St John Signature ~ new perfume

St. John Signature fragrance 2008St. John has launched an updated version of their eponymous 1994 fragrance:

Introducing St. John—a charming new twist on a timeless classic. The Signature fragrance first reveals notes of tangerine that flawlessly blend the delicate impression of marigold and freesia. The fragrance evolves with the intoxicating notes of white rose, night blooming jasmine and apricot. Finally, the base notes emerge, exuding a creamy warmth combining sandalwood, vanilla and amber. Indulge in the ultimate expression of refinement and luxury.

St. John Signature is available in 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum, and can be found now at Nordstrom.

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30 Comments

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  1. Anonymous
    Posted on 22 June 2008

    I kind of like that bottle, and also kind of like the notes. But I've never heard of St. John. Can you tell me who/what are they/he?

  2. Anonymous
    Posted on 22 June 2008

    St. John is a higher-end department store designer – Angelina Jolie was their model for a couple years. The clothing is suited to 40+ career women. Lots of subdued sequin evening suits, etc.

    The perfume is supposed to be the same as the original. St John reps told us only the bottle has changed.

    It's not bad. The lasting power is quite good. The citrus opening is very soft.

  3. Anonymous
    Posted on 22 June 2008

    Oh, THAT company. The one where Angelina models some slightly unlikely clothes (for her)?

  4. Anonymous
    Posted on 22 June 2008

    I don't see how it could possibly be the same — the original was supposed to be a floriental, this one sure didn't smell like a floriental to me (although admittedly I tried it very, very quickly). And “a charming new twist” sounds like they're acknowledging the reformulation, don't you think?

  5. Anonymous
    Posted on 22 June 2008

    Yes, they aren't her style at all.

  6. Anonymous
    Posted on 22 June 2008

    It does sound like a new formula, but the St John rep who gave the training insisted it was the original formula and the PR materials state likewise. I asked a few other women in the training if it was the same and they said they didn't detect any differences.

    The decoration you see near the cap is a detachable charm. And if buy a large, you get a limited edition St. John charm bracelet.

  7. Anonymous
    Posted on 22 June 2008

    Wanted to add – maybe what they mean by charming new twist is the charm and bracelet itself? The St John rep was pretty excited about it. She called it 'divine'.

    Back to the juice – I think it will sell fairly well. It's being touted as a luxury perfume and etcetera. The rep said the Freesia was made with 'headspace technology'. I don't feel comfortable saying that when describing the notes to customers. It's being presold now.

    Nordies got carded vials, a dramming unit, St. John ad cards and St .John blotters. If you want to try it, they should be able to make you a sample if they're holding on to the premade carded ones.

  8. Anonymous
    Posted on 22 June 2008

    Sounds like an interesting scent, one for a nice evening out on a date… Not too complicated or difficult to wear.

  9. Anonymous
    Posted on 23 June 2008

    If this is the same scent, then it will be very strong. I remember the original having a lot of Vanilla in it.

  10. Anonymous
    Posted on 23 June 2008

    um, is that the Chanel Chance bottle redux? not very original…

    the women i know that wear St John are over 55, stylish yet quite conservative. Angelina Jolie as spokesmodel was just weird, clearly she would never wear those clothes. meh, not really even interested in this one :(

  11. Anonymous
    Posted on 23 June 2008

    The detachable charm is a great idea. I tried the juice and it didn't do anything special for me, but I can't wear those kinds of frangrances, they just disappear on me. I've always thought St. John's had gorgeous and classic clothes that can best be worn by women (regardless of age) who have a lovely figure, since they are primarily made of high quality knits. . . in that regard. . Jolie is perfect!

  12. Anonymous
    Posted on 23 June 2008

    It wasn't that strong, nor did it strike me as a “date night” scent — pretty light & casual. But again, I tried it pretty quickly.

  13. Anonymous
    Posted on 23 June 2008

    Looks like Chance, but don't know what the original SJ bottle looked like.

  14. Anonymous
    Posted on 23 June 2008

    Didn't do anything for me either.

  15. Anonymous
    Posted on 23 June 2008

    It is a little Chance-y looking, isn't it? Re. the juice itself… I spent a bit of time decanting samples for the cards and could smell it on my hands until late that evening when I showered. It doesn't have great sillage, but it was stubborn on my skin.

