Fragrant Awakenings: Divine Parfums”Divine” (Yvon Mouchel/Richard Ibenaz) 1986 + In Search of the Ideal Gardenia Perfume Draw

gardenia vintage corsage

Vintage photo pinning a gardenia corsage 1950s

As a child and adolescent I wore uniforms every day for 12 years, elementary though high school. Wearing a uniform basically eliminates one entire mode of self-expression – clothing!  Even shoes and the color and height of our socks were prescribed and the length of skirts monitored.  It was possible to add a little visual interest with hair ornaments or discrete jewelry but, for all intents and purposes, as a child and adolescent I was bereft of fashion.   I have yet to recover from this deprivation. Even today I maintain a closet full of identical clothing and wear the same dowdy look day after day. 

fidji-by-guy-laroche-1966-vintage-ad

Vintage Ad for Guy Laroche Fidji 1970

In my early teens, in order to add some sort of individuality and fashion sense to my life, I turned to fragrance.  I loved what my mother wore.  Lanvin Spanish Geranium, the old Tuvache Jungle Gardenia, Bat-Sheba, Dioressence, Lucien Lelong Sirocco and many others. I had a little collection of my own including several 60s Coty fragrances as well as Tabu by Dana and Paco Rabanne Calandre.  In the 70s when I was grown up and far away from home I belatedly discovered Guy Laroche Fidji – the fragrance love of my life.   But my interest in perfume did not really qualify as an obsession until one fateful day in the late 1980s.

gardenia dress  todd murphy

Gardenia dress  Todd Murphy 

While attending a meeting of music teachers, I noticed an incredible scent.  The woman next to me, a new member of our group, was wearing a fresh, ethereal, aldehydic white floral fragrance, at once slightly fruity, spicy and a tiny bit vanillac.  As I recall I kept leaning toward her taking deep breaths of her wonderful perfume.  I don’t know why, perhaps I was shy (I doubt that) or maybe I started to pay attention to what was going on at the boring meeting – for whatever reason I did not ask about her fragrance and I never saw her again.

woman-with-gardenia-illustration

Via instagram.com

 I imagine our group was too dull for her good taste.  Whatever the reason, I was left with only the memory of her gorgeous scent. My unspoken question proved to be a turning point  – a fragrance awakening  of sorts – and the beginning of an almost 30 year search for a mysterious, divine white floral, a quest that would cost me countless hours and dollars as I tried and tried again to track down what I remembered as my ideal gardenia

Aline Weber by Liz Collins for Numéro #132 vogue white floral couture

Aline Weber by Liz Collins for Numéro #132 vogue 

As a result of this journey a major component of my large collection of fragrance revolves around gardenia and tuberose.  I would buy and then reject, as not quite right, so many fragrances.  As I continued my search for the divine I learned a lot about gardenias, the varieties, the aroma chemicals used to recreate their perfumes as well as methods for extracting the natural scent from the petals.  I discovered some real beauties that remain favorites, Chanel Gardenia, Versace Blonde, Annick Goutal Gardenia Passion and Songes among others. However luscious, not one of these lovelies was the fragrance I remembered and I had pretty much reconciled myself to the fact that I would never find what I was looking for. 

fashion-editorial-gardenia cafleurebon

Aline Weber by Liz Collins for Numéro #132 vogue  fused with gardenia flowers

But, as fate would have it, in 2016, just few weeks ago, a dear friend sent me a decant from her bottle of Divine Divine EdP My initial impression after sniffing the sprayer was of salty, skanky, vaguely indolic flowers, but with the first spritz I had no doubt that my long search was finally over.  The fresh peach, the bright, soapy aldehydes, the lightest of fresh gardenias, cool, effervescent jasmine, spice, vanilla, sandalwood – it was all there – Divine, the stuff of dreams and memories.

