Gabrielle by Chanel is a Floral fragrance for women launched in 2017 as an Eau de Parfum. The nose behind this fragrance is Olivier Polge.
Gabrielle by Chanel is part of the Gabrielle collection. It was a hit when it was released but has since been overtaken in popularity by its flankers. Gabrielle Chanel Essence EDP was released as the first flanker in September 2019.
The keynotes of the Floral fragrance are jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, and tuberose.
A note by the brand:
A floral, luminous and airy interpretation composed around four radiant flowers.
Inspired by Gabrielle Chanel, Gabrielle Chanel Eau de Parfum is the fragrance of a woman who is attentive to her needs and speaks her mind. A woman who truly shines as she fully expresses her radiant personality.
| Perfume Name | Gabrielle |
| Brand | Chanel |
| Year Released | 2017 |
| Concentration | Eau de Parfum |
| Scent Family | Floral |
| Gender | women |
Gabrielle is one of the samples I recently ordered. I tried it just as it came out back in 2017, but since that was a few years ago, I decided it was time to give it another go. This is what I had to think of Gabrielle.
What does Gabrielle by Chanel smell like?
Gabrielle is a gentle floral, with a clean wash of orange blossom and a bit of jasmine and sweet rose. This perfume is pure youth, uplifting, sunny, innocent but also determined.
It reminds me quite a bit of Dior’s J’adore, but J’adore is more fruity, and Gabrielle is more floral.
It’s also similar to Vera Wang Eau De Parfum Spray, but not in the sense that the same floral notes are being used. But it’s similar in terms of its structure. The clean and bright citrus opening, the white floral heart, followed by the musky sandalwood base.
| Top Notes | Grapefruit, Mandarin Orange and Black Currant |
| Middle Notes | Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Tuberose, Lily-of-the-Valley, Pear and Pink Pepper |
| Base Notes | Musk, Sandalwood, Cashmeran and Orris |
My Experience
With the first spray I get black currant and citrus. It’s the absolute perfect blend of tart and sweetness. The orange blossom also gives it a bit of creaminess. The black currant is very pleasant and not overwhelming, and it gives the scent that modern twist.
Soon after, I start picking up the jasmine and the typical soft Chanel DNA. The blend of white flowers makes it so classy and beautiful.
As it dries down, I started noticing the smoothest sandalwood I’ve ever smelled in conjunction with a modern musk note. I love this Sandalwood, and it is perfectly balanced mixed with the Florals, Citrus and Fruit. The cashmeran that comes through during the dry-down is beautiful and it adds a bit more warmth and even a hint of spice.
This is a stunning fragrance. It starts off citrusy but with a smoother texture than most citrusy scents. It’s fresh, but it is luxuriously fresh.
Sillage & Projection
The sillage is pretty good. It fills a room and leaves an enchanting trail that I love. I’d rate the projection as being moderate. Overall, this is definitely a well-performing perfume.
Longevity & Versatility
Gabrielle is a great fit for any occasion from work to brunch to a wedding. It can absolutely work as a great scent throughout the year, but if I really had to choose, I’d say fall and spring would be the best seasons to wear, Gabrielle. I think it can be a great day- and nighttime scent. In terms of longevity, I’d rate it moderate, and it lasts around 6 hours on my skin.
Closing thoughts
I think this is a lovely perfume. I know Gabrielle has gotten a lot of hate because people were expecting something else when she came out. Ironically, people complain that the big fashion houses don’t do anything different, and when they do, people react badly without even properly trying it. So if you maybe fell into this camp back in 2017, I suggest giving it another go.
Like I mentioned, it reminds me a lot of J’adore, so if that’s a scent you already like, then definitely give it a go. If you’re a fan of Chanel Chance, this could also be another scent worth investigating.
This is definitely a youthful perfume, but I think it’s more up to personal taste at the end of the day. I’d recommend against a blind buy if you’re unsure about florals.
I would recommend this perfume to those who’d like a feminine, abstract, clean, modern fruity floral from a widely-recognized brand. Personally, I think this scent is full-bottle-worthy. It’s so versatile and beautiful that you could wear it year-round if you wished. It’s not overly complex, but it’s still Chanel – so you always feel confident and classy wearing it.