Christian Dior Diorissimo was created by perfumer Edmond Roudnitska and released in 1956. According to Michael Edwards in Perfume Legends, Roudnitska was disturbed by the trend towards the heavier use of gourmand & sweet notes in perfumery, which resulted from efforts to balance out the new, sometimes harsh synthetics:
Not only were we pushing perfumes in the direction of food, but we were also putting too many ingredients into them. It made them too complicated and muddled. (quoted in Perfume Legends, p. 111)
Roudnitska was determined to simplify his approach; Diorissimo was the result. The fragrance notes are greens, bergamot, lily of the valley, ylang ylang, rosewood, amaryllis, boronia, jasmine, sandalwood, and civet.
The Eau de Toilette version of Diorissimo starts slightly sharp, with heavy green notes and a perfect lily of the valley accord. The lily of the valley continues to dominate, but there is also quite a bit of jasmine, and just a touch of wood. It is crisp and sparkling, very elegant, very young, and personifies spring like no other fragrance I know. It is not terribly long lasting, maybe a few hours at most.
The Parfum de Toilette is rather a different thing altogether. It is a deeper, sweeter floral, less sparkling, less green. The jasmine tends to take over the lily of the valley after an hour or so. It has a heavier animalic note, which might be from the civet, or perhaps from the indoles in the jasmine. It is a simply gorgeous fragrance, and the Eau de Toilette smells rather wan and pale in comparison.
All the same, I am not sure which version I prefer. I have been wearing Diorissimo for so long now that I am not sure I can really smell it properly, not in the sense of olfactory fatigue, for I don’t wear it that often, but simply because it is associated with so many old memories. The Eau de Toilette smells closer to what I remember wearing years ago, and while I suspect that it doesn’t smell quite the same as it used to, I adore it anyway.
The Parfum de Toilette version is unfortunately rather hard to find, so I have no advice on where to purchase it, and for that matter, I have no idea if Dior still produces a parfum version. The Eau de Toilette can be purchased at almost any of the online discounters.
Update 2/07: I have been wearing the parfum version of Diorissimo off and on over the past few months (so yes, it is still made!). Above, I called the Parfum de Toilette "simply gorgeous", and the parfum is even more gorgeous still. It is stunning. It is rich and deep, and Dior is clearly spending more money on the raw materials for the parfum than they are on the Eau de Toilette. It is a must-have, and luckily, can be found at decent discount prices if you shop around online; if you're willing to pay full price, it can be found at Saks. Still, it doesn't replace the Eau de Toilette. The Eau de Toilette remains the perfect thing when you need something crisp and sparkling and light on a summer day, and the Parfum, lovely as it is, isn't crisp and sparkling and light. So buy both.
I was introduced to this scent by my aunts when I was a teenager. I have worn it on and off for years. It is a favorite in my family, and I'll always associate this scent with them.
We usually wore parfum. Now, parfum is hard to find and horribly expensive. Do you think the parfum strength is worth it when edt is so heavily discounted at etailers?
I just did some more checking, and imaginationperfumery.com has the EdT, the Esprit de Parfum (which must be the same as what I am calling Parfum de Toilette) and the pure parfum. The parfum is $120 for .5 oz, not as bad as I would have thought, but I've never smelled it so you would be a better judge than I!
Thanks, R! I'll take a look at this site.
Diorissimo was my first fragrance, bought for me by my Mom sometime in the 60's, so of course it evokes a great deal of scent memory for me, but I was terribly disappointed recently when I got some of the “new” Diorissimo, having been reformulated like most of the vintage fragrances, it lost its magic for me.
Apparently in the rush to economize on scent ingredients, according to Mandy Aftel and others, most of the vintage fragrances have been re-synthesized due to cost cutting. Dommage! This is why scents using more “natural” ingredients are more expensive (Creed, Villoresi, Aftel, Profumi di Firenze, Frederic Malle? etc), and boy are they worth it!
just a wonderful fragrance “explication” — nice, r.