Gail Gross, Sr. Contributor

Art Direction: Michelyn

divine-parfums-divine

Thanks to Yvon Mouchel we have a draw for a registered reader in the EU, USA and Canada (you need to do this or you are ineligible) for 50 ml bottle of Divine EDP.  To be eligible, please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Gail’s Fragrant Awakening, where you live, if you recently discovered a niche fragrance that has been around for many years and if you have a favorite Parfums Divine fragrance. Draw closes 10/12/2016

Please Like CaFleureBon Fragant Awakenings on Facebook to have your comment count twice

You can read our reviews ofSpirituelle, L’Homme Infini and L’Être Aimé Femme on DivineParfums Press  page here

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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40 comments

  • Thanks for the lovely review, Gail! ” The stuff of dreams and memories” sounds intriguing. Gardenias in perfume makes me happy.

    I have not tried any Parfums Divine. (EU)

  • Miss Sunshine says:

    I’m looking forward to trying this! I absolutely love Chanel Gardenia and AG Gardenia Passion, the description of Divine sounds great!

    I’ve never tried Divine perfumes before. Thank you for the draw! I live in Europe.

  • This perfume sounds divine! Gail’s review reminds me of my search for the perfect rose. I don’t believe there is one, unfortunately, that smells like a fresh wild rose. I am glad she finally found her perfect gardenia. I am in the USA.

  • “The stuff of dreams and memories” sounds great. Gardenia is one of the most sensual flower and I have to have at least one gardenia scent in my wardrobe (currently it’s Gardenia by Demeter Fragrance).

    I haven’t tried any Divine perfumes yet and I’m excited having the opportunity to discover one of them. As for my fragrant awakenings, I’ve only recently discovered Tea for Two and it was a big “wow – what a unique scent!).

    (EU)

  • I hope this Divine Divine (what a great name!) smells as good on me as the fragrance on Gail’s mystery scented woman!
    I have not yet tried Divine fragrance.

  • Her recollection of her youth.

    I’ve never tried Divine perfumes before. I’m in Canada.

  • Gail, sounds like you have had and are still having a wonderful perfume journey and you found the magic that started it all. Divine Divine is lovely and I really really like Divine L’ame Soeur which I first heard about here at Cafleurebon. USA.

  • MikasMinion says:

    I was always soooo envious of my friends who went to Catholic school because they got to wear uniforms, but I can see how it would cramp ones style.
    My favorite Divine is L’ame Soeur but I haven’t tried them all and didn’t realize there was a gardenia. I’m in the US.

  • Gail’s experience with this long lost scent is identical to my experience with a song played for me once by a boyfriend, which I tried fruitlessly to find for many years after we broke up – and only rediscovered five years later when we got back together and he happened to play it again. I still remember a time I walked by a woman in the street who smelled great, but I didn’t have the courage to ask her what she wore and I still regret it! Anyway, I don’t have a fave Parfums Divine fragrance – yet! I live in Canada.

  • My reaction to Gails’ revelation is wondering if this is a bittersweet victory? I too have searched for-and found-Holy Grails but have found it unable to keep trying for that next “hit.” I live in Minnesota and have never tried a Divine fragrance but would love to.

  • I love spirituelle it’s one of my favorites but I never tried Divine. The niche perfume that took me years to try was Sage Machado onyx and I use it all the time
    I love white florals too and definitely could relate to GAIL
    Living in the US

  • fazalcheema says:

    Gail has such an interesting story. If she wore Calandre, it’s checkmate. I have and love calandre. I kept hoping Gail would find what that woman was wearing in the music class because it really bugs you when you smell a wonderful perfume and never know. One of the niche brands I experienced recently is Profumum Roma as I read about the everlasting lemon scent from them called Aqua Viva and had to get it. I have two bottles from Parfums Divine of which my favorite is L’Homme de Coeur. I am in the US.

  • Lovely review! I am constantly looking for “a perfect *** scent”. Now it is a search for the prettiest lily after I finished my last bottle of Escada Lily Chic.
    I have never tried Divine fragrances and I would love to try this one. I am in the EU, thanks 🙂

  • Nice for choosing fragrance as an express form for being different and impose your own personality.
    One of the latest discoveries for me is Heeley Sel Marin.
    I live in Europe.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    What a nice Story for your olfactory awakening. my favourite Gardenia until now is Sotto la Luna Gardenia by Andy Tauer. From Divine I like best L’etre aime, the title alone is already beatifull, but the scent is extremly fine and nice.

    Thanks for the draw!

    I live in the EU.

