Senso by Ungaro: launched in 1987. Created by Jacques Polge.
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"Women are the most interesting human beings, so strong, so rich mentally," said Emanuel Ungaro. "They're much more powerful than men. So instead of just making fashion, I create an atmosphere for women, a spirit....Designing stirs the heart, the soul...To sense an impulse, I work with my intuition and emotions. I want to tell the mysterious, sensual woman, 'Listen, I know what you are doing - and you are right."
"I create fashion and fragrance for the kind of woman I admire," said Ungaro. "Each one is different, yet seductive and feminine. But those two things are one and the same, are they not?" The Senso woman he says, "Above all, she is sensuous. In matters of the heart she makes her own rules - and breaks them at will. A constantly evolving legend, she is admired by men and has the qualities other women aspire to."
Model and actress Nastasssja Kinski signed a three year contract with Parfums Ungaro to be the international representative for the fragrance. Senso was to be introduced in Europe and the Middle East in September 1987. The scent was expected to reach the US market in 1989.
However, by 1991, the fragrance hadn't moved much abroad so the company developed a new version of Senso which was released in 1992. It was launched in the USA in September 1993. This version, sexy, spicy and youthful was aimed at women in the 20s age bracket, while Diva was aimed at the older, sophisticated crowd.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? It is classified as a sweet floral fragrance for women. It starts out with a green top, followed by a sweet floral heart, resting on a woody, powdery, ambery base. a sparkling blend of flowers, precious woods, fruits and spices .
- Top notes: citrus, grapefruit, bergamot, green note, reseda, galbanum, neroli, hyacinth
- Middle notes: orange blossom, jasmine, rose, carnation, ylang ylang, lily of the valley, orris, tuberose
- Base notes: sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, vanilla, benzoin, amber, musk
Bottle:
The fragrance was housed in a frosted glass bottle, it's shape suggests a pleated fabric clinging to the body. It is fitted with a clear, faceted crystal cap. Bottles manufactured by Pochet et du Courval and designed by Jacques Helleu. The Senso line included not only eau de parfum and eau de toilette, but also soap and deodorant spray.
In 1992, Senso's packaging was restyled. The bottle's surface is now covered in a shade that straddles pink and purple, the chrome yellow ribbon at the neck bears black polka dots, and a faceted turquoise blue-crystal stopper finishes the look. Bottles manufactured by Pochet et du Courval and designed by Jacques Helleu.
Senso was available in the following:
- 1.35 oz Eau de Parfum Splash
- 1.5 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
- 1.36 oz Eau de Toilette Splash
- 1.5 oz Eau de Toilette Spray
- 3.4 oz Deodorant Spray
- Bath Soap in plastic case
Fate of the Fragrance:
Discontinued around 1997.
DCI. - Volume 161, Issues 2-6, 1997:
"...the company will launch its newest effort for Ungaro, a fresh women's scent unlike the formal, more classic Diva fragrance. This marks Bulgari's first project for Ungaro Parfums in conjunction with the joint venture finalized last March with Ungaro's owner, Ferragamo. According to Bulgari group CEO Francesco Trapani, Bulgari, which owns 50 percent of Ferragamo Parfums and Ungaro Parfums, will continue the Diva and Ungaro Pour Homme III fragrances, but discontinue the four other Ungaro scents: Senso and Ungaro for women and Ungaro Pour Homme I and II."