I know exactly what you mean, and it is a shame that companies feel they must economize by replacing the original ingredients with cheaper substitutes. But I guess I do not give up so easily…I still love Diorissimo. The only fragrance I have given up on entirely is Jean Couturier Coriandre, which smells so different from what I remember that I can't bear to wear it. On the other hand, for all I know it hasn't changed a bit and I just don't like it anymore?
I'm surprised to learn there is civet in Diorissimo. Isn't that a heavy, animalic base? I cannot detect any of those accords.
According to Mandy Aftel (Essence and Alchemy), the teeniest amount of civet can be used as a fixative without directly affecting the fragrance.
Funny that you should mention Coriandre, because it is the first fragrance I remember having a weird reaction to when I was a teenager in the 70's and terribly captivated by fragrance, being started off by the original Diorissimo, it must have something in it that short circuits my nose. I'm sure it 's been feformulated though, almost all commercial fragrances have been, but we DO change too!
Coriandre was definitely a love-it-or-hate-it kind of fragrance. I just loved it, but many people around me did not 🙂
Yes, I would agree that in the EdT at least, it is not detectable. The PdT smells more animalic to me, but sometimes heavy doses of jasmine smell animalic, or at least slightly fecal, on their own.
Oh, yes it can! Someone just sent me samples of JAR Ferme tes Yeux and SIP Dragon Pearl, and it's definitely there, and I must say I find both of them quite compelling, which surprised me. Some find it in Aftelier's Cacao too, but I don't to the degree of the others, but my nose seems to be a bit “different.” You've read Essence and Alchemy, right?
Mireille in New Zealand? I tried to “invite you a a friend” just now, but my bid was rejected, I probably have to check some new box. How are you? Sorry we lost touch!
I have read it. I don't own a copy, but I probably should. Ferme tes Yeux almost knocked me over (if you do a search on the blog you can see my short review), but haven't tried the Dragon Pearl or Cacao, although the latter is infamous.
You probably should own a copy! And the way I found your site was by Googling Ferm tes Yeux, which knocks me OUT, not over! Weird, huh? Maybe I won't like it so much in a week or two (she said, hopefully). Glad to have found you all, it's a very interesting site, thank you!
Ah…speaking of knocking one over: Amouage. I spritzed on some Amouage Gold (men's) three weeks ago and my coat sleeve still reeks….the sweater I wore (after two washings) reeks. I know that Amouage scents contain civet — the natural type. I'd assume the Dior scents use imitation civet these days. So many people believe civet cats are killed for their scent…but the reality is worse (if I were a civet…give me death!) They are kept in terrible “compounds”…filthy, crowded, disease-ridden, and have the scent “extracted” once a week or so. So I can't bear to wear a fragrance with that natural fixative. It might be an interesting idea for your column to explore the use of civet in perfumes — past and present — real and faux. (I'm new to your great blog so don't know if you have already done this.) KS
Hi, all. I'm tickled pink that Diorissimo was written about today because I wore it just this morning, and I never wear Diorissimo; I just happened to be wearing it today. It was my mother's signature in the '60s I believe. I have a parfum mini and it's a beautiful scent–I find the EDT a tad astringent.
Now I'm changed into Pecksniff's Natural Floral…Have a good day! Sali
It is an interesting idea, but hard information about which companies still use real animal by-products is almost impossible to come by. Amouage Gold is beautifully done and I loved the incense note, but it is far too heavy for my taste as well. I'm not sure if it has civet, although it certainly has something animalic.
S, that is funny. We'll see if I can manage to foretell any more of your future perfume choices! I should look for a mini of the parfum — you didn't buy it online by chance?
(Sorry for the Amouage Detour): the incense smell in that scent is wonderful. In the perfume shop, as I was picking up the bottle to spritz, the clerk came running, FAST, and shouted “WAIT! WAIT!” At first I thought she was being cheap with this costly elixir…but no…she said she had gotten “so many complaints” from people who sprayed this on and could NOT get it off with soap and water that she was issuing “warnings” about the astounding strength and durability My own measly application lasted over 24 hours! — thru a hot shower! If only they made a version that would smell like it did a day later.