  • Wonderful review. And of course I have liked the Cafleurebon Fragrant Awakening on facebook. Unfortunately I have never had a chance to try any of Parfums Divine fragrance, and I have never tried any perfume with gardenia, so I would very love to try this perfume. It sounds incredibly beautiful. Thank you for the draw. I live in the EU.

  • Great story and personal confession of finding of the fragrance from memories. I am are so similar to Gail. I am not shy but never asked anybody who wore a beautiful fragrance. And I always later considered it as a mistake. Congrats Gail! I ve never tried any of Divine fragrances. I am in EU. Thanks

  • Wonderful review! I too wore Fidji and still love it to bits. The search for the perfect gardenia is a journey for me as well! I haven’t had the pleasure of trying any of the Parfums Divine but now I will definitely try t osample as amny as possible! I am in the UK

  • What a lovely review. Great read, thank you Gail!

    My unexpected discovery of a niche beauty was Bois de Paradis by Delrae. How is it possible that I have missed only this one from all the DelRae perfumes? And it’s the one I love most now.

    I’d love to try Divine. My favorite fragrance from this house is L’Ame Soeur. Thanks for the draw! I live in the EU.

  • “In my early teens, in order to add some sort of individuality and fashion sense to my life, I turned to fragrance.” – that’s me! I started with very strone, non-teenager orients like Obsession by CK and I wear them to this day. It’s easier to express myself through perfume than by wearing any other think like jewellery, makeup or extravagant clothes.

    My favorite fragrance by Divine is L’Homme de Coeur (what a cute name). Wonderful draw, thank you! I’m in the EU.

  • My first thought was that I am often looking for scents similar to some perfumes I can remember from my childhood or younger years, mainly old-fashionned single notes: a fresh lilac, lily of the valley, magnolia. I hope I will find them one day.

    I’ve never tried Divine fragrances. I live in Poland, EU.

  • Miss Almond says:

    I love the story. Fragrant awakenings are always so fascinating. I’ve just discovered a true niche A La Nuit (Serge Lutens) and I’m in love!

    I’d love to try Divine Divine. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • I love this story. So nice that it has a happy ending! I completely understand the hunt for the perfect perfume based on a particular note. I get a bit obsessed with notes and try to experience all the perfumes I can find that contain it. I haven’t found any niche perfumes recently, but I did order a vintage decant of Calèche. I’m very excited to try the original version of that classic beauty! I live in Canada, thanks.

  • As a child of the south gardenia holds a tight grip on my summer memories. Both my mom and grandmother grew them and it’s been a scent in perfume I wear (Chanel) but not one I’ve thought of as true gardenia, like Gail. Her description gives me hope that Divine Divine could be what I’m looking for. I look forward to trying it whether I win the draw or not.

  • I tried a few gardenia fragrances, but gave up. My grandmother had gardenia plants which actually made me sneeze every time I walked up her driveway. I miss that fragrance now. So I am curious to try this one. My favorite niche that’s been around a long time is Berdoues. I recently purchased their new Vanir Moorea and love it. I should have thought to have my daughter wear fragrance that (in her words) torturous year she had to wear a uniform to school. I did however sew blue ribbon trims on her plain khaki skirt to give it some pizzazz. thanks for the draw.

  • This fragrance sounds delicious. I love gardenia note, Annick Goutal Gardenia Passion is my favorite. I’ve never heard of Divine perfumes before and I’d love to try this one. Thank you for the draw, I live in the EU.

  • I love this story of a long search fora remembered scent, fascinating! I sometimes have phantom memories of long ago scents, and wonder if I would still like them today, if suddently presented with them. I am very familiar with the Divine line. I own both L’Infante and L’Inspiratrice. They are very opposite type scents,one pretty and young, the other much more seductive. They are a will done line who don’t seem to get a lot of attention or create many waves. I can’t remember what Divine perfume smells like, sampled it long ago. But Gayle makes it sound very alluring!I’d love to also own Divine! Thanks for the draw. USA

  • Congratulations on actually finding what you were searching for! I hope it continues to be everything you remember. I only went to parochial school for a couple of years, and while I don’t recall minding the uniform, my mother apparently chafed under the restrictions. At least twice, I was sent home following her attempts to push the envelope regarding sock color. I just recently tried Amouage Gold Woman for the first time–it is pretty spectacular. Divine is one of those brands I have heard great things about, but haven’t had a chance to try yet. I’m in the US.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    What a marvelous review. I really enjoy reading, thanks Gail! Happy ending of a great story and Thanks for awakening me about this fragrance. If there is Carnal Flower there is a Divine too. This fragrance sounds great, immediately got my attention and I love wearing powerful and seductive floral fragrances. My favorite Divine perfume is Divine L’Homme Sage.
    Thanks to Yvon Mouchel for the generosity & participating in the draw by giving my relative address of NY, USA.

