Collection Extraordinaire - Orchidée Vanille Van Cleef & Arpels 2009

Collection Extraordinaire - Orchidée Vanille by Van Cleef & Arpels

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Top 86 in Unisex Perfume

8.2 / 10 377 Ratings

Collection Extraordinaire - Orchidée Vanille is a popular perfume by Van Cleef & Arpels for women and men and was released in 2009. The scent is sweet-gourmand. It is being marketed by Inter Parfums. Pronunciation

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Perfumer

Randa Hammami

Fragrance Notes

Top Notes	Lychee, Mandarin orange
Heart Notes	Bulgarian rose, Bitter almond, Violet
Base Notes	Tonka bean, Cedar, Vanilla absolute

Ratings

Scent

8.2 (377 Ratings)

Longevity

7.3 (303 Ratings)

Sillage

6.5 (301 Ratings)

Bottle

8.1 (305 Ratings)

Submitted by Kankuro, last update on 27.11.2020.

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Reviews

11/18/2020

8
Scent 8
Longevity 8
Sillage 8
Bottle

Landshark321
60 Reviews

Landshark321

Elegant floral vanilla, well crafted

Long-overdue sampling of the 2009 release from the Collection Extraordinaire from Van Cleef & Arpels, Orchidee Vanille, a floral vanilla fragrance that I smelled in stores a number of times before finally purchasing a decant in recent months. It’s a vanilla-dominant fragrance that is robust and interesting while not being too heavy, cake-like, or more generally dessert-like, even. The mix features floral notes (rose, violet), tonka, white musk, and small hints of citruses and almond. It’s sweet but not saccharine, floral and musky with not being overtly feminine, and seemingly balanced while still being focused on the vanilla.

What makes this fragrance great, rather than just good, is that it does not feel too heavy but still feels significant, elegant, well-crafted, just a notch below my two favorite Guerlain vanillas (Spiritueuse Double Vanille, Cuir Beluga), and it performs very well.

Its retail pricing is $212 for 75ml (Luckyscent) but it’s avaiible for only $81 on FragranceNet, a very reasonable price for its quality.

8 out of 10

02/24/2020

6.5
Scent 8
Longevity 7
Sillage 8
Bottle

Parfümlein

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Parfümlein

Very helpful Review 11

The very last (vanilla perfume in my challenge)

My last vanilla scent! Certainly not forever, but for now! Of course I have to appreciate it again in a short comment, because I wanted to test it the whole time, but I couldn't get to it until I discovered a local perfumery, in which a) the Collection Extraordinaire actually exists and in which b) one can snoop around anonymously anyway.
I was a little disappointed from the first test; I had expected so much from the combination and then smelled something that looked a little old-fashioned to me, more for ladies, preferably those from the fifties or at least the fifties. Of course I would never have written that, I simply didn't trust my nose, which was certainly good. To me, the name seemed like an ironic wink - about as hip as orchids, the fragrance seemed to me as if it had gathered dust. But nowadays orchids have again found lovers who do not sit behind village windows covered with grey curtains with the golden edge. Today orchids are grouped together in giant silver containers to form larger shared flats and make quite something. In my defense, I would also like to say that during this unobserved stroll through the perfumery, I discovered "Moonlight Patchouly", which I consider one of the most beautiful perfumes ever. In this respect - that the Collection Extraordinaire is quite extraordinary, I had no doubt about that. "Vanilla Orchidée" and I just couldn't be together that day.
Now, thanks to a sooo dear perfuma, I came into the possession of a small specimen. With the help of the same, I was able to determine that the scent, as the pyramid suggests, really does not smell like orchids. (He hadn't smelled that way the first time, he just reminded me strongly of orchid growers). However - also this time neither of us has become a shoe. I smell almond and orange in a very faint form, but unlike in my beloved "Code Cashmere", the two of them are playing super soft, so that the vanilla can make its way unhindered - and I just don't like this tone. Of course, it is nice not to be slain by a gourmand for once when you smell a vanilla perfume. Certainly it is also nice that this delicate softness is so mildly underpinned by musk and cedar wood. But why another rose had to be squeezed into it is as much beyond my expertise as my understanding. And another violet (which I do not perceive that way). I think I just don't like fragrances where roses have a say.
In this respect I make my peace with "Vanilla Orchidée": The fragrance is soft and delicate and unobtrusive and elegant and at the same time vanilla, thus satisfying the need for a stylish appearance, individuality as well as delicious vanilla cookies and orange chocolate. But the fact that it had to be decorated with roses is personally a little too kitschy for me as a picture and too rosy for a fragrance. So our paths part, which is a good thing, because this fragrance has many lovers, and we all want our favourite fragrances to remain secret tips and not be worn by everyone. On that note, adieu, dear Vanilla Orchidée.

