Ocean Dream by Giorgio Beverly Hills c1996

Ocean Dream by Giorgio Beverly Hills, launched in 1996, emerged from a collaborative effort involving Designer Parfums and Proctor & Gamble. This partnership aimed to bring forth a fragrance that would resonate deeply with the essence of southern California, capturing the essence of the region’s iconic beach culture. Crafted by the renowned perfumer Alberto Morillas, Ocean Dream was designed to evoke the serene and invigorating qualities of the ocean, reflecting the omnipresence of the beach in the southern California lifestyle.

Alberto Morillas, known for his ability to create complex and evocative scents, infused Ocean Dream with a fragrance profile that celebrates the coastal allure of the region. The scent was meticulously crafted to encapsulate the fresh, aquatic environment of the beach, blending notes that evoke the feeling of a gentle sea breeze and the beauty of oceanic landscapes. By incorporating elements that resonate with the southern California consciousness, Morillas created a fragrance that was not only a tribute to the physical beauty of the coast but also a sensory representation of the lifestyle and spirit associated with it.

The release of Ocean Dream was more than just the introduction of a new fragrance; it was a celebration of the southern California lifestyle, where the beach is not just a physical place but a cultural touchstone. The fragrance's composition, with its fresh, aquatic, and floral notes, was intended to transport the wearer to the serene and rejuvenating environment of the ocean, capturing the essence of coastal living. This innovative approach to fragrance design, blending artistic creativity with regional inspiration, helped Ocean Dream stand out in the crowded fragrance market, offering a sensory escape to the tranquil beauty of the beach.

The collaboration between Designer Parfums, Proctor & Gamble, and Alberto Morillas was instrumental in bringing Ocean Dream to life, blending expertise in fragrance creation with a deep understanding of the cultural significance of southern California’s beach scene. The result was a fragrance that not only pleased the senses but also resonated with the lifestyle and values of its intended audience, solidifying Ocean Dream as a memorable and evocative addition to the world of perfumery.

The advertising campaign for Ocean Dream by Giorgio Beverly Hills captures the essence of the fragrance's inspiration and allure. The slogan, "If you come very, very close, you can hear the ocean. Ocean Dream by Giorgio Beverly Hills. Let it take you there," invites the consumer into a sensory journey, promising an olfactory escape to the tranquil and serene beauty of the ocean. This evocative message conjures images of gentle waves, soft sand, and a refreshing sea breeze, creating a vivid picture of the peaceful and rejuvenating experience that the fragrance offers.

The packaging of Ocean Dream further enhances this escapism. Encased in iridescent pastel glass, each bottle is designed to resemble a piece of weathered sea glass, as if it has been gently shaped and polished by the waves before being washed ashore. This choice of packaging not only adds a visual appeal but also ties in perfectly with the fragrance's theme, evoking the natural beauty and mystique of the ocean. The pastel hues, shimmering softly in the light, reflect the serene and dream-like qualities of the sea, making the bottle a beautiful and fitting vessel for the scent within.

However, this luxurious experience comes with a price tag. At the higher end, a 0.5 oz bottle of the perfume is priced at $125, placing it in the premium category and appealing to those who seek exclusivity and sophistication in their fragrance choices. For those who may find the perfume itself beyond their budget, the Ocean Dream line offers other options to indulge in the scent. The body wash, priced at $27.50, provides an accessible entry point to the fragrance, allowing consumers to experience its aquatic and floral notes in a more affordable format. Additionally, the line includes a moisturizer and dusting powder, similarly priced to the body wash, offering a variety of ways to layer and enjoy the fragrance throughout the day.

These ancillary products not only provide a more affordable way to experience Ocean Dream but also enhance the longevity and presence of the scent, allowing it to linger and evolve on the skin. This comprehensive range reflects Giorgio Beverly Hills' commitment to creating a complete sensory experience, enveloping the wearer in the refreshing and soothing aura of the ocean. Whether through the premium perfume or the more accessible body care products, Ocean Dream offers a way for consumers to bring a piece of the ocean's tranquility into their daily lives.

Fragrance Composition:

It is classified as a fresh, aquatic fruity floral fragrance for women. Described as 'aquatic-floral', it is composed of ten accords of oceanic and floral notes and is designed to celebrate the lifestyle of southern California.   

• Top notes: bergamot, peach, lemon, oceanic accord, freesia
• Middle notes: pink pearl, aquatic orange blossom, water lily, water heliotrope
• Base notes: oakmoss, blue sea sandalwood, vanilla, blue musk, cedar and vetiver

 

Scent Profile:

As you first encounter Ocean Dream, the fragrance opens with a refreshing burst of fresh and fruity notes, capturing the essence of a breezy day by the ocean. The top notes are a lively blend of bergamot, peach, lemon, and an oceanic accord. The bergamot introduces a sparkling citrus brightness, slightly bitter and aromatic, immediately uplifting your senses. This is followed by the juicy sweetness of peach, adding a soft, succulent quality that tempers the sharpness of the citrus, evoking the sensation of biting into a ripe, sun-warmed fruit. The lemon note contributes a crisp, tangy edge, enhancing the overall freshness with its clean, zesty aroma. Interwoven with these fruity notes is the oceanic accord, an airy and slightly salty scent that evokes the sea breeze, carrying with it a hint of marine freshness that is both invigorating and serene. The addition of freesia, a light and delicate floral note, adds a subtle sweetness and a touch of femininity, rounding out the top notes with its fresh, green floral character.

