A Total Letdown, But the Sales Rep Saved the Day - and the Scent is Pure Magic!
Hello friends. I headed to Lety's at the end of December, hoping to find something to spend my bonuses on.
I had no idea what I needed, and I was lazily wandering from stand to stand, looking at the pathetic remnants of the selection. That's when I met a sales associate. After hearing my 'Hmm... I don't know... maybe perfume', she beamed and headed to the shelf with those bottles.
I was completely taken aback - I'd never seen anything so tasteless. Some Antonio Maretto... What is that even? 'Italian luxury brand'? Why haven't I ever heard of it?
However, after politely sniffing a few, I wasn't even frowning anymore, and I was intensely waving my blotter and googling notes.
I really liked the Safe World fragrance, but at the same time, it seemed somehow unforgettably familiar. But we'll get to that later.
Where to Buy, Price
Right now on Lety's website, the perfume costs 8000 for 50ml, but I think that's overpriced. I got it for half the price, which is perfect, if you ask me.
Year of creation: 2022.
Fragrance group: Fruity, floral.
Perfumer: Cristian Calabro.
Description of the Bottle
Many people go wild over the bottle, saying it's breathtakingly beautiful, but to me, it looked like those bottles sold on markets in the late 90s. Back then, manufacturers competed to see who could add the most decorations to the bottle, so a young girl with sparkling eyes, looking through the murky glass of a cosmetics stall, would definitely choose it.
As far as I understand, these engravings on the cap are encrypted letters A and M.
Next to Dior and Tom Ford, Antonio Marette looks like a bit of an oddball at a high-society party.
It turns out Antonio Marette is a brand from L'Etual, but what's interesting is that it's actually made in Italy.
The Fragrance Pyramid
Top notes - Bergamot, Aldehydes, Pineapple
Middle notes - Gardenia, Rose
Base notes - Amber, Cedar
My Take on the Fragrance
The opening notes are spot on for me: a fresh, fruity pineapple with a citrus twist.
The balance of sweetness, freshness, and a hint of acidity is just right - not too much of anything, but just enough.
I was surprised by how a warm, golden bottle with a Bordelaise flair could unleash such a vibrant, sparkling start. It's more like a lively, energetic opening, rather than the stuffy, old-school vibe I was expecting - more like a Puig.
As the fragrance evolves, the acidity fades away, and the sweetness takes over, with a distinct rose note that I just can't get enough of. It's not cloying or overpowering, but rather subtle and refined, like the best high-end skincare.
I'm not familiar with the scent of gardenia, but maybe the combination of rose and gardenia creates this smooth, powdery harmony.
The fragrance reminds me of something, and after a bit of thought, I realized it's Versace Bright Crystal! The opening notes are particularly reminiscent of it, although it's not a direct twin. It's more like a cousin, with a similar vibe, but with a more mature, grounded feel, thanks to the powdery middle and woody base notes.
I've seen those two women, Rita Dakota and her daughter, and they're both stunning. They're like sisters, but you can tell the mom is a bit older. I asked someone, and it turns out the younger one is actually Versace Bright Crystal, while the older one is the mother, Antonio Maretto.
Rita Dakota and her momI have to say, the scent doesn't smell cheap or artificial. It's not the most original, maybe a bit too familiar, but it's still pretty alluring and harmonious. It's a decent, high-quality perfume.
The aftertaste is really pleasant and gentle.
And let's be real, it wasn't created by some no-name brand - it was crafted by Christian Calabro, a well-known perfumer who's worked with several big-name brands.
Longevity and Sillage
I've read a lot of reviews saying the perfume isn't long-lasting, but from my experience, it's got decent longevity - about 3-4 hours, and I can still smell it from my wrist.
The sillage is pretty short, and the scent stays close to the skin.
Who It's For
I think this perfume would be perfect for women in their 30s to 45s who prefer elegant, easy-to-wear luxury scents over complex, niche fragrances. When you just want to enjoy a nice, pleasant smell without feeling like you're wearing a lab experiment.
Verdict
For $400, it's a solid 5/5 with two thumbs up. But if it's $800... I'd think twice. If you can get a discount or apply some bonus points, and it's back to $400, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.
That's it, thanks for reading!