The mini I have is an older version with a gold cap, and it was part of a set with the EDT that came in a box together. It was a gift from Mom. Ebay occasionally has the vints up for auction–worth a look maybe. 🙂
no, wrong Mireille, sorry!
That's a great story! I recently rec'd samples of Eau de Amouge & Amouage Ciel, which I think are both supposed to be lighter. Will give them a try soon.
Will keep an eye out on ebay, thanks!
Ha — imagine! Muddled doesn't begin to describe it. But there are so many perfumers whose work seems to be inspired by Roudnitska. Jean Claude Ellena springs to mind.
Thank you for this post – this is one of the best descriptions of Diorissimo I've ever read. I've been curious about it, but haven't seen it around where I live, so I've been unable to sniff it for myself.
It can be found or special ordered in many dept stores – It was my fall back for many years – never obtrusive, always classy – but as I grew older I longed for something spicier, darker – Diorissimo is a “blond” perfume, has no mystery or secrets – but does evoke strong memories- Sunday lunches with my in laws who brought back my first bottle from Paris, weddings, lunches with girl friends, cashmere and jeans.
I adored Coriandre, but no-one else seemed quite so knocked out as I was! I went through three full bottles (almost a record), then my only source went bust. I might try searching the web, but is it worth it if the scent has been changed?
I've seen minis of the EdT in the major perfume chains, like perfumania, for under $10, and I should think they would let you sample? Of course, if your town is as small as mine, you might have quite a drive to find even a perfumania 🙂
You can find it REALLY cheap online. Scentiments has a 1 oz bottle for 9.99. I honestly can't say how much it has changed…it is hard to believe that it hasn't been reformulated in the last 20 years, but it may just be that I don't like the smell as much as I used to.
I haven't spotted it in the dept stores, or the outlets (no-name ones). Perfumania I do have access to, but it's a five hour drive at best, and that's if there's no traffic, mudslides, road construction detours, etc… I'm sure I'll either get lucky and stumble across it, or else I'll just get it unsniffed as I work my way down my list.
This is one I keep forgetting to test, it's always overshadowed by the “hot, new fragrance” but for it to still be on the shelves many years later in such a fickle industry says a lot!
Let me know if you try it, actually I think it sounds like something you would like.
I just raided my mother's perfume cupboard and came away with her bottle of Diorissimo Esprit de Parfum – she kept the Edt. This was one of her favourites but she finds the esprit too overpowering – it gives her a headache. I tried the Edt but found that it was nearly gone in a couple of hours – so avoid this unless you can be bothered to reapply three times a day. On another Dior note – my mother carries Eau Sauvage in a miniature around with her – it revives her she claims. My personal favourite is the Diorella though. KathleenP
Hey, lucky you! I love the EdP, but I can see why someone would find it overpowering. I wouldn't want to get on an elevator with someone who had just finished spraying it on with abandon, whereas you can just about bathe in the EdT without offending anyone. But the EdP is lovely if applied lightly, and much longer lasting.
And glad to know Eau Sauvage & Diorella are both still used & loved, would hate to see either be discontinued!
Can anybody tell me if it's real Civet in Diorissimo? I bid for some on ebay as I love the smell, but didn't realise it contains Civet. I hate to wear anything that has suffered, as think the vibes will be on me so I was wondering if anybody can tell me please.
Suzanne. Wiltshire, England.
