The original 1927 formula incredibly corresponded to its musical term - the notes of perfume play their theme alternately. This fragrance was launched in 1927 by perfumers Paul Vacher and and re Fraysse, under the strict supervision of Jeanne Lanvin.

These areas pulse having a temperature above the rest of the body, and this will help the fragrance to evaporate slower. Slowly the spicier side of the perfume, thanks to coriander, providing a great personality, eventually trigger a creamy feel, from the hand of vanilla, amber and musk among others will appear. Though my dogs are Beagles, I can imagine how grand this scent must have been on a perfectly groomed, very elegant, standard poodle. Or for a fictional character, this is what I picture on Alexis Carrington/Colby from Dynasty (the 80’s version).Arpege opens with a delightfully elegant blend of fruity peach and soft sensuous florals including bergamot, honeysuckle, orange tree blossom, lily of the valley and green notes; their delicate sensuality enhanced and refreshed by aldehydes. Or maybe a cream from the 90s/00s, I vividly remember that smell but can't pinpoint it except I remember it being at my grandma's place and not in a bad way. I get the impression that "lacquered wood" quality is alluding to things like grand pianos and the interior of violins and celli, in keeping with the perfume's musical theme. I see in other reviews that some folks have a bad reaction to the very suggestive tones that I like in Arpege. The opening is the hissy sheen of aldehydes; it almost smells like Champagne for a few minutes before it moves into its floral midsection.

My husband and I are older people, and he loves Arpège and other classics on me much more than the newer candy/ambroxan concoctions I wear to work. I don't know how many amber/vanilla drydowns I've smelled in my life, but this is so, so much more refined and original. Fortunately, I did not smell that note off me or get anything animalic aside from a nice inviting warmth. A fragrance of superb elegance, timeless, which in some respects duels at the foil with the contemporary Chanel n 5 of 1921, the differences are quite remarkable for the most demanding olfactory, only the aldehydes and the white floral scents vaguely unite them.Lady Arpege says, I’m soapy, floral with lots of honeysuckle, while little Miss No5 says, I’m bright, sparkling with lots of neroli and ylang. Its association with Chanel no 5 really just lies in the pairing of aldehydes with the typical floral bouquet of jasmine, rose, and ylang ylang. I just don't like Arpège as much as I like L'Heure Bleue or Shalimar lately, in the doldrums of February.