The note list of Amouage Dia Woman paints a picture of a classic green floral perfume with a creamy sweet base. The actual opening of Dia is also quite aldehydic and uplifting; Dia is heart-achingly pretty, feminine, and just perfect. It's another one of those Amouage gems of the they-don't-make-them-like-that-anymore genre. The only problem? There's already a grander perfume based on this idea in the Amouage line: Gold Woman. As far as I'm concerned, the older Guy Roberts creation trumps the 2002 aquarelle by Jean-Claude Ellena on every front, from longevity to a satisfying dry-down.
But that doesn't take away from the fact that Dia is really really pretty. The smooth floral heart is wonderfully blended together and spells tasteful. There's a powdery phase that quickly turns soapy. I like it a lot, but I can think of about a dozen green floral perfumes that I find more interesting than Dia. Since I probably have enough vintage Caleche in extrait to last for my next two lives, and a good stock of Chamade (though there can never be enough Chamade), I'm saved from coveting Dia too intensely.
Notes: Fig, Cyclamen, Bergamot, Tarragon, Sage, Violet Leaves, Bush Peach Blossoms, Rose Oil, Orange Flower, Peony, Orris, White Musk, Incense, Vanilla, Heliotrope, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Gaiac Wood.
Amouage- Dia Woman ($270, 50ml EDP) is available from Luckyscent, Osswald, MiN NY, Bergdorf Goodman, and select Neiman Marcus locations.
Photo: “Polka Dots on the Lake” 1950’s by Kenneth Heilbron
Gaia, Thanks for a great review - lately, you and I have been on the same Amouage wavelength! I love Dia, especially on a bright Summer day!
ReplyDeleteI thought I read somewhere that Dia was designed to be a 'daytime version' of Gold Woman, which would render the aquarelle feeling (lovely description, btw) relevant (assuming it was done with the notion that Gold might be a bit overpowering for daytime wear. For perfumistas, that might not apply! :-D
xoxoA
I've just never loved this one, tho I treasure many Amouage creations and adore much of JCE's work. It's...aquatic to me. (Is that what you meant by 'aquarelle'? What a lovely word.) I don't like aquatic perfumes at all. But I do love Amouage Gold, so I'll wear that instead of Dia. Not a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI put off buying Dia and Gold for several years and finally realized that half the stuff I was buying was nowhere near this good. Chamade and Caleche are great, I agree, but it's like comparing chamber music to Phil Specter's Wall of Sound. There are times and places for both, I feel. nozknoz
ReplyDeleteI love and own Chamade. I have enough Gold to wear it for a while. And I still felt like something was missing... So I got some Dia as well. Now I'm all set... for a while.
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