Sonia Rykiel - Rykiel Rose

Let's be clear:  Rykiel Rose from Sonia Rykiel is a fruity floral perfume, and a rosy one at that. It has elements that remind me of Tresor and YSL Paris, but unlike both, I don't find Rykiel Rose objectionable. It has a certain buoyancy that makes the fragrance easy to wear without going into teen or Bath & Body Works territory. Instead, this is a very summery and quite French little pink dress, and who doesn't need one in their wardrobe?

Now, despite the romantic and very pretty image of Nathalie Rykiel, Sonia's daughter, in the perfume ad, don't expect much gravitas from Rykiel Rose. It's not particularly original or complex. It's just an easy-breezy, well-balanced and ultra feminine perfume that doesn't resort to cheap tricks, cotton candy or bubblegum syrup in order to attract and seduce the nose.

Rykiel Rose is not very long-lasting and has a very modest sillage, despite nose-catching notes such as freesia and lychee. I could swear I also smell a hint of candied violet here and there, but it might be a phantom note because of the Paris  association (YSL, not necessarily the city). The dry-down is a little too generic and synthetic to my taste, with that familiar creamy musky wood accord that probably has no real sandalwood to back it up. Still, as far as inoffensive and cute goes, one can do much worse.

Notes: Freesia, Pimento, Lotus, Lychee, Bulgarian Rose, Tea wood, Sandalwood, amber and musk.

Rykiel Rose by Sonia Rykiel seems to have gone out of production, but is very widely available online, usually under $30 for 1.7 oz EDP.

Rykiel Rose perfume ad (2000) from couleurparfum.com.
Runway photo of a Sonia Rykiel dress for Spring/Summer 2009 from style.com.
Sonia Rykiel Spring 2012 campaign photo from the designer's Facebook page.