Vintage Closet: Fidji by Guy Laroche
April 25th, 2007
Fidji by Guy Laroche came out in 1966 and, according to Perfume Legends (p. 135), “pioneered a new generation of fresh perfumes: Norell (1969), Charlie (1973), Gucci No 1 (1975) and a hundred other fragrances following its lead”. The scent was inspired by the idea of a “happy island” – a mythical, faraway place that fit in very well with the trend of those days to travel to distant lands. The perfumer, Josephine Catapano, was fascinated by L’Air du Temps and wanted to create a modern version of it, “an outstanding floral”, with “an airy feeling” (p.136). Guy Laroche was known to me only for his J’Ai Ose. Back in my high school years, a friend had a bottle, and I’d often beg her to let me spray it. Fidji, on the other hand, despite its vast popularity, had never crossed my path until recently.
In spite of such an exotic name, Fidji is not a cliche tropical scent. It’s an alluring, colorful floral. The initial notes of ylang-ylang, galbanum, and rose are quite boozy and dense, tinged by faint clove. Tuberose and jasmine enter the scene a bit later, adding more oomph and floral sweetness. I must also add Fidji is one of the few perfumes where the green and floral notes are masterfully, seamlessly blended. The galbanum is there but not prominent, giving the fragrance a certain zest and that airy feeling. The drydown is ambery-balsamic, succulent, and blithe. Back in the day, Fidji had a lot of followers, and, sadly, today it seems to be quite obscure and underrated. The parfum version (which I used for this review) is highly superior to eau de toilette and very hard to come by. Although I deeply admire it, for me Fidji doesn’t seem to have any particular emotional connotations. In my imaginary vintage closet, Fidji will solemnly share the shelf with such timeless beauties as Chanel No 19, Lancome Sikkim and Climat, Givenchy III.
Fidji features the notes of galbanum, hyacinth, lemon, ylang-ylang, Bulgarian rose, clove, jasmine, tuberose, iris, spices, ambergris, balsam, musk, patchouli, sandalwood.
Image source: parfumdepub.net
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27 Comments
1. tmp00 | April 26th, 2007 at 12:30 am
Well of course I am instantly lemming this.
Damn, why is there not some sort of scent museum? There’s a museum of everything from bargello to perfume bottles. Why not the actual scents?
2. Divina | April 26th, 2007 at 3:36 am
Fidji is indeed very hard to come by nowadays.. I had forgotten what it smelled like but thankfully got the chance to resample it at Munich airport some months ago, along with many Jean Patou creations I’d never found before. As for Charlie, I still love it, even though it’s considered so cheap now!
3. Judith | April 26th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Tom, there are such places, but they are in France:) The most famous is the Osmotheque at Versailles.
I have only tried vintage Fidji in the EdT (and I liked it)–the parfum sounds great, though not necessarily a “must-have.”
4. newproducts | April 26th, 2007 at 6:48 am
The notes sound fantastic. If only it were easier to find… Thank you for allowing me to vicariously experience it.
5. Elle | April 26th, 2007 at 6:51 am
*Love* Fidji. It makes me feel as if I’m in a fantasy mid-century modern decor world – Richard Neutra home on the Cal. coast, Verner Panton blue and orange chairs, Jens Risom tables…sigh. This is my imaginary comfort world and scents like Fidji are perfect for it.
6. Marina | April 26th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Sounds wonderful. I must find some to retry. I know I have tried, a long, long time ago, but I have no memories of it whatsoever.
7. Solander | April 26th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Givenchy III was one of the vintage minis I got… I wonder if it has turned? It was not a keeper for me…
8. Tigs | April 26th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Was this one of those that was reformulated beyond recognition? They sell Fidji at my local perfume store as well as a nearby department store – I just want to figure out whether it will be a disappointment because it’s a shadow of its former self…
9. Ina | April 26th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Tom, good question. We need those. Lots of them!
10. Ina | April 26th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Divina, I can’t even remember what Charlie smells like. Must smell it soon.
