Bottle of Obsession Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein · 1985

Obsession

Eighties amber at its most brazen: warm, spiced and impossible to ignore.

Launched
1985
Concentration
Eau de Parfum
Perfumer
Jean Guichard

Fragrance pyramid

Obsession notes

Top notes

The first minutes

Heart notes

The character, for hours

Base notes

The lingering trail

Our take

What does Obsession smell like?

Released in 1985, Obsession embodies a decade that loved fragrances big enough to fill a room, and Calvin Klein framed it as a sensual manifesto through famously provocative campaigns. The opening pairs mandarin and bergamot, quickly wrapped in vanilla like candied peel. In the heart, jasmine and orange blossom mingle with creamy sandalwood that rounds every edge. Then amber takes over, thickened by animalic musk and a curl of incense smoke that gives the base an almost liturgical feel. The result is dense, resinous and faintly powdery, with that sweater-deep warmth you still smell the next morning. An uncompromising ambery oriental.

When to wear it

One spray is enough for a winter night out. It suits those who embrace period fragrances and like to leave a trail.

VerdictAn ambery classic with enormous presence, though it may feel dated to anyone chasing lightness.

It belongs to the Oriental / Amber family. Obsession is one of 5 creations by Calvin Klein in our encyclopedia.

Obsession: FAQ

What are the notes of Obsession?

Obsession by Calvin Klein opens with Mandarin, Bergamot and Vanilla. Its heart combines Jasmine, Orange Blossom and Sandalwood, over a base of Amber, Musk and Incense.

Is Obsession for men or women?

Calvin Klein presents Obsession as a Feminine fragrance. Nothing stops anyone from wearing it: modern perfumery happily blurs these lines.

When was Obsession released?

Obsession was launched in 1985 by Calvin Klein, composed by Jean Guichard. It comes as an Eau de Parfum.

When should you wear Obsession?

Ideally in autumn and winter. One spray is enough for a winter night out. It suits those who embrace period fragrances and like to leave a trail.

Which perfumes smell like Obsession?

Based on shared notes, the closest are Libre Intense (Yves Saint Laurent), L'Instant de Guerlain (Guerlain), Giorgio (Giorgio Beverly Hills).