As the initial freshness begins to soften, the heart of Ocean Dream reveals a unique and captivating blend of aquatic and floral notes, described as "Waterflower" accords. The pink pearl, an aquatic floral note, brings a delicate and ethereal quality, reminiscent of a blooming flower kissed by the morning dew. This is complemented by the aquatic orange blossom, which adds a fresh, citrusy floral note with a slight hint of sweetness, capturing the essence of orange groves near the sea. The water lily, indigenous to the North China Sea, introduces a serene and tranquil aroma, with its soft, watery floral scent that evokes the calm and peaceful beauty of a lily-covered pond. The water heliotrope, a rare flower found in warm Pacific waters, adds a subtle, powdery sweetness with a hint of almond-like warmth. Together, these middle notes create a beautifully balanced and harmonious blend that captures the tranquil and romantic spirit of the ocean, evoking the feeling of floating on gentle waves surrounded by the scents of water flowers.

As Ocean Dream settles into its base, the fragrance takes on a deeper, more grounded character, reflecting the calming and rejuvenating aspects of the ocean. The base notes are a rich and sensual blend of oakmoss, blue sea sandalwood, vanilla, blue musk, cedar, and vetiver. The oakmoss introduces an earthy, slightly green note that adds depth and complexity, reminiscent of the forested cliffs overlooking the sea. This is enhanced by the unique "blue sea sandalwood," which offers a smooth, creamy woody aroma with a subtle aquatic twist, providing a soft and comforting foundation. The vanilla adds a touch of sweetness, softening the woody notes and adding a warm, inviting quality. The blue musk contributes a delicate, powdery softness, with a hint of marine freshness that lingers beautifully on the skin. The cedar adds a dry, woody aspect, grounding the fragrance with its clean and resinous scent, while the vetiver brings an earthy, slightly smoky quality, reminiscent of the ocean's depths. The drydown of Ocean Dream is a luxurious blend of warm woods, soft musk, and gentle sweetness, leaving a lasting impression that is both serene and captivating. This fragrance truly captures the essence of the ocean, offering a sensory journey that celebrates the romance, passion, tranquility, and rejuvenation inspired by the sea.

Bottle:

The fragrance Ocean Dream is beautifully encapsulated in a collection of bottles that truly embody the essence and allure of its name. Each bottle in this collection is a unique piece of art, crafted with meticulous attention to detail to enhance the overall experience of the fragrance. The bottles are offered in four distinct shapes, each adorned in dream-like colors of soft coral, green, blue, and magenta, reflecting the diverse and vibrant hues of the ocean. These colors are not just ordinary; they are achieved through a special process of adding minerals or metal oxides to the molten glass, resulting in rich, luminous shades that capture the eye and evoke the mystical beauty of the sea.

The design choice of using iridescent sea glass for these bottles is particularly evocative, as it brings to mind the weathered, frosted appearance of glass pieces that have been smoothed and polished by the waves over time. This sea glass finish gives the bottles a delicate, ethereal quality, as if they have been gently washed ashore, carrying with them the whispers of the ocean. The iridescence of the glass adds a captivating shimmer, reflecting light in a way that mimics the play of sunlight on the water's surface, creating a soft, glowing effect that enhances the visual appeal of the bottles.

Maddocks & Company, the designers behind these exquisite bottles, ensured that each piece was molded one at a time and finished by hand, emphasizing the artisanal quality and uniqueness of each bottle. This hand-crafted approach not only added a luxurious touch but also increased the per-bottle cost significantly, reflecting the commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The bottles' luxurious and tactile design adds an extra layer of experience to the fragrance, inviting the wearer to indulge in the sensory journey that Ocean Dream promises. From the moment one holds the bottle, the iridescent colors and the smooth, sea glass texture evoke a sense of tranquility and wonder, perfectly complementing the fresh, aquatic, and floral notes of the fragrance contained within.

Fate of the Fragrance:

By 1999, Ocean Dream, the enchanting aquatic-floral fragrance that captured the essence of the ocean, seemed to fade from the market. Its discontinuation marked the end of an era for many fans who cherished its unique blend of fresh, fruity, and floral notes, as well as its captivating bottle design. The fragrance, originally brought to life by Giorgio, had become a beloved scent that evoked memories of the sea and the carefree lifestyle associated with it.

However, the story of Ocean Dream didn't end there. The rights to the name were acquired by Designer Parfums Ltd., a company based in the United Kingdom. They took on the mantle of reproducing the fragrance, aiming to continue its legacy and appeal to a new generation of fragrance lovers. Despite these efforts, the new version of Ocean Dream has faced mixed reviews from those who fondly remember the original scent. Many loyal fans have noted that the reformulated fragrance lacks the distinctive qualities that made the original so memorable.

The challenge of recreating such a beloved fragrance often lies in the subtle nuances and specific ingredients that may no longer be available or were unique to the original formulation. The new version, while still echoing the theme of Ocean Dream, may not perfectly capture the same olfactory experience that so many cherished. This has led to a sense of nostalgia and longing among fans, who continue to seek out vintage bottles of the original fragrance, hoping to relive the sensory journey that it once provided.

The differences noted in online reviews highlight the complexities and challenges in maintaining the integrity of a fragrance when it changes hands or undergoes reformulation. Whether due to changes in ingredient sourcing, differences in production techniques, or simply the passage of time affecting perception, the new Ocean Dream is seen as a different scent altogether. This shift serves as a reminder of the delicate balance involved in fragrance creation and the deep emotional connections that scents can evoke, making the original Ocean Dream a cherished memory for those who experienced it during its peak.