In her private office, Mrs. Lauder kept a collection of the rarest, best and most expensive fragrance oils, extracts and essences from every corner of the globe. Over several years, she created a parfum from these precious ingredients that was deeply personal and for herself alone. It was a vision come true of her belief that she, like every woman, deserved the best. One drop and you'll know why Estée Lauder kept it for herself. - From the Estée Lauder web siteIn 1973 Estée Lauder finally released Private Collection to the public. It was a hit and Grace Kelly reportedly wore it.
Private Collection is a gorgeous green/floral chypre and perfect for the spring. It opens with a duet of sweet blossoms and bitter moss. I immediately get the impression of the first flowers of spring struggling to break through the ground. In the heart, I smell green grass and spicy-sharp hyacinths when I sniff closely, but from far away the dominant notes are powdery, earthy and tinged with a dark green pine note. It's a walk in the park in early spring scent. The whole thing is well-blended, smooth and lady like.
I adore Private Collection and when my mini runs out I think I'll buy a full bottle. Unlike some of my other green chypre loves, you can still get this gem today and at a reasonable price.
Nose: Vincent Marcello
Notes: Top: honeysuckle, jasmine, citrus, Middle: orange flower ylang-ylang, coriander Bottom: sandalwood, pachouli
The first time I tried this I felt it was a spring version of the "forest chypre" of Ormonde Jayne Woman (as Tania Sanchez calls it), so I'm glad you mention pine note. I think it comes alive on skin (seems to smell more powdery out of the bottle).
ReplyDeleteI tried this one again two weeks ago after many years of ignoring it. I want it. And I want it now for spring. This is a beautiful, well crafted perfume. Your description is dead on.
ReplyDeleteAnd you can get it with a GWP. Love that :)
Marvelous. The first time I smelled it, I was in an antique store. I opened a mini bottle similar to yours which was on display... and sank slowly to my knees. :)
ReplyDeleteAn extraordinarily beautiful fragrance - love it! And you conveyed it's beauty so well in your review.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could wear PC, but it turns plasticky on me -- I've tried it from different bottles and it's always the same. I have no idea why this happens. But...man, that ad copy from the website! It's funny how the EL company always seemed to want everyone to think that Mrs. Lauder was mixing all the perfumes at home in her bathtub.
ReplyDeleteHi Elisa, i like your description of it being like Ormonde Woman. That is also a favourite of mine.
ReplyDeleteHello eauMg, it is cool that we both fell for it at the same time. But what is GWP?
ReplyDeleteHi Olenska. Was the mini you sniffed vintage? My mini isn't vintage, I just bought it last year, but i like it that it hasn't changed much in all these years. So few perfumes stay the same.
ReplyDeleteHi Susanne, thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Olfacta, EL is funny how they try to preserve that illusion. I think (I hope) that the big companies are starting to stop that now that niche brands and perfume blogs have made it cool to know the names of the perfumers.
ReplyDeleteGWP - Gift with Purchase. I don't care for the contents in them but other people do. I love to give them to someone that doesn't expect them.
ReplyDeleteDid I send you some of this in parfum? Did you get a chance to compare them?
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteCome to me when you run out - I have a fair bit left in a 50 ml bottle that I rarely wear and could do you a generous top up!
Thank you Vanessa! Perfume people are the best.
ReplyDeleteYour description brings it right back to my nose. I love this one, and you're right, it's perfect for spring!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I adore Private Collection. Whenever I wear it, I smile more. It just makes me feel so 'put together' :)
ReplyDelete