Dimensione Uomo
Ciccarelli (1977)

A delightful surprise I found for pennies in one of Italy's "seven wonders" – dusty, old perfume shops. A honest, but no way cheap classic fougère, herbal, fresh and bright with a tasty and bold bergamot-citrus note, then spices (cumin) oak moss, musk (civet?) aldehydes, carnation, rose, perhaps tobacco, woods and leather. Quite classic yet unique in its own way. The "official" notes listed are a bit different from what I smell, perhaps the previous recipe was slightly different (this has been produced for ages I think), because I clearly smell some of these I've indicated. I also detect a subtle iodine note (not calone, rather a salty aldehydes side-effect), a "clean" feeling of light flowers, and also a sage-minty note which gives just the perfect amount of breezy freshness to counter-balance the heavier, gloomier and more animalic basenotes. A true classic and nostalgic scent, but particularly – and surprisingly, I'd say – refined and fresh, it kind of smells like a lighter and more "civilized" take on the vintage formulation of Puig's Quorum – still mossy and leathery, just with some fresher notes above. It also reminds me of Moschino pour Homme, less complex and less leathery, but somehow close to some extent. Absolutely cozy, modern, elegant, well-made, with the typical 1970's dry "darkness" and shadiness of many fougères of that era, especially the Italian ones. Musky and almost chypre-sque drydown, again salty, and quite long-lasting (my bottle is a vintage EDC).

7,5-8/10

I have taken the liberty of providing a rough translation of the review below. It seems to be from a person familiar with the product in its early days, and the Italian scene generally. Here is my assessment. I purchased this at an Italian deli, $10 for a 100 ml splash bottle. Given its inexpensive price, I am satisfied with the scent. It has a salty-lemony quality which develops some tangy notes which are probably due to the lavender. The rose is not particularly evident, and the musk provides a satisfactory foundation. Certainly at that price it is worth checking out.“Dimensione Uomo [Dimension Man] is a men's line famous in 1976 (not 1977 as wrongly indicated in this site), launched with much publicity from the pharmaceutical enterprise Dr. Ciccarelli of Milan. Comprised of strong notes of bergamot and fine woods, it is a unique composition; difficult to describe but in every way memorable! The marketing strategy placed it in many perfume counters and pharmacies and was a true innovation for its time. There was a full product line: shaving articles, soap, bath foam, eau de cologne, deodorants and shampoo... regrettably, the line has had varied fortunes in the 80's and 90's, including some reorganization and distribution in supermarkets, and perhaps a decline in quality.”

Linea maschile lanciata nel 1976 (e non nel 1977 come erroneamente e' segnalato qui in questo sito), con molta pubblicita' dall'azienda Dr.Ciccarelli di Milano.Forte di note di bergamotto e di legni pregiati, una composizione unica, tutto sommato difficile da descrivere, ad ogni modo molti la ricorderanno!Di grande successo, la si trovava sia in profumeria che in farmacia (e questa forse e' la vera novita' per l'epoca).La linea comprendeva tutto per l'uomo: articoli per rasatura, sapone, schiume, colonia, deodoranti & shampoo, il tutto contraddistinto dal colore bordeaux delle confezioni e dall'ormai storico marchio raffigurante "l'uomo di Leonardo Da Vinci".La linea (assieme alla profumazione) e' stata variata alla fine degli anni '80 (con insuccesso).Rilanciata alla fine degli anni '90 con una terza profumazione e con una linea molto ridimensionata e di distribuzione nei supermercati...niente da fare, non ha avuto quell'eppeal che ebbe con quella buona e ricca linea 70's, di cui tutti gli affezionati rimpiangono.