Underrated Friday: Divine by Divine
To consider Divine by Divine underrated is akin to saying Chanel No 5 is a myth. The nose behind it is Yvon Mouchel in Dinard, France, who used to be a perfume shop owner and later decided to create his own fragrances. That’s about all I know about him (if you happen to know more, feel free to comment). So how come I classified it as underrated? Well, if nothing but for the fact it’s very rarely mentioned and not very well known. I feel like it deserves all the praise I can give it and then some. Let me also add I feel immense pride for recently converting March to be its unadulterated lover which I realize is a utopia when it comes to us, perfume fanatics, but it sounded good together (wishful thinking).
The scent starts out with a pulpy peach note that’s on the verge of smelling like bruised peaches. March at Perfume Posse labeled it as “animalic skank” which I must say I had not noticed before in Divine but now it makes total sense. I find it quite fascinating how animalic/stinky notes make so many perfumes absolutely irresistable. While I don’t get much of animalic action here, a rotting fruit note is definitely present. But don’t you worry, it smells gorgeous nonetheless for the peach is immediately seasoned by coriander, and with other white florals coming into play, namely, gardenia, tuberose, and rose, the whole effect is very much along the lines of the legendary Coco by Chanel (that also combines peach and coriander) - the difference being in that Coco is much spicier and ambery. The white florals are very much subdued in Divine exposing just enough warmth and charm to allow oakmoss to be their partner in crime. And a crime they do commit for they manage to steal my affection before I know it, leaving a most stunning sillage.
For me Divine is a very French perfume. It embodies sophistication, maturity, and class that are so distinctly present in the classics of Guerlain, Jean Patou, Chanel, Piguet. If it were a fabric, it’d most certainly be satin in a deep, opulent color.
I highly recommend to also read another gorgeous review by Cait on Legerdenez.
Divine fragrances are available at The Perfume Shoppe, Luckyscent, Aus Liebe zum Duft, and directly from the Divine online shop.
Image source: www.divine.fr
28 comments August 3rd, 2006