Chris 1947

The Verdict

Dior Chris 1947 was released in 2003 as a very limited edition fragrance, sold exclusively through select European perfumeries and airport duty-free shops. Named with a nod to Christian Dior's founding year, it arrived in a glittery pink version of the classic Diorissimo bottle, projecting a rock-and-roll glamour that the house described as romantic and spontaneous. The fragrance was produced in extremely small quantities and has long since been discontinued.

Community reception reflects a fragrance that was always more about the package than the juice. Reviews across Fragrantica, MakeupAlley, and fragrance blogs describe a pleasant but generic fruity-floral that was targeted at younger women and never aspired to the complexity that defines Dior's best work. Today, it survives primarily as a collector's piece, with those who wore it in their youth holding nostalgic affection for a scent they acknowledge was never remarkable.

What It Smells Like

The opening delivers a tart burst of cranberry that provides an unusual and appealing start. It is sparkling and slightly acidic, a refreshing departure from the generic sweet fruit openings common in mid-2000s feminine fragrances. This cranberry brightness fades relatively quickly into the floral heart.

The middle stage brings freesia, sweet pea, lily-of-the-valley, violet, and the unusual inclusion of cactus blossom. Reviewers describe this phase as a clean and crisp ozonic quality with a tinge of berry scent that rapidly evolves into violet. The floral bouquet is light and airy rather than rich or heady, projecting a youthful, fresh-scrubbed femininity.

The base narrows to musk alone, creating a fluffy, skin-like finish that one reviewer called a pleasure to wear. The musk is warm without being animalic, providing a comfortable, intimate closing chapter that stays close to skin.

When to Wear It

Chris 1947 is a casual daytime fragrance suited to spring and summer. Its light, youthful character works for shopping trips, brunch, and other relaxed social occasions. The lack of heaviness or complexity makes it appropriate for younger wearers or anyone seeking a playful, no-commitment scent.

Its modest presence makes it unsuitable for evenings, formal occasions, or any setting where a fragrance needs to make an impression.

Longevity & Projection

Performance is consistently cited as weak. Blog reviewers note that when sprayed on skin it does not stay long, though it lasts longer on clothing. By the end of the day, only a faint whiff of sweetness remains. Multiple sources confirm that this is a fragrance that barely lasts two to three hours on skin, with sillage that stays extremely close from the start. For a Dior release, even a limited edition, this represents disappointing performance.

The Community Says

The small community of Chris 1947 owners tends to view it through a nostalgic lens. One blogger described it as their first Dior perfume, acknowledging that the house has never made a scent like this again. Fragrantica reviewers call it a fresh green scent that is unapologetically cool despite its bold pink bottle. MakeupAlley reviews describe it as suitable for young girls, being very sweet and fruity. The recurring theme is a fragrance remembered with fondness but acknowledged as modest in its achievements. One reviewer noted their body chemistry eventually caused it to turn unpleasant, though upon revisiting years later, it was all right again.

Who Should Buy This

Chris 1947 is exclusively for Dior collectors and nostalgic former owners. Its extreme rarity, having been sold in very small numbers through limited channels nearly two decades ago, means that encountering a bottle is itself an event. Those who value the unique pink-glitter Diorissimo bottle as a display piece may find the purchase worthwhile independent of the fragrance itself.

No one should seek this out expecting a hidden Dior masterpiece. It is a pleasant memory in a beautiful bottle.

The Bottom Line

Dior Chris 1947 is a charming footnote in the house's extensive catalog. Its cranberry-floral-musk composition offered a light, youthful take on femininity that was perfectly suited to its mid-2000s context but never aspired to timelessness. The glittery pink bottle remains its most memorable feature, and its current collectibility owes more to scarcity than to the quality of the juice inside. For those lucky enough to own a bottle, it is a sweet, uncomplicated pleasure. For everyone else, Dior's mainline offerings continue to set a far higher standard.