  • Thanks for the wonderful review Gail and I relate to your pursuit! I had a similar experience with a scent that my math teacher wore that I had to have, but I didn’t have the nerve to ask her what she was wearing. Several of the ladies in my mother’s social circle wore it ( a definite no), a woman at my church wore it, and my hairdresser wore it. I finally found it in college and it was Clinique Aromatics Elixir. I love Chanel’s Gardenia. I haven’t tried anything by Divine. I live in the US and thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • My relationship with gardenia note is a tough one. I love smelling the fresh flower, but somehow I find every gardenia perfume too overwhelming. So I am looking for a true gardenia flower scent and I hope I’ll success one day. Is Divine going to be my precious find?
    I live in the EU. Thanks for so interesting article!

  • Love the notes in this one. Seems like such a pleasant and inviting fragrance. I also think the presentation is awesome. I haven’t tried any fragrances from this house, so I’m very interested. I’m in Canada and thanks for the draw.

  • What a beautiful ad of Fidji, I love this perfume. Sadly it has been reformulated, but I still have the vintage version which I adore.
    I often search for my perfect fragrance, it is usually rather complicated: I don’t know exactly what I am looking for, just waiting until some newly discovered perfume really speaks to me. My latest discovery was Black Tourmaline.
    Thank you for so nice draw. EU.

  • Oh and I really love the bottle of Divine! I am a huge fan of simple metal perfume bottles <3

  • cinnamon tree says:

    I love this kind of stories. I’ve had many fragrant awakenings, I’ve just discovered Portrait of a Lady by Malle for myself and it’s gorgeous. I’d like to try Divine scents because I haven’t had the opportunity yet. I’d love to test this gardenia – it sounds great. I live in EU and thank you for the draw!

  • I love love love indolic flowers like Gardenia, Lily an i love Tuberose the most of all. I have about 10 different tuberose dominated fragrances and also love the gorgeous and sadly discontinued Versace Blonde. It is not really niche but has been around for quite some while and i re-descoverd it about half a year ago. Dior Poison Esprit de Parfum. It is amazing and i really dig this one!
    I have never tested any Divine fragrance yet however did buy a bottle of L’Homme Sage for a good friend of mine and he loves it big time!
    So i guess this Divine Divine must be awesome too huh? 😉

    Thank you for the beautiful draw and good smelling regards from the Netherlands!

  • Sounds great. I like the story of Gail’s search for the perfect gardenia, reminds me of my search for the best smelling leather fragrance.

    My latest fragrant awakening is Parfums d’Empire Ambre Russe. I live in Europe and I’d live a bottle of Divine. Thanks

  • So nice review, I’d love to try Divine and I love how Gail describes the scent: “the fresh peach, the bright, soapy aldehydes, the lightest of fresh gardenias, cool, effervescent jasmine, spice, vanilla, sandalwood – it was all there – Divine, the stuff of dreams and memories”. Sounds fantastic. I’ve tried only L’Etre Aime from this brand and I love it!I am in EU.

  • doveskylark says:

    I so agree that fragrance can give us individuality and a fashion sense. I also like that Gail tried some pretty fabulous gardenia fragrances before she finally discovered Divine Divine EdP. I’ve recently discovered Montechristo by Masque Milano. I love Divine L’homme Sage.
    I live in the USA.

  • skiclimblive09 says:

    I quite enjoyed the chase that she went on, over many years, in pursuit off that one elusive scent. It evaded her for so long. And I’m sure, made finding it all the more thrilling. I have not tried any of the Divine scents and this one sound lovely. I live in the US. I am a big lover of Gardenia scents in general. Although have not found one for myself. A

    Connor.