Gold Issime

Gold Issime by Ulric de Varens, from 2000, is a classic powdery floral in the old-fashioned feminine style. Floral is the word everyone uses for it, with a minority also finding it musky or fresh.

Rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang form the core, a full, rounded bouquet: rose for softness, jasmine for richness, ylang-ylang for a creamy, slightly banana-like sweetness. Orange blossom and African orange flower add a sunny, honeyed brightness, and violet a sweet, faintly candied softness. Aldehydes give the sparkling, slightly soapy lift that marks traditional French perfumery, while rice and powdery notes make the whole thing soft, dusty and comforting, like a face-powder compact.

This is a fragrance for women who enjoy vintage-leaning florals and the warmth of powder rather than modern fruit or sugar. It suits cooler days and dressed occasions, and will feel familiar to anyone who grew up around aldehydic classics.

Gold Issime — for women fragrance by Ulric de Varens (released 2000). Notes: African Orange Flower, Aldehydes, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Powdery Notes, Rice, Rose, Violet, Ylang-Ylang. — Parfica open fragrance database