L'Eau d'Issey City Blossom

The Verdict

L'Eau d'Issey City Blossom arrived in early 2015 as a limited-edition flanker of the beloved 1992 original, composed by the accomplished Alberto Morillas. Wrapped in a bottle decorated by French street artist Mademoiselle Maurice with vibrant origami-inspired patterns, it immediately stood out on retail shelves. The fragrance itself, however, proved more divisive than its packaging.

Community opinion splits between those who find City Blossom a charming, fresh floral and those who dismiss it as boring and generic. Fragrantica reviewers range from enthusiastic praise for its floral freshness and staying power to pointed criticism of its sharp, almost soapy quality. As a limited edition eau de toilette, expectations for groundbreaking performance should be tempered.

The consensus places City Blossom as a competent spring fragrance that does not reach the iconic status of its predecessor but offers a pleasant, if fleeting, seasonal alternative for warm-weather wear.

What It Smells Like

The opening arrives with a bright burst of bergamot and lemon, lifted by the subtle spice of pink pepper and the aquatic shimmer of calone. This citrus-ozonic introduction sets a modern, airy tone that immediately signals warm-weather intentions.

The heart unfolds into a lush floral bouquet where magnolia and freesia lead, supported by rose, lily-of-the-valley, and the distinctive apricot-tinged sweetness of osmanthus. This is where the fragrance finds its identity: a watercolor garden rendered in soft, transparent strokes rather than bold, saturated color. Some reviewers appreciate this lightness, while others find it bordering on the generic.

The base settles into white cedar, musk, ambroxan, and honey, providing a gentle warmth that keeps the drydown interesting without heavy sweetness. Blog reviewers describe it as a light floral spring fragrance with pleasant sillage, while less enthusiastic users compare it to bubble bath.

When to Wear It

City Blossom is purpose-built for spring and early summer. Its fresh, floral character resonates most strongly when temperatures are mild and the natural world is in bloom. Daytime occasions are its natural habitat, from office wear to weekend brunches and garden parties.

The fragrance's moderate projection makes it office-appropriate and unlikely to overwhelm in close quarters. Its gentle, pretty character also makes it an appealing gift option, especially given the striking bottle design.

Longevity & Projection

As an eau de toilette, City Blossom delivers performance in line with its concentration. Blog reviews describe it as having pleasant sillage and moderate staying power, while community members suggest not expecting it to last all day. Several hours of wear is a reasonable expectation.

The sillage creates a soft aura around the wearer, noticeable in close proximity but not projecting aggressively into a room. This suits the fragrance's character as a light, springtime companion rather than a bold statement piece.

The Community Says

Opinions on Fragrantica range across the spectrum. Positive reviewers highlight the floral freshness and note that it lasts for quite some time, while critics describe it as disappointingly boring and generic or uncomfortably soapy. One reviewer found the scent problematic, detecting something raw and unpleasant, while another praised it as a fresh and floral delight.

The Color Me Loud blog offered a more measured assessment, calling it a light floral spring fragrance with pleasant sillage and praising both its feminine modern design and its suitability as a gift. The artistic collaboration with Mademoiselle Maurice consistently receives positive mention across reviews.

Who Should Buy This

City Blossom appeals primarily to fans of the original L'Eau d'Issey who want a seasonal variation on the theme, and to lovers of fresh, light florals suited for spring and summer. The beautiful bottle makes it a visual standout on any vanity, and collectors of limited-edition flankers will find it noteworthy.

Those who prefer intense, long-lasting fragrances or bold, distinctive compositions should look elsewhere. The scent's gentle nature is a feature for its target audience but a limitation for those wanting more impact.

The Bottom Line

L'Eau d'Issey City Blossom is a charming if modest limited-edition flanker that succeeds more as a visual object and seasonal pleasure than as a groundbreaking fragrance. Its fresh floral character and lovely packaging make it a pleasant warm-weather companion, though its polarizing reception and moderate performance prevent it from rising above the crowded field of spring florals.