Hi Suzanne, In 1999, Christian Dior stated that they did not use real civet in their perfumes, see:
http://www.wspa.org.au/02news/press_office/04press_civetfarms.html
I was looking for something with a classic feel when I first smelled Diorissimo… Sometimes, I don't know why, it smells old-fashioned… I keep asking myself if it is a good option for this ultra hot brazilian weather…
🙂
Oh, I think it does smell old-fashioned. It is a completely different style than most of what is being made today. Not sure I'd wear in August, which is probably the only time of the year we can match your weather — but I mostly wear citrus in August:
https://nstperfume.com/blog/_archives/2005/8/17/1135282.html
I tried it again today, so light and feminine! My fiancée described it as someting “really soft and exquisite”… 🙂
Hello-my first post here…I recently discovered your blog while Googling for a source for Diorissimo. I still love it, and what's more, I love your blog! Would you believe I have become a budding perfumista, just from reading your blog? It's become my new hobby! Thank you for writing the reviews – you do a great job!
Hi and welcome! Hope you're having fun with your new hobby, and thanks so much for the nice words 🙂
HI! I know this is an older blog and post, but I just found this blog and wanted to reply. To be clear, Esprit is not EDP, right? I was told that, in the pecking order, the strongest is parfum, then esprit, then EDP. I have the parfum and will be getting the Esprit soon. I really love Diorissimo. I had an older bottle of EDT that someone gave me, which is how I got hooked. Then, I bought a bottle of parfum and did not like that particular bottle of EDT as much as the parfume. I am not sure if the EDT smelled different to me because it was old and the parfum was new, etc., but I did not like it as well.
So, I now have parfum, bath/shower gel, dusting powder and am expecting my esprit any day now. What other pieces were ever made in the fragrance, to your knowledge? Thanks!
As near as I can tell, all that is currently in production is Extrait, Esprit de Parfum & Eau de Toilette. Esprit de Parfum *can* be stronger than Eau de Parfum, but on the part of the Dior website where they define perfumery terms, they list “Eau de Parfum/ Esprit de Parfum”, which leads me to think they are the same thing or close to it at Dior.
Bath products listed on the CD website are shower gel, body lotion & soap — and sorry, I've no idea what other products were made in the past.
Aha! Thanks so much! I live near a Saks and I don't think they carry the Esprit, which made me think that it is not in production any more. In fact, I know that this particular Saks does not carry an Esprit, or else I would have bought it. I just bought one from Ebay, and I believe it to be an older piece. Had I known that Esprit was still in production I would have bought it new. I will check with Saks again (at large) and I will also check with Dior. Thanks so much!
I should clarify: The Esprit is shown on the French website, but not on the US website — so guessing that you won't find it at Saks. The French website also shows all the body products, the US one doesn't. So, looks like they don't export the whole range.
Wow! Thanks again! I am new to perfurmery (if that is such a word :-)). This is all so fascinating to me. How can I get to the French website? And, can those products be obtained in the States? If so, how?
Wow…even more Diorissimo products; this is great! Thanks so much!
Go to dior.com, choose fragrances, then select the country you want to see.
Just did a quick check, and imaginationperfumery has the body products, including the soap, shower gel & body lotion — but if you want them, I'd order soon. Might be that they don't always have them in stock, and your only other options (unless you found them at another discounter) would be ship from France or buy on Ebay.
Again, thanks! I have all the body products but the soap. I am anal that way and I love the fragance so much until I just have to have all of the pieces (but, I am still on the fence about the Eau de Toilette). I will go to imaginationperfumery.com and order today.
I now have a question about layering. What pieces are typically used for layering or worn all at the same time? I don't want to overdo it. Thanks for everything!
It depends on the scent — some scent's body products are really strong, and it is easy to overdo, but others are not.
But with many brands, the soap & body washes don't leave much scent on the skin. So you'll have to experiment!
Hi, I love the Diorissimo very much, the only thing is that the toilette is too light and the scent is like gone in 10 minutes, the perfume is too expensive for me, can you recommend some similar alternative that lasts a bit longer? thanks
You might try Delrae Debut in EdP, although it is not cheap either, or you might hunt around on eBay for the Diorissimo Parfum de Toilette.
Hey Robin,
I just got a chance to test this one (love it!) and I am curious about the color of the juice. The juice I tested was amber colored but when I googled it at the discounters all of the juice is pale yellow. Is this unusual?
