most prominent notes in this "vintage". On me it lasts more than 12 hours, it's totally unisex and I guess YY didn't want to make a "female targeted perfume". In the "Homme" eau de toilette ( another masterpiece, back then) you could read "homme" whereas this one even if FRAGRANTICA defines it "for women" is beyond any boundary of gender. It's not an eau de toilette for the lasting power, it's more like a "parfum the toilette" and it does resemble to nothing else; I've smelled a lot of weird perfumes in my scented life, never sticking to many but this and a few others cannot be forgotten, for the unique fairy-tale vibe exuding from this juice. It has reached skyrocketing prices and they're well deserved, maybe it wasn't a commercial success for Jean Patou in 1996 but the trained noses behave differently from the tastes of the masses, I can quote the apparent example of NU, almost ignored when it came out ( You could buy it half price in shops) and then an expensive icon of unisex chicness among perfumistas...

Yohji is unique in that it starts off with a blast of synthetic green notes that is strangely intriguing even though it smells overwhelmingly chemical. Furthermore, the berries in the midway development somehow do not steer the scent towards sweet fruity territory. It remains quite linear from its second hour onwards, with the synthetic green notes mellowing down to the vanilla and berries. I do wear this scent about 2 or 3 times a year as a reminder of how inventive modern fragrances done well should smell like. It is the sum of all parts rather individual components that make this so interesting. Its sillage and projection is enormous and it lasts well beyond 12 hours. This is a one of a kind formula that no one tries to imitate or reintroduce. That in itself is a formidable feat considering the amount of smell-a-likes out there. When Patou Parfums were bought out by P&G, they quickly axed the entire Yohji line including the equally mesmerising Yohji Homme. Neither of these are out of the box everyday fragrances. It takes a certain confidence and quirkiness to pull it off. In short, this is a work of art for the nose; mysterious, oddly bright yet indescribable. It's the sort of artwork you come across, tilt your head and think, "what is this supposed to be?". We (the Yohji cult) live in hope that someday both Yohji and Yohji Homme will make a comeback.

I am -almost- speachless. This could very well be the most unique perfume I ́ve encountered... Absolutly adorable, stunning and make my heart pound a little harder. How does it smell? As F_A write below, it is filled with complexity and opposites. Very hard to describe... This is a perfume you must really experience. If you ever come across the chanse to smell Yohji, close your eyes, inhale and feel how a big smile is painted on your lips... and your body tangle with well-being. It is impossible to belive why this perfume is discontinued!? Did I say I was speachless? Oh, you know me I love babbling about perfumes, but there isn ́t likely my words can do this magic potion justice. Cause magic it is, it is unique and still I can smell a lot of similarities to many of my favourite perfumes in it, just to discover that they are gone and back again over and over again. It could be a perfume for angels, if it was possible to make perfume from stardust and diamonds and the rainbow, maybe it would smell almost as good as Yohji! Thank you again F_A! It get straight up on top of my big bottle list! Surely we must get this one back in production as well? I ́m sorry folks, I am aware of my poor ability to describe how the actual perfume smell... But it could very well be one of the most beautiful perfumes ever! Love it madly!

One of my absolutely favorite fragrances ... I love the complexity ... very warm, light and heavy at the same time, spicy and sweet fragrance.smoke of incenses.... Could a fragrance actually convey a color..?? Yohji for me is the color of Indigo! a unique color ..much like this fragrance * In line with the other colors of the 'purple family,' indigo was also a color of nobility and aristocracy. In the Elizabethan times, People of distinction and class only were allowed to wear this color. ' * In chromotherapy índigo assumes narcotic properties, eliminating the fear of darkness as well as to treat certain mental and emotional disorders. * According to Hinduism - Indigo is the color associated with the The Third Eye Chakra is located in the center of the head behind your eyebrows. This Chakra is related to our ability to perceive clearly. Intuition, insight, and imagination are also associated with this Chakra. Somehow ...Yohji manages to convey all of Indigo's Unique Color Meaning and Symbolisms as a Fragrance... Amazingly it makes me feel distinctive and rich.. there is a narcotic thrill in its complex smell....."makes my heart pound a little harder" and yet I utterly feel incredibly at peace with myself... This is a Fragrance that demands be experienced .. not just smelled!

Today it was lucky Sunday morning! Because I bought this scent in EDT contained in a black cute box with white lace through it. As I took the cap off and touched my nose, it was possible for me to smell the magic aroma, and I was into it immediately. The matter is 'Yohji' makes me feel that I have a valuable classy vintage perfume to be proud of. It is as sweet as I like it, no more, it's warm and gentle the way I love it, and spicy and deep enough to please me. Right, I am happy I found it, just only 10ml, but I will keep hunting for more. I'm positive that my being enthusiastic about it will be helpful in this adventure.