Hiya Posse! If you’re a regular reader then you know how much I love the DIOR prive collection. Vanilla Diorama was on the wishlist for a while. I’m not spending enormous amounts on perfume this year because there is so much travel going on. There’s only so much disposable income at hand. Knowing this, a wonderful girlfriend bought me a surprise 40ml! Getting such a lavish gift that I really wanted was pure heaven. Also, the size is enough to last years at the rate I go through bottles. So happy.
Vanilla Diorama by DIOR 2021
Fragrantica gives these featured accords::
Top: Orange, Pink Pepper, Lemon
Heart: Rum, Cacao, Cardamom
Base: Bourbon Vanilla, Sandalwood, Patchouli
Vanilla Diorama is beautiful. So beautiful that I decided it would be the scent of 55 for my birthday this week. Yep, 55! While not a zero birthday it still feels like a significant milestone. So wearing a gift makes sense.
The opening of Vanilla Diorama is what I imagine a choc orange liqueur would smell like. Add to that the distinct pink pepper fizz. What a wonderful open, sadly it lasts only a couple of minutes before the vanilla comes through and steals centre stage. A dry, patchouli rich vanilla with boozy/chocolate underpinnings. So if it’s bakery you’re after then you’ll be bitterly disappointed. The fragrance I find it most paralleling with, though not the same. No, sorry, I have to stop myself there. TWO fragrances, parallels but not the same, Jacomo Art Series #2 and Queen Latifa Queen. Imagine these two but done with DIOR Panache and in a low key mode.
You know, we all talk about smelling like the rich. This is EXACTLY the kind of scent that makes me think of the wealthy. Labelled, understated, comes in a simple bottle and has tremendous lasting power. It’s the kind of thing the wearer notices and anyone they allow close, within their sphere.
Dry down is a clean patchouli, slightly rubbery with that modern, dry yet creamy combination of vanilla and ever so slightly green sandalwood.
Is it groundbreaking? No. Did they do it better. My answer is yes. Vanilla Diorama is a gem that’s come out of the DIOR Prive range. If you look hard enough there are still a few beauties that have survived the cheapening and dumbing down of the range.
Surrender To Chance has samples if you’d like to try it at home.
Did you get your sniff one Vanilla Diorama yet?
Portia x
You’re 55?!? You young whippersnapper, you! <3 This sounds absolutely scrumptious. I also love those bottles, so much quiet luxury. As I mentioned earlier this week I love to think about whether a brand’s fragrance offerings seem to line up in a sensible way. These clearly do. I’m overdue for an order to StC, hmmmmm…
HA HA HA HA HA!
They have had a few really beautiful and interesting releases in the last couple of years. This, Tobacolor, Spice Blend, Eden Roc, and Oud Rosewood. The latest is Dioriviera, A very nicely put together cologne reminiscent beauty (even if it’s nothing particularly new, and ridiculously overpriced for what it is). All worth at least a sniff.
Portia xx
Happy 55th birthday Portia dear! What a marvelous gift! Love a lux, classy scent like that, though vanilla- centric scents are not my fav. I enjoyed reading your review. Have a grand celebration of your mid-decade!
Thanks Dina,
The birthday continues today. Lunch with a friend at our AGNSW. This year I’m trying to see people in small batches instead of a party.
Portia x
I have been very curious about this one for a while now. You just brought it to the front again. I will should check it out, but after I do Ylang in Gold.
HA! Maya, there are SO MANY on the list it has become impossible for me to keep up and I just sniff what I can get my hands and nose on as they become available.
Portia xx
Happy birthday! 55 was a hard one for me, it made me feel officially Old. But I got over it. I’m sure 65 will be worse. Anyway, I love Vanilla Diorama and have the big honker bottle. That and Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille are my favorite vanillas.
Hey there TaraC,
I did all my age melting down at 35, now I’m grateful to have continued existence so far beyond many of my friends and relatives. Now I’m living to keep them and with our shared memories going.
OMG! I am SOOOOOO excited that you got the 250ml, that’s bloody cool.
Portia xx
Did we smell this in London? I can’t remember — too many perfumes. That is a wonderful gift. What a great friend. It’s autumn and I think I need to be investigating some more vanillas.
Hey Cinnamon,
Maybe we did? It might have been there before it arrived here. If it was then I blame you entirely for my wanting it so badly.
Portia xx
I’m glad you wrote StC has samps- I was seriously lemming. But I think these are only available at the boutique?
YAY Tom. glad to have inspired you.
The boutiques, major department store flagships and duty free in the bigger airports. They also have DIOR Beauty stores like the CHANEL ones that sell them too.
Portia xx