I'm sorry but I really don't know. My bottle of EdT is rather old — it's somewhere between amber and pale yellow.
hmmm? thanks for looking!
Got intrigued with Diorissimo after reading “Perfumes: The Guide.” I've always loved lily of the valley and would never have been clued into this fragrance otherwise, because the name certainly doesn't give it away. Got a bottle of the EDT at Saks 5th, one of the few places to sample and carry it. It's lovely but has a surprising lack of sillage, the scent fades pretty dramatically within 30 minutes, so you can't even say it has a drydown phase. It's the sort of perfume I'd have to reapply every hour, just about, it's so faint. I guess I won't be offending anyone with it! Lily of the valley is one of those happy scents for me — we had the flowers growing in the yard of one of my childhood homes and my mother had, in the late 60s, a lily of the valley perfume or cream from Avon I used to love getting into. It was probably at most a $5 scent and I'm not sure that it smelled any worse than the $60 bottle of EDT from Saks. Turin gives Diorissimo five stars in his “Guide” but I'm not sure I'd even categorize Diorissimo as a perfume. To me it's so one-note, speaking only of lily of the valley, that I can't detect the other notes that are purported to be in there. It's a great scent if you love lily of the valley, as I do, and I enjoy being able to add it into my perfume rotation, and particularly enjoy wearing something that not everyone else is wearing, but I'm not sure if I would call Diorissimo a great perfume, anymore than I would call rubbing fresh rosemary onto myself a great perfume. I appreciate the chemical artistry involved to create something that's mimics the real thing so flawlessly, but to me a real perfume is a cocktail of ingredients that creates something entirely new, something that it more elusive and undefinable than Diorissimo. I don't think this perfume evokes anything other than lily of the valley. I would wear this for myself, because I enjoy the smell (which in this day and age has a sort of nice retro subversiveness to it), but I think other people, if they were ever to be able to detect it on me, wouldn't say “what a lovely perfume” but “you smell like lily of the valley.” I do wish it wouldn't fade out so quickly!
Try the Vintage, it's much richer!
What's the “vintage,” and, more importantly, how easy is it to locate and sample? I usually buy perfumes based on their base notes — with Diorissimo EDT all I get are top notes.
Bethro, If you want something deeper and longer lasting, you might try the Parfum instead of the EdT. But it sounds like it doesn't really appeal to you, so perhaps it is not worth the expense.
Turin's opinion, though, is not unusual — Diorissimo is widely thought to be a masterpiece.
I actually DO like Diorissimo but would be reluctant to buy the perfume without sampling it. The perfume seems hard to find, anyway — Saks in the Washington, DC area doesn't carry it. I'm leery of buying things without sampling them — even scents in the same label. Case in point, I was a real Chanel No. 19 fan and had always used the perfume. Now I can only find the EDT (even that is hard to find) and was so disapponted when I bought the EDT. Perhaps Chanel has reformulated No. 19, but the EDT barely resembles the perfume and doesn't mellow out to the basenotes I adored in the perfume. Now I essentially use my 3.4 oz bottle of No. 19 as expensive air freshener. So I wouldn't want to buy Diorissimo in perfume form and find out I hated it. If I can find some to sample I will definitely do so. Otherwise, Diorissimo is so light, it's the sort of scent I'd probably have to keep with my in my purse and keep reapplying every two hours or so. Which means I'll probably go through my current bottle in a month's time! (Maybe that's Dior's marketing strategy.)
Hi!
You can go to theperfumedcourt.com. They sell samples of both the Diorissimo parfum and the EDT. They are great people, too. This way, you can try it without purchasing an entire bottle.
Good recommendation, thanks!
Thanks for the information. The Perfumed Court looks like an interesting business, filling a niche that's been overlooked by the mass marketers. I see they have people who scout out estate sales. I guess perfume really does live forever. Coincidentally, first came across Chanel No. 19 with a bottle I picked up in a thrift shop.
