Hi there Posse. Fantasia de Fleurs is alleged to have been created for Empress Sisi of Austria (1837-98). I was living in London back in the 1990s . David, one of my mates I was at ballet school with, was a soloist in the Vienna Stat Oper Ballet. We would meet in each others cities, catch each others shows and get crazy in the clubs. Austria had way less English speakers in the 90s. Especially for a crazy Aussie kid to chat to during the day/evening times while David was in class, rehearsal or performing. Consequently I spent a lot of time happily exploring Vienna on my own.
Empress Sisi’s story was much less Disney-ised back then. She was seen back then as crazy, selfish, vain coot with a pretty face and incredible hair. She took half a day just to get ready to leave her chambers. The emphasis was on her lack of doing the royal job and more on the exercise, travel, horse riding and other stuff she did as procrastination and fleeing from the amazing life of an empress. Now she is presented a damaged beauty with mental problems exacerbated by her thrust into the spotlight as wife of the Emperor. Her problems, brazenness and charismatic wielding of beauty to win her battles captured me. Every visit I religiously toured her city palace rooms and country house Shonnbrun. Her books and biographies were constant companions and I loved her.
Fantasia de Fleurs by Creed
Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot
Heart: Bulgarian rose, Iris
Base: Ambergris, Iris
Fantasia de Fleurs had been created for Empress Sisi? (I think it may just be ad copy rather than reality). A bottle was ordered blind in a fabulous sale very early on in my fall down the perfumed rabbit whole.
Jammy Bulgarian rose is the leading protagonist. A full bodied rose that smells like you’ve fresh picked one from the garden at dawn. You’ve buried your nose in its cold, dewy, powdery petals. Then you multiply that scent by one thousand. Add a little touch of dry, earthy, rooty iris to balance it. Add unnoted white flowers, some leafy greenery, a touch of narcissus, tropical ylang and vanilla. Then drizzle the whole lot over the warm, slightly salty depth of ambergris and voila, Fantasia de Fleurs.
Soliflors aren’t generally in fashion much nowadays. It’s easy to see why we don’t read much about something as dated and simple as Fantasia de Fleurs but if you want to smell a pose so pure and glorious. A rose that is sweet and comfortable and doesn’t have that sour edge so often associated with it fragrance. This could be something you’ll love.
Projection and longevity are moderate. I find Fantasia de Fleurs very fragrant for about an hour before it softens considerably. Leaning towards traditional feminine perfumery but don’t let that stop you gents.
Ann loved Creed Aberdeen Lavender too
Do you havea story about a Creed, a rose or Fantasia de Fleurs? Share in the comments below.
Portia xx
I adore Fantasia de Fleurs, and will wear it today. Thank you for the beautiful review and reminder Portia. I purchased Fantasia in the early 90’s. At the time, very much my perfume style and way above my price range found at a small boutique in Denver’s Cherry Creek (before internet deals could be found!). I loved it so much at first sniff that I handed over all of my money. The bottle is still 2/3 full and I rarely wear it with all of the other perfume distractions.
I was in Vienna as a child and it felt magical! xx
Oops, I meant early 2000s, not 90s
Hey Kathleen,
YAY! I love that we both have this beauty. As you can see mine doesn’t get a HUGE amount of wear either. I reach for Mohur when the rose thing takes me, it’s right by my desk.
Vienna! Magical is right.
Portia xx
I’d love to go to Vienna! Maybe someday…
I’ve tried a number of Creeds, but the only one I’ve loved – and I love it a LOT – is White Amber. Just a bit out of a teacher’s price range, however. :-/
Hey MaggieCat,
OOOH! I never heard of, or tried obviously, White Amber. Tell me about it. Sounds good just from the name. Is it all about ambergris?
Vienna is definitely worth a visit. It gorgeous, small, easy to get around and not as full of tourists as the big name capitals. The galleries and museums are chock full of interest and the food is yum.
Portia xx
This sounds lovely, although probably not my sort of thing. Vienna, however, is very much my sort of thing. I took a trip there years ago on a whim and had a fantastic time– the city’s so walkable and the public transport is so great!
Hey March,
When all this C19 is over, how about we meet up in Vienna? Get the Posse together over there! We can wander, eat, art and architecture to our hearts content.
Portia xx
What a great review Portia! This sounds so pretty. I love those notes. And ballet in Vienna, Austria…wow, could anything be more romantic and dreamy? I used to be a ballet student in my college days, and I loved it. It was part of my theatre-voice-dance regimen back then. Thanks for this blast from the past!
Hey DinaC,
Thanks.
Sometimes I look back on how lucky my life has been and it seems like a movie. I was fully aware of my good fortune though and milked every moment for memories. Vienna has ever since been my favourite city.
Portia xx