Kenzo

Kenzo, inspired by Kenzo de Kenzo (1988)

Fruit comes first: peach and plum, sharpened by mandarin and bergamot, with caraway and coriander giving the top a seedy, spiced edge. Within minutes the white flowers take over, broad and heady rather than dewy. Carnation adds a clove-like warmth while iris brings a touch of powder. Underneath, oakmoss (a lichen with a damp, forest-floor smell) and patchouli anchor the bouquet, while amber and vanilla round off the finish.

About the original

Françoise Caron created Kenzo's first women's fragrance in 1988, presented in a pebble-shaped bottle by Serge Mansau with a single flower. It is variously known as Kenzo, Kenzo de Kenzo or Kenzo by Kenzo. According to reports, it has been sold since about 1997 as Ça Sent Beau, which Kenzo still presents as its first fragrance; perfume databases list Ça Sent Beau separately, so it may have been reworked rather than simply renamed. Kenzo pour Homme (1991) is an unrelated men's fragrance.

Our version

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

Who it suits

Lovers of classic, full-bodied white florals will feel at home here. It is a rich, old-school composition, and some wearers find it dated or a little soapy, so it can feel heavy next to modern, airy florals.

Related scents

• Kenzo pour Homme
• Estée Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia

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

Top notes: Orange Blossom, Plum, Mandarin, Peach, Bergamot, Caraway, Coriander

Heart notes: Rose, Carnation, Tuberose, Gardenia, Iris, Jasmine, Ylang-ylang, Lily Of The Valley, Cedarwood

Base notes: Amber, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Musk, Oakmoss, Vanilla

Peach and plum open it, steadied by mandarin and bergamot, while caraway and coriander add a dry, spicy note that stops the fruit from turning syrupy.

The heart is crowded: tuberose, gardenia, jasmine and ylang-ylang lead, with rose, carnation, lily of the valley and iris filling in around them.

The base is mossy and ambered, with patchouli and sandalwood beneath vanilla and musk.

Is this the women's or the men's Kenzo?

The women's Kenzo from 1988, also called Kenzo de Kenzo. Kenzo pour Homme (1991) is a separate men's fragrance, which we also make.

Is Kenzo (1988) the same as Ça Sent Beau?

Kenzo presents Ça Sent Beau as its first fragrance, and reports date the change of name to about 1997. Some databases treat it as a separate release, so we cannot confirm that today's formula matches the 1988 original.

Is it a sweet floral?

Not especially. Peach and plum give a fruity start and vanilla appears in the base, but the white flowers and oakmoss keep it heady rather than sugary.

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.

Kenzo and Kenzo de Kenzo are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Kenzo 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.