Friday, November 30, 2007

The Lost Perfumes: Agnona



A long, long time ago Italian fashion label Agnona had a perfume. This label is part of the Ermenegildo Zegna Group and is known for using luxurious materials and classic designs. The looks are very Italian, just not in a Versace way. Looking at their current look book you can almost feel the soft cashmere.

The perfume, simply called Agnona, hasn't been around for years now (at least a decade, as far as my research could go), so the little bottle containing 1/2 oz of the extrait I scored on eBay is no spring Chicken. There's not much left from the top notes, but I'm getting a hint of delicate greens and some blossoms. Once the real thing starts developing the feel of this scent is very feminine and soft. It belongs in the same group with ladylike classics like Caleche, Annick Goutal Grand Amour and maybe even Chanel no. 5, though it lacks the soapy quality. The iconic blend of rose and jasmine has an edge in Agnona. There's something peppery, probably carnation, that remains and deepens into the dry-down, where I also get a hint of dry, non-foody vanilla.

Agnona has very little sillage (not surprising, since we're talking a vintage extrait with hardly a top note), but it has enough weight and staying power on skin level. It's very pretty, the kind of perfume that's always appropriate and never offends. It's enjoyable, but the lack of originality is probably what killed this perfume, together with utter lack of marketing effort.

Photos: Fashion from Agnona.com, bottle (identical to mine, including suede pouch with logo) from perfume-collecting.net.

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