4 Replies

01/02/2020

7
Scent 7
Longevity 5
Sillage 5
Bottle

Finchen1976

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Finchen1976

Very helpful Review 8

Heart off, head on

I had to test it.
Have you ever actually "smelled" orchids? Well, I kind of don't. I think these are the flowers of which, although I own them, I think they have little or no flower smell? Botanists here anyway?!!
This fragrance is gentle. A complete flatterer. Gentle, soft.

He starts with me - drum roll...- finally vanilla! *Applause sound* ^^ Very nice, tender vanilla, slightly sweetish, but which quickly combines with chocolate and orange and exactly THAT's what I smell then and that doesn't change anymore.
The other ingredients may be there, but I can hardly sniff them out.
It smells a little like the tart 70% bitter chocolate with candied orange pieces from L*idl of Ecuador. :-) Only finer. So for me. I read in the comments here that everyone perceives something different. :-)

Almond maybe. But that's it Don't get me wrong, a very delicate scent, which unfortunately becomes very close immediately (!), Sillage is not big there for me, just as little as durability. Creamy, sweet.

The top note remains consistent with me, hence the title.
Unfortunately, unfortunately, I'm not into chocolate in scents at all. But that's why I like to finish my bottling, only the large bottle won't move in with me

6 Replies

06/24/2018

6.5
Scent 8
Longevity 7
Sillage 8
Bottle

Aglaya

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Aglaya

Helpful Review 13

Sorry...

.... but I think it's very overrated!
I can't find anything from the listed ingredients in the fragrance. What's not bad for me now is that I like it very much when a fragrance is composed in such a way that all the fragrance notes merge into one overall But VO smells (for me) just like a simple dry relatively unsweet vanilla.
A quite simple thing!
With some goodwill it can be called "adult
Vanilla" and is perhaps still a kind of insider tip for people who absolutely want it sweet-free with vanilla.
But I can't find more specificity or something unusual in it.
Conclusion: Nice, really nice. But I don't have to have him!

3 Replies

12/15/2015

7
Scent

ScentedSalon
96 Reviews

ScentedSalon

Helpful Review 3

Not that extraordinary

It's ironic that this collection is called extraordinary. It could not be more ordinary: non-descript scents that smell very similar to each other.

If you are looking for a vanilla perfume, keep moving. The vanilla in the name refers to the heart note: you get a very nice smoky vanilla for a few minutes before the flowery drydown. There is something musky lingering on the skin after some time. There is no sillage to speak of. I would see this being perfect for an older lady who does not like offensive and strong perfumes.

The best part of this perfume is the bottle.

10/15/2015

MasterLi
375 Reviews

MasterLi

Helpful Review 6

Wonderful stuff!

Well, this is a pleasant one. I love any good vanilla perfume, and this is one of the better ones. It is such a deep, borderline boozy smell. It is vanilla and orchid and chocolate. At times I get both praline chocolate and truffle, with a hint of caramel in places. I would describe it as linear, but it's certainly interesting. It also reminds me of the same Cologne of the Missions or Spiriteuse Double Vanille vibe, although this is almost in gourmand-like territory.

I can't recommend this fragrance enough. I really like this smell, I think it's extraordinary. I would say that it depends if you have the money for this and other high-end vanilla fragrances. It is certainly a well-made, very well crafted perfume. You get your money's worth here. I can say that I wish it projected a little more, but I'm satisfied with it. Definitely one to try if you are a hardcore vanilla fan.

08/09/2014

7
Scent 7.5
Longevity 5
Sillage 7.5
Bottle

Missk
1165 Reviews

Missk

Very helpful Review 7

Smooth like Velvet

This is a positively gorgeous fragrance. Vanilla and orchid have never gone so well together. Orchidee Vanille is easily one of my favourite vanilla scents, and that's saying a lot.

