JASON ARSHAN
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Giorgio Armani’s Acqua di Gio has entered Pinappos’ first ever Hall of Fame class alongside Daisy by Marc Jacobs. A timeless classic, Acqua di Gio has established itself as one of the most desired fragrances ever created.
From the groundbreaking original Acqua di Gio to the Franchise Fragrance Award winning Acqua di Gio Profondo, Jason Arshan shares his in-depth exploration of the scent that has defined generations and continues to defy expectations.
ACQUA DI GIO
This stunning tropical masterpiece has been a best-selling fragrance since its launch in 1996. The musky, citrus, aquatic blend works wonders all year long but when the summer arrives, the temperature isn’t the only thing heating up. Acqua di Gio shines like no other in the heat. The hotter the temperature gets, the hotter Acqua di Gio gets.
ACQUA DI GIO ESSENZA
After a few re-releases of the original favorite, Essenza was the first true sequel. This was a much brighter fragrance, reducing the aquatic notes in favor of woody nuances. Even with those changes it doesn’t shy away from the original DNA at all as it happily shouts its love of the original. We’re right there with you, Essenza, we love the original too.
AQUA DI GIO PROFUMO
The first real risk taking direction for the franchise. Much like the bottle itself, Profumo went in a darker direction. The original DNA is still vividly present this time with a greener rendition, but the real surprise is the prominent smoky, textured incense that flows through its veins. Smoke is truly the lifeblood of Profumo, making this famously tropical oceanic scent glow under a moonlit night sky.
ACQUA DI GIO ABSOLU
More of a spinoff than a true sequel, Absolu is a huge departure from the original. The DNA from the classic is only lightly present in the opening before taking a backseat to a powerfully sweet, fruity accord. This is what I imagine the ocean would smell like if a food factory dumped their fruit and sugar reserve into it. Whereas the original had tropical beach vibes, Absolu has nightclub by the beach vibes.
ACQUA DI GIO ABSOLU INSTINCT
As the name suggests, this is closely related to its predecessor — Absolu. Moving even further away from the original Acqua di Gio, Absolu Instict takes a woodier and spicier turn. It opts for a lively sophistication while never abandoning its tropical roots.
Purchase Acqua di Gio Absolu Instinct
ACQUA DI GIO PROFONDO
After further and further distancing itself from the more aquatic notes, Armani chose to reboot the franchise and return to what made the classic Acqua Di Gio so iconic — the tropical aquatic experience. Profondo takes the aquatic notes to heart by taking a deep dive into the ocean. In that sense, the sea blue bottle is a perfect representation of this fragrance. This is the original Acqua di Gio on salty oceanic steroids.
Purchase Acqua di Gio Profondo
Upon its launch, Acqua di Gio became the inspirational standard that so many other fragrances have followed. From the original through its growing franchise, it has firmly established itself as a fragrance for all generations.
© PRODUCT PHOTOS COURTESY OF RETAILER
Having dedicated over a decade of his life to the psychology of scent, "the voice of fragrance" joined Pinappos with the express purpose of sharing his passion for perfume from a unique perspective. During this psychological journey, he has quietly built a reputation as one of the world's foremost fragrance connoisseurs.
