First Impressions
The first spray of Flying lives up to its name—there's an immediate sense of lift, of airiness, of stepping into a sun-flooded morning where citrus trees bloom along the Mediterranean coast. Orange blossom, bergamot, and petitgrain arrive in a bright trinity, creating an opening so luminous it nearly sparkles on the skin. This isn't the heavy, indolic orange blossom of classic orientals; instead, it's sheer and effervescent, like catching the scent of blossoms carried on a warm breeze rather than pressing your nose directly into the bloom. The petitgrain adds a slightly green, bitter-fresh edge that keeps the sweetness in check, while bergamot provides that unmistakable earl grey-like brightness that makes you want to close your eyes and breathe deeply.
The Scent Profile
Flying builds its architecture around citrus—the data confirms this is a fully citrus-dominant fragrance at 100%—but it's the interplay with white florals (78%) that gives it dimension beyond a simple cologne. As the initial bergamot-heavy sparkle begins to settle, the heart reveals itself with surprising depth. Neroli essence takes center stage here, adding a slightly bitter, honeyed facet that deepens the orange blossom from the opening. The ylang-ylang contributes a creamy, almost banana-like sweetness, while almond blossom—a less common note—introduces a soft, powdery nuttiness that rounds out the composition.
What makes Flying particularly interesting is how it handles this potentially cloying combination. The white florals never become overwhelming or soapy; they're kept deliberately transparent, allowing skin to show through the scent rather than being masked by it. There's a fresh spicy accord (36%) threading through the heart that adds subtle warmth without ever reading as overtly spiced.
The base is where Flying takes its most modern turn. Ozonic notes (39% in the accord breakdown) create that clean, airy quality that defines contemporary fresh fragrances—think of the scent of rain on hot pavement, or fresh laundry drying in the sun. Musk adds skin-like softness, while moss provides just enough earthiness to ground what could otherwise float away entirely. This isn't a perfume with a heavy, distinctive drydown; instead, it gradually becomes softer and closer to the skin, maintaining its character but in whispered rather than spoken tones.
Character & Occasion
The community data tells a clear story: this is a summer fragrance first and foremost (100%), with strong spring appeal (86%). Those percentages make perfect sense once you've worn Flying—this is a perfume built for warmth, for humidity, for days when heavier compositions would wilt. It performs beautifully in heat, the citrus and white florals reading as refreshing rather than sharp, the ozonic base creating a cooling effect on sun-warmed skin.
Daytime dominance is equally pronounced at 97%, and it's easy to understand why. Flying has a brightness and transparency that feels perfectly suited to morning meetings, outdoor lunches, weekend errands at the farmers market. The 28% night rating suggests some wearers do take it into evening territory—likely during warm-weather casual occasions rather than formal events—but this isn't a perfume that will anchor a dramatic nighttime presence.
Fall (25%) and winter (16%) ratings suggest that while some may reach for it in cooler months, it's likely for those unseasonably warm days or for those who simply crave a reminder of summer brightness during darker seasons. This is decidedly not a cozy, enveloping cold-weather scent.
Community Verdict
With a rating of 3.56 out of 5 based on 509 votes, Flying sits comfortably in "good, not great" territory. This is a solid mid-range score that suggests general appreciation without overwhelming enthusiasm. The vote count indicates respectable interest—this isn't an obscure release, but neither is it a blockbuster that's captured massive attention. That rating likely reflects Flying's nature as a well-executed but somewhat straightforward fresh floral—it does what it sets out to do competently, but perhaps doesn't surprise or transcend its category in ways that would push it into four-star territory.
How It Compares
The similar fragrances list is particularly telling: Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino and several other Maison Martin Margiela fragrances including Lazy Sunday Morning, Beach Walk, and Dancing On The Moon. What these share is a commitment to capturing specific moods and moments with clarity and restraint. Like Neroli Portofino, Flying works in that high-end citrus-neroli space, though it's less intense and perhaps more approachable than Ford's offering. The kinship with other MMM fragrances speaks to the house's aesthetic—conceptual, wearable, focused on evoking atmospheres rather than demanding attention.
The inclusion of Shalimar Eau de Parfum seems initially puzzling given its status as a heavy oriental, but both fragrances feature prominent citrus and floral elements, suggesting some structural similarities despite their vastly different weights and moods.
The Bottom Line
Flying is a fragrance that knows exactly what it wants to be: a breezy, uncomplicated summer companion that prioritizes wearability and mood over complexity or longevity. At 3.56 out of 5, it's earned respect without cult devotion, and that seems appropriate for a scent this deliberately undemanding. It won't be the most distinctive fragrance in your collection, nor will it likely turn heads or garner compliments from strangers, but it will make you feel fresh, polished, and comfortable on warm days.
Who should try it? Anyone seeking an elevated citrus-floral for casual summer wear, fans of the Maison Martin Margiela aesthetic who want something lighter than Beach Walk, or those who find classic neroli colognes too sharp but still crave that Mediterranean brightness. At this rating level, perhaps sample before committing to a full bottle—this is a fragrance you'll know quickly whether you love or can live without.
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