Have to note that I've been wearing Diorissimo for two straight weeks now and totally love it. To me lily of the valley is one of those innocuous, happy scents. I can't fathom someone hating it, just like I can't fathom someone hating the smell of fresh-baked bread or newly-cut grass. But, apparently, there are people out there who do hate LOTV. Someone on basenotes described it as “whale vomit.” Have no idea what THAT smells like, despite the fact that I am coincidentally reading Moby Dick at the moment. I do have the perfume on order, since I'm not happy with the way the EDT fades out. I've gone through probably a good tenth of a 1.7 ounce bottle already, which I think is a lot to go through in two weeks. The scent is so light my husband's never mentioned smelling anything (?!!!) I don't think of Diorissimo as being a man-magnet type of scent anyhow, as I noted before, but something more that I wear for myself. (The one perfume I wore years ago that really seemed to drive men wild was Halston.) To me Diorissimo, even though it's an old scent, is very youthful — I could imagine it being a young girl's first scent. It's also very springlike — I don't know how I'll feel about wearing it in the winter. Other scents that I've been wearing lately include Light Blue and Un Jardin sur Le Nil which seem seasonless to me — although everyone describes them as being summertime scents as well. I did try Caron's Muguet de Bonheurs and there's absolutely no comparison. The only bad experience I've had with Diorissimo in the past two weeks is I was stuck in line in Balducci's behind a very sour-faced woman who I swear was wearing the scent — so that kind of poked a hole in the bubble of my image of the fragrance momentarily!
Glad you're still enjoying it, and have to agree that the Caron cannot compare, although it is nice too.
I think I've said about everything to say about Diorissimo but wanted to add some more thoughts. This is my newest scent in a limited lineup — haven't bought anything new for about two years and I totally adore it. You could even say I'm addicted to it at the moment.
Spraying the EDT on my clothes seems to help prolong the scent — for some reason it seems to fade out on my skin. Went to the Dior web site and it notes the top notes as being: greens, bergamot, calyx; heart notes as being lily of the valley, jasmine, ylang ylang, and lilac; and the base note as being sandalwood. No mention of any civet, although maybe that's something that no one would willingly report. This old scent is my new favorite. Do have to say that the name is kind of dumb and I would never have tried it without reading “Perfumes: The Guide.”
Perfume usually lasts better on fabric than on skin, and spraying in hair works well too.
Diorissimo is so lovely that it brings tears to my eyes. It is the very breath of spring.
And hope spring will be here soon…
November ’63,me and my mom home alone whilst dad was in Germany with work.JFK asassinated,the world took a deep breath and I slept in her bed because we were both rattled..
Dad returns days later bearing gifts. Mon Cherie chocolates,Pumpernickel bread,cuckoo clock from the Black Forest,Steiff puppy dog……and a bottle of Diorissimo for mom.
At the age of seven,I marvelled at the glamour of the pale pink box,the shell-like silk interior,in which nestled the bottle of perfume.
It was heavy,the scent was darkish in colour,and it had a glass stopper.I wanted it to be mine.
My mom was kind of confused by the obvious expense.She was a housewife,who clipped coupons and barely went out.When/where should she wear it? I saw her nose wrinkle as she smelled the bottle, and tipped a tear drop amount onto her wrist.
I asked to be allowed a sniff….and was instantly transported to an exotic world that I knew nothing about.
It waited,beckoned even…..but was out of reach.
Heady,sweet to the point of cloying,indulgent,precious,playful,confident.It spoke to me of nights night sin San Tropez,Cannes and St.Moritz,though I only knew of these places through reading my mother’s Vogue mags.
I was so envious of that heavy glass phial,that I used to slip into her bedroom in the evening and take the bottle from it’s plumptious home,and dab a smidgen on my wrists to help me sleep and dream..
Lily of the Valley…gorgeous…in your face…I can recall it even now some forty years later.
Tragically,my mom fumbled with the stopper one evening and dropped the bottle.The contents seeped onto the bedroom carpet….lovely and uplifting for a while,but ultimately such a waste.
