Fendi

Fendi, inspired by Fendi (1985)

Coriander, cardamom and a dusting of aldehydes give the start a dry, peppery fizz over lemon and bergamot. Carnation then takes charge, its clove-like spice meeting rose and ylang-ylang in a full, deep heart. Underneath runs the chypre frame: oakmoss, a forest moss with an earthy, slightly inky smell, paired with leather and patchouli. Tonka and vanilla round off the edges late on without turning it sweet.

About the original

Fendi launched this perfume in 1985 as its first fragrance for women, which sets it apart from Fan di Fendi (2010) and the brand's later relaunches. Fragrance references credit the composition to the fragrance house now known as dsm-firmenich, without naming a perfumer. The blog The Non-Blonde dates its withdrawal to 2005, when the licence passed from YSL Beauté to LVMH. LVMH later wound down Fendi fragrances twice more, in 2009 and 2015, so no current range carries it.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Fendi stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Anyone who misses the moss-and-spice florals of that decade will recognise the shape at once. It belongs to cooler months and evenings rather than office days in summer. Its bite tends to divide people, and a nose trained on clean modern florals may find it heavy.

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Coriander, Cardamom, Brazilian Rosewood, Aldehydes, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Lemon

Heart notes: Carnation, Rose, Cypress, Ylang-ylang, Geranium, Jasmine, Lily-of-the-valley

Base notes: Spices, Oakmoss, Leather, Sandalwood, Amber, Patchouli, Cedar, Musk, Tonka Bean, Vanilla

The opening is aromatic and lightly soapy, with coriander and cardamom over citrus and the faint woody tone of Brazilian rosewood.

In the heart, carnation and rose sit at the centre, with jasmine, geranium and lily-of-the-valley around them and cypress adding a resinous green line.

The base is the longest stage: oakmoss and leather first, then sandalwood, cedar, amber and musk, finished with tonka bean and vanilla.

Is this Fendi's 1985 perfume or Fan di Fendi?

The 1985 original, Fendi's first women's fragrance. Fan di Fendi is a separate scent from 2010.

Is the original Fendi perfume discontinued?

Yes. It was withdrawn around 2005 and has not returned in any later Fendi range.

Is it a spicy or a floral perfume?

Both. Carnation and rose form the heart, but coriander, cardamom and the leathery moss base give it a spiced, chypre character.

Is Fendi coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Fendi that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Fendi and Fendi are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Fendi in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.