11. Ina | April 26th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Judith, I haven’t smelled the EDT but I hear the parfum is superior.
12. Ina | April 26th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Minsun, part of the reason for my Vintage Closet section is to tell about the obscure vintage scents that aren’t so easy to come by any more, just to give them credit. I don’t own a bottle of Fidji nor ever will.
13. Ina | April 26th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Elle, I wish I got the associations you get or at least something similar. Alas, Fidji for me is just a noteworthy vintage scent.
14. Ina | April 26th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Marina, curious to know what you’ll think of it. I know it was popular when our mothers were younger.
15. Ina | April 26th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Tigs, I believe it has been, like everything else vintage. Sigh.
16. Ina | April 26th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Tove, Givenchy III is not a scent I adore but appreciate, much in the same vein I appreciate Fidji. I couldn’t even wear it, to be honest.
17. Tommasina | April 26th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
My mother used to wear Fidji and Climat, and once had soem Sikkim. She also went through bottles of Poison, Cinnabar, Alliage, Mystere, Magie Noire, Diorissimo, Miss Dior + Opium; but her true loves were, and remain, Femme and Mme Rochas – of which she has both in vtintage formulation, TG!
18. Ina | April 26th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Tommasina, wow! Your mother’s taste is superb!!
19. March | April 27th, 2007 at 6:40 am
Hey — I never made it over here yesterday. This triggered huge nostalgia for me — my best friend’s mother wore this when I was a teenager. To me then, it smelled very chic and exotic, just like her. She was lovely and kind and welcomed me into her home and never seemed to mind how much time I spent there. I have searched for her as an adult to thank her, but have not been able to find her.
Whenever I smell Fidji (and I do occasionally) it conjures up those warm feelings.
20. Ina | April 27th, 2007 at 8:15 am
March, wow! What lovely associations! I’m pretty sure at least one of my mom’s friends wore Fidji but I cannot recall ever smelling it.
21. Tommasina | April 27th, 2007 at 8:47 am
Ina, my parents are actually staying with us, + my mother was amazed that I mentioned her on this blog comment. (They are not very computer-savvy and can’t get their heads around blogs.) She wanted me to add that she also likes Arpege (it was her favorite); but she hasn’t tried the new formulation, so I’m going to remedy that when the breakfast things are cleared…
My father, btw, wears Guerlain Vetiver very well. While they’re here I’m going to try a couple of Creeds on him – though I kind of hope he doesn’t like them bcs they’re so expensive – hah!
22. Ina | April 27th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Tommasina, oh how fun to have your parents there, “participating” in your fragrance hobby!
I have a mini of vintage Arpege, and it’s lovely. I need to resniff the new version. I hear it’s even better, as odd as it sounds. Usually reformulations are inferior but with Arpege it’s not so, apparently. I love Guerlain Vetiver! I also love Vetiver Pour Elle which is pretty much impossible to find. It used to be available at the French duty free shops but it seems to be gone now. Enjoy your visit!
23. Tommasina | April 27th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Hello again. Yes, it’s *mostly* fun…
I’ve not tried Vet Pour Elle though love + wear the so-called men’s version myself. However, the new Arpege I *don’t* like – on me, at any rate. I put it up for swap but have had no serious takers yet…
24. Tommasina | April 27th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Meant to say that I can send you a sample of the new Arpege formulation, if you like. You can MUA me if you want some.
25. March | April 27th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Totally off topic but I *hammered* this guy one day at Nordstrom, trying to get him to buy Arpege Pour Homme, which I think is delicious. I also like the new Arpege, but have never smelled a decent vintage (mine was spoiled) so can’t compare.
26. Ina | April 29th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Tommasina, thank you for your offer but I think I have a sample of it somewhere. I’ll have to dig in my boxes.
27. Ina | April 29th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
March, I love Arpege for men! It’s so underrated.