The vanilla in this fragrance tends to be sweet and velvety, also light and fluffy at certain times. The orchid adds that hint of gourmand, which I find rather addictive. In the opening there's an interesting green freshness, which is soon smoothed out by a sugary and intense vanilla accord.

Some reviewers have noted a hint of chocolate and even caramel, which I can faintly smell too, so that's more of an incentive to classify Orchidee Vanille as a gourmand. Either way you look at it, this fragrance is pleasantly sweet but never overpowering.

Even though Orchidee Vanille is a fairly expensive release, I personally think it's worth it, but only if it agrees on your skin. Applying it with a light hand is also fairly important, as I find a little goes a long way.

Vanilla and gourmands go hand in hand in terms of what I like. The sweetness doesn't bother me, and neither does the musky drydown. I actually find this fragrance quite soothing and pretty on my skin, and wouldn't hesitate to wear it all year long. There's something about Van Cleef & Arpels' fragrances. They have this somewhat magical aura that draws me in.

If you like anything that smells sweet and gooey, and are at present seeking an upmarket perfume that fits the bill, Van Cleef & Arpels Orchidee Vanille is the perfect choice. I highly recommend.

04/27/2013

10
Scent 7.5
Longevity 7.5
Sillage 5
Bottle

Hayven
74 Reviews

Hayven

Very helpful Review 10

not much of a review, more like an opinion

This scent is very, very, very gourmand to me. I didn't smell mandarin or lychee in the beginning. It is all an orchid dipped in white chocolate for me. There is something about this perfume that evokes an image of a loving, sweet, young mother holding her newborn infant. I don't know why; probably because the scent is so soft, sweet, and makes me feel fuzzy inside when I wear it.

2 Replies

12/23/2012

6
Scent 7.5
Longevity 7.5
Sillage

Sherapop
1239 Reviews

Sherapop

Vanilla-soaked Orchid

Whoever the creative director in charge of the Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire was obviously loves vanilla, as it is a major player in most of the members of this "nichesque" series of perfumes. I say "nichesque" because I am not convinced that these are any better than the above-average designer quality of the other perfumes launched by this house: ORIENS, FEERIE, and MIDNIGHT IN PARIS all come immediately to mind. They are all of higher quality than many of the mainstream designer perfumes being launched today, and so are the members of the Collection Extraordinaire. What I am not convinced of is that this series is any better than those, as they should be, given the elevated asking price.

ORCHIDEE VANILLE, unlike the other vanilla-infused perfumes in this group, explicitly informs us of its vanillic intentions through its name. So no one really has a right to complain when they discover that, lo, ORCHIDEE VANILLE packs a mighty punch of vanilla! Anyone who shuns vanilla in perfume already knows to stay very far away from a fragrance with such a name, but what about vanilla amateurs? What will they say?

I've worn this perfume now a couple of times, and I have to say that while it is nice, it's not really anything to get excited about and in some ways seems like a pretty blunt presentation of orchid and vanilla. It's not bad, mind you, but I think that there probably are better choices out there for those specifically seeking out vanilla perfumes. I suppose that ORCHIDEE VANILLE is suffering a bit in this evaluation, having the bad luck of being donned by me today after having worn Kenzo JUNGLE L'ELEPHANT, a far richer and more complex oriental perfume, last night.

I should add, however, that I'm not the biggest fan of vanilla-centric perfumes in the first place. I like and own L'Artisan Parfumeur VANILLE ABSOLUMENT, but generally speaking I prefer more complex and challenging oriental perfumes. Someone who fell for the Guerlain DOUBLE VANILLE SPIRITUEUSE might really like ORCHIDEE VANILLE, so I do not want to discourage them from trying this creation. It's not going on my wish list, but if you're a vanilla fanatic, it might be true love for you.

02/17/2012

Delphine67
81 Reviews

Delphine67

Helpful Review 6

Fresh vanilla

This scent opens very fresh with the mandarin and lychee. Its very fruity in the beginning. Then it turns warmer with the tonka bean. Now it smells to me like the almond wedding sweets, sweet vanilla almondy. Soft wiffs of rose and violets.
I like this vanilla, soft and feminine