Grandiflora is a perfume line created by an Australian florist. Currently, the line consists of two perfumes inspired by magnolia, Michel and Sandrine. My experience with magnolia perfumes is that none of them smell like magnolia. I thought that I only thought this because I grew up with magnolia grandiflora. There are different varieties of magnolia and it’s possible they don’t smell like what I’m familiar with. Grandiflora Magnolia Grandiflora Michel is not like a southern magnolia. Instead it reminds me of a Dior Diorissimo for a modern era.
Grandiflora Michel is a humid citrus-hued floral. After having my nose planted to my wrist, I realize that Grandiflora Michel is a lily of the valley after a spring shower. For most of the wear all I get from Michel is a dewy muguet. The heart starts to remind me of magnolia – lemon and heady with a milkiness. They key word here is “remind”. It tries to replicate magnolia with lemon, milky lactones and a “clean” jasmine but it’s not a realistic magnolia grandiflora. The dry-down is a white musk/white floral with a hint of grassy vetiver.
Grandifloral Michel is a pretty floral, almost too pretty! It reminds me of throwback lily of the valley fragrances like Dior Diorissimo. Because it’s one of those 100% “pretty princess” floral fragrances and because it brings to mind popular perfumes from the past, I see this being a polarizing perfume. It’s one that people will love because it ventures into being aggressively pretty and “ladylike”. Or they will hate it because it’s another pretty muguet in a world with plenty of pretty muguet perfumes. I do find it more modern in interpretation than what already exists on the market but I also think that the person that wants to smell like this is already wearing those classics and isn’t looking for something “new”. But, maybe they are?
Notes listed include lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, jasmine, ylang-ylang, rose, magnolia, vetiver, patchouli and musk. Launched 2013. PERFUMER – Michel Roudnitska
Give Grandiflora Michel a try if you like dewy spring florals. Or perfumes like Dior Diorissimo, Coty Muguet de Bois, Parfums de Rosine Le Muguet de Rosine, Jessica McClintock, Annick Goutal Un Matin d’Orage and/or Acqua di Parma Magnolia Nobile. I find this fragrance more feminine (I may think that since the perfume industry has been conditioning us since the 1940’s to think of lily of the valley as the most feminine note ever).
Projection is average. Longevity is below average. I also don’t find this floral cloying.
The 3.4 oz bottle retails for $180 at Indigo Perfumery. Samples are also available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Ladylike lily of the valley. It’s a good perfume, but not really magnolia grandiflora (still searching for one of those!). Like I’ve already said it’s one that most people are going to dismiss as another pretty and proper floral; other people will love it just for that reason. Personally, I think it smells good but it isn’t for me. I like the idea of wearing lily of the valley but never do despite having them in my perfume collection.
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This one is getting a lot of attention. Partly due to the story of it being Sandrine’s last perfume, and it’s companion fragrance Michel a tribute to the perfumer as much as the flower.
i am glad to hear YOU review it, as i am going to want a true-to-life experience in the aroma and who would know better than a southern belle like yourself! 🙂
thanks for cutting through all the perfumer hype to the juice itself.
I do think this is a beautiful perfume and it’s one that I would recommend to any person that likes pretty florals or likes those vintage lily of the valley perfumes. But, as a magnolia grandiflora, I wouldn’t recommend it because those looking for a “true” magnolia are so picky! Did you read the review on NST? 😉
I also love both of the perfumers associated with this line. They are wonderful. And because of that I see why everyone is in a way mourning Sandrine’s leave within their reviews of the perfume Sandrine.
I do look forward to more from this line. I do think a florist is a great creative director.
Thanks for the link love Victoria.
Your nose is so much better attuned than mine. I didn’t even pick the opening as a muguet (LotV) experience. Now you’ve made me want to go back and try it again.
Portia xx
I don’t think my nose is better attuned than yours! I think maybe my skin has amped up some notes. Or maybe this reminds me of a lily of the valley that a beloved family member used to wear…which is totally possible.
I will try this again in the heat. I think it will be different then and if it isn’t, I still wouldn’t mind smelling like a pretty floral in the summer.
Your Diorissimo comparison is spot on, V! Thank you for the linky.
[…] This year the boutique launched two different interpretations of magnolia-inspired perfumes, Michel and […]