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Patrick’s perfumes: «Stronger With You Intensely» by Emporio Armani is a designer fragrance with niche potential

27/12/2021

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

Perfume is a work of art, perfumers are artists and I’m a collector of their creations. Armani’s «Stronger With You Intensely» almost plays in the league of niche perfume and has the potential to become a signature scent.

Niche or designer. These are just two of many features perfumes are categorised by. «Designer» means that a fragrance is rooted in a fashion label such as Paco Rabanne, Miu Miu or Gucci – labels that produce both fashion and perfume. «Niche» is used for fragrances made by independent perfumers. These include Nasomatto and Profumum Roma to name but a few.

And then there are brands that are both. Dior, Chanel and Tom Ford, for example. Although the latter’s fragrances have been part of the Estée Lauder Company for over 15 years, the Private Blend Collection is usually traded as a niche perfume.

A fine fougère fragrance

Emporio Armani’s «Stronger With You Intensely» from the Stronger With You series doesn’t quite make the cut to play in the niche league. But almost. The top note is splendid. Unfortunately, the base note of this eau de parfum can’t hold a candle to it. That’s because of the synthetic compounds. To be on par with Nasomatto and Co., Armani would be well advised to reduce them and increase the proportion of natural flavours.

And yet, the fougère scent, with notes of pink pepper, vanilla and an amberwood, has the potential to be a signature scent, especially in these colder months.

To my nose, «Stronger With You Intensely» smells similar to «Jazz Club» by Maison Martin Margiela. Its sweetness reminds me of chocolate. I’m impressed by how long the scent stays on my skin. Men tend to prefer fresh fragrances with citrus notes. However, if you’re looking for a new signature perfume for yourself and are into strong, sweet oriental notes, definitely give this one a try.

Cool eau de parfum, dumb marketing

Armani advertises this men’s fragrance with a pretty daft series on YouTube. At least that’s what I think it is. It features a young, loved-up couple running around smooching. And they’re mostly in their underwear. According to Armani, the first two seasons were watched by more than eight million viewers.

Let’s compare: the trailer for «The Lost City», a new comedy starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Brad Pitt and Daniel Radcliffe, currently counts half as many views on YouTube.

I forced myself to watch episode 1 of the Armani web series and then decided I like their fragrance, but not their videos. Way too cheesy for my liking. The «plot» could easily pass as one of Galaxus’s comical TV ads. Or has it already?

My name is Patrick. Patrick Bardelli. Not Süskind, like the author of the book «Perfume». But I’m also a great lover of perfumes and I regularly write about good and bad fragrances. Want to enjoy my literary odour? Follow my author profile. Always follow the nose.

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Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

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