Fragrance review: Giorgio Armani Sì Passione Eclat

A new fragrance release that I have fallen head over heels in love with is the newest incarnation of Giorgio Armani Parfums’ original Si, which launched way back in 2013. In a very short time, the collection offered numerous new versions of the original edition, as well as limited flacons with the original juice, and the latest version is one of my most favourite yet.
A new, powerfully luminous interpretation of the house’s iconic women’s scent, Sì Passione Eclat aims to “Capture a mood of bold, modern femininity, and evoke the effervescent power of passion that lights up one’s life”, and it’s very easy to love.

At the New Zealand launch of Sì Passione Eclat with Beauty Eq's Trudi Brewer

I was introduced to the fragrance at a beautiful evening event at Auckland’s contemporary cool Park Hyatt hotel, with views across the water and champagne and fabulous food at every touchpoint. I was given my first whiff of the scent’s warm powerhouse of fruity-rose and vanilla, and love that it is delicately fresh and bold with a warm quality that makes it perfect for the cooler nights to come. And unlike the other Sì scents, Sì Passione Eclat tells its own unique story focusing on roses and not patchouli, so it definitely stands out from the crowd.

Bergamot is in the mix to create a bright opening alongside the sweeter blackcurrant note, while the unabashedly feminine heart is a chorus of rose centifolia and damask. The base is all white musk and warm, spicy vanilla, and the dry down is warm and sweetly enveloping. The name “Éclat” – “brightness” in English – symbolises the fragrance’s sparkling notes, from the aforementioned uplifting bergamot to the crisp, radiant blackcurrant accord, which both fuse with fresh rose notes.

The luminous fragrance, which belongs to the Floral Rose family, is also composed of many ingredients that are responsibly and sustainably sourced, like bergamot from Calabria, Italy; rose Damascena from Isparta, Turkey; and vanilla Bourbon premium infusion from Madagascar. The sustainable sourcing of these ingredients is emblematic of the house’s respect for nature, and ongoing commitment to sustainability. I also adore the fact that the new fragrance is presented in the iconic, distinctive Sì flacon, but this time the transparent glass has been dressed in a glowing, ruby-red outer lacquer that is an absolute joy to behold.
If you love warming, floral-with-a-twist scents with a refined edge, you’ll adore the effortless mix of fresh and warm found within this rather special new release. Giorgio Armani Sì Passione Eclat is available now.