My mom is very old now,and needs help with her baths and day to day tasks.I want to buy a bottle to recall the days when she was young and vibrant,and still my dad’s girl…
xx
What a wonderful story, thanks!
If you buy, be careful…Diorissimo is getting reformulated this year, and you might want to look for an older bottle.
my dear Robin, vintage Diorissimo tiny 5 ml decant EDT is one of the best things has ever happened to me in my whole life. thank you so much for introducing her.
(could you please help me how to buy a FB vintage original? I do not dare to buy from ebay, probaly they are fake)
I do not know where you can buy vintage other than eBay, unless you get very lucky at a garage sale or estate sale. Sorry!
thanks a million Robin
I wondered if Diorissimo was still made! I haven’t seen it anywhere! When I was a little girl, my father would bring me little bottles of Diorissimo when he returned from his travels abroad.
Loved the tiny glass vial in the beautiful box.
I would love to have some again, just for the memories, but I wonder if it would be the same?
It will not be quite the same as what you smelled, but fairly recent versions were pretty darned good. I haven’t smelled a new bottle in the last year, and hear it’s been reformulated again but that’s all I know!
To me this perfume epitomises SPRINGTIME. I find it more or less identical to the fragrance of paper white narcissus. There is also jasmine, and a lot of lily of the valley going on. It is a bit sweet and could even be called cloying. I like it OK, not a top favourite though. I like perfumes to be distinctive enough to be able to recognise them, and this definitely meets that.
Yes it does.
Robin, Diorissimo has been my favorite fragrance my whole adult life. However, it has changed in recent years. Is there any other fragrance that captures lily of the valley as beautifully as the original Diorissimo?
I very much enjoy your articles.
Well, most of them have been reformulated too — IFRA has placed restrictions on the aromachemical these older scents used to create a lily of the valley accord. So I’d have to say no, you’re not going to find a perfect lily of the valley unless you like your lily of the valley very clean, in which case try Van Cleef & Arpels Muguet Blanc.
I hope this is the right place to ask and perhaps one of the experts could respond. I received a bottle of Diorissimo, which I have loved since my childhood years. It appears to be old, not sure if vintage or what. I am confused though because it neither says perfume de toilette nor Eau de toilette, it is definitely the heavier version though in my opinion. What it says is “Concentration Proche du Parfum” and “Esprit de Parfum”, I am not sure I understand which version this would be, does anyone know or have heard of this version before? Perhaps it is because it says in French? Thank in advance for any responses and would definitely appreciate help. I can tell you more about the packaging if you would need more info.
See above…there is some discussion of the Esprit de Parfum here already. I think for Diorissimo, it is essentially the same as Eau de Parfum — that is, stronger than Eau de Toilette, not as strong as pure Parfum or Extrait.
Oh, sorry, will look but thanks very much for your response Robin. Any ideas on how to tell from when in particular my perfume is? Again it does look a few years old but hard to say for sure. Just curious I guess.
I’m so sorry but I don’t know. Apparently at some point they stopped making Esprit de Parfum and started making Eau de Parfum, but I don’t know when that was.
Not a problem, I like it the same:))) Diorissimo is something I will always like I think, I loved it when growing up and still do. Making sure not to use it too often so I do not run out of it in case they stop making it. I prefer the heavier version so I am happy with this but I am sure the EDT is wonderful too for hot weather for example, I do not think I have ever smelled it though.
Any idea where a girl can get her hands on a bottle of Villeresi?
Is this what you mean:
https://nstperfume.com/perfume-houses-k-to-l/lorenzo-villoresi/
Looks like I’m going to have to get my hands on both the PdT now that I read this review since I already am in love with the EdT. I can already hear the cries of my wallet…
I remember reading in a British magazine .. maybe 25 years ago, when Princess Diana was in her 20s…that she loved lily of the valley scent and always wore Diorissimo. Can anyone verify that? I thought it was wonderful that Kate Middleton carried lily of the valley at her wedding, that same beautiful scent.
I have no idea if that’s true, sorry!