Gianfranco Ferre by Gianfranco Ferre c1984

"Gianfranco Ferre" by Gianfranco Ferre made its debut in 1984. It marked the entrance of the renowned Italian fashion designer into the realm of fragrances. Partnering with Diana de Silva and distributing through Alfin Fragrances in the U.S. was a strategic move to ensure wider reach and visibility for the brand. This fragrance line aimed to capture the essence of Ferre's sophisticated and elegant style, translating it into a sensory experience through scent.

The first perfume by Ferre reportedly took two years to create. Ferre himself was involved at every stage of the creation of the fragrance  - the scent, the packaging and visual interpretation. He set a goal for the perfumers: "I want to adorn women with an enveloping perfume that is rich, sensual and provocative, enhancing the key elements of great femininity," he told them.

The meticulous attention to detail and Ferre's personal involvement in every aspect of the fragrance's creation underscores his commitment to excellence. His vision for the perfume, as expressed to the perfumers, aimed to capture the essence of feminine allure and sophistication.

The European launch party was held in a Renaissance palace situated in the shadow of a famous Milan cathedral. Lucky guests nibbled on haute cuisine and entertained by sensual tango dancers. The choice of venue for the European launch party, suggests a setting that echoed the timeless elegance and artistic inspiration that characterized Ferre's designs.

In 1984, Gianfranco Ferre traveled from Milan, Italy to make a personal appearance at the launch of his signature fragrance, Ferre, at the Robinson's Beverly Hills department store. The launch party, co-hosted by Robinson's and The Group, a support organization for Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design to help raise money for scholarships to the school.

The transatlantic journey to Beverly Hills for the launch at Robinson's department store showcased Ferre's dedication to reaching an international audience. The collaboration with The Group to support scholarships for the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design adds a philanthropic dimension to the event, aligning with Ferre's commitment to nurturing talent and creativity in the arts.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is a oriental woody floral fragrance for women. "The top notes: lily of the valley, ylang ylang with touches of tuberose and jasmine. The middle notes: blue flower leaves, and neroli add green notes. The base notes: a rich mix of mosses, spices and musk."

• Top notes: green notes, orange blossom, coriander, mimosa, peach, passion fruit, hyacinth, ylang ylang, bergamot
• Middle notes: lily of the valley, tuberose, honeysuckle, violet, butterbush, Zanzibar carnation, Egyptian jasmine, mandarin, orange, orchid, orris root, rose, narcissus
• Base notes: spices, oakmoss, Java vetiver, vanilla, Mysore sandalwood, ambergris, Tonkin musk, benzoin, civet, cedar

Ferre by Gianfranco Ferre is a true olfactory journey, blending a rich tapestry of floral, fruity, and woody notes to create a complex and sophisticated fragrance.

The inclusion of aldehydes in the top notes adds a fresh and sparkling quality, setting the stage for the floral bouquet that follows. The combination of bergamot, delicate lily of the valley, ylang-ylang, Egyptian jasmine, soapy Bulgarian rose, mimosa, dewy violet, iris, and other florals creates a lush and intricate floral composition. Succulent fruity accents from peach and passionfruit add a juicy sweetness to the mix while the spice of cassia adds warmth. 

At the heart of the fragrance, orange blossom, narcotic tuberose, pittosporum, tender wisteria, and the piquant Zanzibar carnation mingle to form a rich and spicy floral accord, enhanced with touches of honey. 

The smouldering warmth of amber and Tonkin musk, paired with the creamy richness of Indian sandalwood and vanilla, adds depth and sensuality to the fragrance. Civet provides a warm, animalic, aroma. The earthiness of Java vetiver, the resinous quality of Somalian opoponax, and the sweet balminess of Siamese benzoin provide a solid base for the composition. 

Overall, Ferre by Gianfranco Ferre appears to be a sophisticated and multifaceted fragrance that embodies the designer's vision of enhancing femininity with richness, sensuality, and provocation.

Bottles:

Presented in a bottle designed by Pierre Dinand in 1984. The bottle was manufactured by three different companies: Pochet et du Courval, Saint Gobain Desjonqueres and R. Bormioli.

The collaboration between Gianfranco Ferre and Pierre Dinand for the design of the fragrance bottle underscores the attention to detail and aesthetics that were integral to the brand's identity. Dinand, a renowned French bottle designer, has crafted iconic bottles for numerous luxury fragrance brands.

The involvement of three different manufacturing companies—Pochet et du Courval, Saint Gobain Desjonqueres, and R. Bormioli—reflects the complexity and precision required in bringing Ferre's vision to life. Each company likely contributed its expertise in glassmaking to ensure the quality and integrity of the final product.

The choice of multiple manufacturers may also speak to the scale of production and the need to meet demand while maintaining the high standards expected of a luxury fragrance brand like Gianfranco Ferre. Overall, the collaboration between Ferre, Dinand, and these esteemed manufacturing companies likely resulted in a bottle design that complemented the fragrance's elegance and sophistication.

Available in the following:

• 1 oz Eau de Toilette Spray
• 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette Spray
• 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette Splash
• 1.7 oz Body Lotion
• 6.6 oz Body Lotion
• 6.6 oz Dusting Powder

Fate of the Fragrance:

Gianfranco Ferre is still being produced, although it has suffered from reformulations. It's common for fragrances, especially longstanding ones like Gianfranco Ferre, to undergo reformulations over time due to various factors such as changes in regulations, availability of ingredients, or evolving consumer preferences. These reformulations can sometimes alter the scent profile or longevity of the fragrance.

While reformulations can be disappointing for fans of a particular scent, they're often necessary to ensure compliance with regulations, sustainability practices, and to address any issues related to ingredient sourcing or availability. However, manufacturers typically strive to retain the essence and character of the original fragrance as much as possible.

Despite any reformulations, Gianfranco Ferre remains a beloved brand in the world of perfumery, cherished for its timeless elegance and sophistication. Fans of the fragrance may find that while it may have evolved over the years, it still retains much of the charm and allure that made it iconic in the first place.