  16. Anonymous
    Posted on 23 June 2008

    True about the knits and how the styles are cut… we tried St John on to prepare for a Fashion Show, and although they're not my style, they did drape nicely.

  17. Anonymous
    Posted on 24 June 2008

    SOUNDS DELICIOUS! UMMMMMM!!!!!!!!! the Original (which from the sound of it, since i did smell the original back in the day) is Highly different from this juice, the original was more spicy/oriental fruity than this one, but this sounds like it makes use of many essences from the original in a lighter more modern fruity floral configuration, which still sounds like it will smell, GLORIOUS! the original is extremely difficult (AND EXPENSIVE) to find, but so well worth the adventure to find a bottle! And as for the Chance Chanel Bottle redux… it's more like a Variation on the Original St. John Bottle, which was the same shape, with the beveled edges, but the original bottle had a SJ insignia in the middle and the bottle had raised pleats at the bevels.

    Also worth noting, St. John should re-release White Camellia, which is a LUXURIOUSLY Lovely White Floral it's also difficult to find but well worth it!

    I am eager to smell this and want to get a bottle as quick as possible!

  18. Anonymous
    Posted on 25 June 2008

    I did not find it glorious but hope you will :-)

  19. Anonymous
    Posted on 25 June 2008

    I must say….I LOVE this Fragrance. My Fiancé came home one day wearing it and I fell in love. I now recommend it to all the women in my family. Also, I love the new bottle/cap. The position of the charm…..brilliant!

  20. Anonymous
    Posted on 25 June 2008

    I went to the St. John Boutique Store and smelled this fragrance, and it smells fantastic! I bought it, brought it home, and my fiance loves it… whenever I wear it he will not stop sniffing me. I think that he is more obsessed with it than I am. My mom loves it too. I actually originally thought that it might be too mature for me, but it is now my favorite fragrance.

  21. Anonymous
    Posted on 29 June 2008

    Its not the same as the original. I got a decant from Nordies & had a long chat with the SA. Its a “modernization” of the original – adds a tangerine/white floral opening, tones down the middle floral notes (which are still pretty strong) & dries down to a more “contemporary” mix of sandalwood & vanilla, while removing the musk of the original.
    I quite like the opening & dry down, its the middle jasmine/rose that I find a bit heavy, & can't imagine what the original jasmine/honeysuckle/tuberose must have been like if this is toned down. Its not for me, certainly not for day, but maybe the occasional formal evening, but I can see this being very popular.

  22. Anonymous
    Posted on 29 June 2008

    It is funny — I'm quite sure after smelling it and reading the description of the old one that it is reformulated, but even Women's Wear Daily claims it is the same thing. No way.

  23. Anonymous
    Posted on 30 June 2008

    I finally got a chance to smell the juice, (on paper and skin). The initial and middle notes are different to me, but the drydown (after 6 horus) smells much like the original, or what I remember of it anyway.

  24. Anonymous
    Posted on 30 June 2008

    Thanks!

  25. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 March 2009

    I just got a sample of this. It is very pretty, sunny, warm, wee bit sweet, vanilla floral. It could be bottle worthy, and if someone gave it to me, I'd be pretty ok with that. I would wear this. I can see why men in comments above really like it.

    But…it reminds me of something VERY much…….it smells like something else…. It is nearly a dead ringer for Montale's Velvet Flowers without the unusual, and sometimes hard to wear, saffron note.

  26. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 March 2009

    Possibly those men like it, although those comments look suspiciously like astroturfing to me. Or else it's just an incredible coincidence that 2 separate people registered to make rather similar comments about this one fragrance, than never came back again.

    Anyway, I never did try this one on skin, but it didn't convince me on a test card — pretty, but not that interesting.

  27. beth001
    Posted on 4 December 2009

    Haven’t tried it yet, but found it at Marshall’s today, $19.99 for 50 ml/1.7 oz., Eau De Parfum! Bought two!

    • Robin
      Posted on 5 December 2009

      Nice deal, hope you’ll like it!

  28. sportyrodie
    Posted on 2 February 2010

    It is so funny how I leard of this fragrance. I purchased this perfume in Marshall’s at around $20.00 and never heard of the name. I thought is was a nice perfume to wear around the house(nothing special I thought) until now. I will treat it with a little more respect and put it with my nicer perfumes now. It smell’s great and I love it. I will go back to see it they have more.

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