Vanilla Orchid Xxi Art Deco

The Discontinued Vanilla Orchid, 2018

XXI Art Deco Vanilla Orchid arrived in 2018 as part of Clive Christian’s Noble Collection, a series that celebrated different artistic eras through fragrance. The brief was a vanilla floral built around hyacinth and galbanum at the opening, vanilla orchid and lily of the valley at the heart, and a base of vanilla, amber, sandalwood, vetiver and musk. The Art Deco era inspired the visual identity and the sensual decadent character of the composition. Despite the prestige of the Noble Collection positioning, Clive Christian discontinued XXI Art Deco Vanilla Orchid relatively quickly. Original bottles now sell at significant premiums on resale platforms. Our interpretation brings the composition back at proper concentration.

How It Smells

The opening is unusually green and slightly bracing, galbanum leading with its intensely green resinous character, hyacinth adding a clean fresh floral lift with its trademark slightly grape-edged quality. Within fifteen minutes the floral heart unfolds: vanilla orchid (a distinctive orchid variety with vanilla-like scent character) takes a leading role, lily of the valley adds a green dewy floral support, and a quiet white floral nuance threads through the middle. The base is where Vanilla Orchid reveals its Noble Collection luxury. Vanilla provides warm gourmand depth, amber wraps the composition in luminous warm depth, sandalwood adds creamy wood structure, tonka bean contributes soft hay-like sweetness, vetiver provides earthy support, and musk smooths the drydown. The overall impression is sensual vanilla floral luxury, polished in the Art Deco decadent tradition.

The Notes

Top: galbanum, hyacinth.
Heart: vanilla orchid, lily of the valley.
Base: vanilla, amber, sandalwood, tonka bean, vetiver, musk.

How Our Version Compares

With the original out of production, finding XXI Art Deco Vanilla Orchid has become difficult. Our European Union production at 40 percent perfume oil concentration brings the composition back at proper density, with the galbanum hyacinth opening sparkling cleanly, the vanilla orchid heart holding through the wearing, and the vanilla amber sandalwood drydown lasting well into the next day on clothing.

Common Questions

Is the original really discontinued?
Yes. Clive Christian retired XXI Art Deco Vanilla Orchid from production, and existing retail stock has largely sold through. Resale platforms continue to list sealed bottles but at premium prices with varying freshness.

What does vanilla orchid actually smell like?
Vanilla orchid is a real orchid variety with naturally vanilla-scented blooms (the vanilla bean comes from a different orchid species but the family relation gives this variety its vanilla character). The accord reads as creamy floral vanilla rather than overtly gourmand.

Best season and occasion?
Autumn and winter especially, when the vanilla amber base reads at its best. Evening occasions suit the composition particularly well; the sensual decadent character of the Art Deco theme wants moments that justify its presence.

How long does it last?
Ten to twelve hours at our concentration, with the vanilla sandalwood amber drydown lingering on clothing well into the next day. The 40 percent oil approach extends the wearing significantly beyond the original eau de parfum format.

Comparative Advertising Disclaimer

Parfumour creates inspired by interpretations of well known fragrances. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Clive Christian. Clive Christian and XXI Art Deco Vanilla Orchid are trademarks of their respective owners. Our product is an independently formulated fragrance designed to evoke a similar olfactive impression, helping customers identify a scent profile they are seeking.