Armani Mania for Women by Giorgio Armani is an elegant floral-woody Eau de Parfum that combines spicy pink pepper, aromatic bay leaf, juicy orange, tart black currant, and green mandarin with magnolia, peony, iris, and lily of the valley. Cedarwood, white sandalwood, vanilla, amber, and musk create a smooth, powdery, warm, softly sweet dry down.
Released in 2004, Armani Mania for Women was created by perfumer Dominique Ropion.
The fragrance reflects a very different style from many of Giorgio Armani’s current women’s fragrances.
It is less obviously sweet than Sì.
Less dominated by tuberose than My Way.
Less aquatic than Acqua di Gioia.
Instead, Armani Mania balances spicy citrus, dark fruit, polished flowers, powdery iris, creamy woods, vanilla, amber, and musk.
The result feels elegant, feminine, composed, slightly sensual, and remarkably versatile.
Armani Mania opens with pink pepper, bay leaf, orange, black currant, and green mandarin.
Its heart combines magnolia, peony, iris, and lily of the valley.
The dry down settles into cedarwood, musk, vanilla, sandalwood, and amber.
Armani Mania is especially appealing to women who enjoy black currant, iris, magnolia, peony, soft vanilla, creamy woods, powdery florals, sophisticated discontinued perfumes, and fragrances that feel feminine without becoming overly sugary.
What Does Armani Mania Smell Like?
Armani Mania smells floral, powdery, woody, softly fruity, spicy, musky, warm, and feminine.
Its defining character comes from the contrast between a lively fruit-and-spice opening and a smooth powdery floral and woody dry down.
The fragrance opens with pink pepper, bay leaf, orange, black currant, and green mandarin.
Pink Pepper
Pink pepper creates one of the opening’s most recognizable effects.
It smells:
Fresh
Peppery
Rosy
Slightly fruity
Bright
Aromatic
Pink pepper adds sparkle without creating the dry heat of black pepper.
It makes the opening feel energetic and contemporary.
The effect works especially well with black currant and green mandarin because all three notes have a bright, slightly tart quality.
Bay Leaf
Bay leaf is one of Armani Mania’s more unusual notes.
It can smell:
Herbal
Green
Aromatic
Slightly spicy
Dry
Bay leaf gives the fragrance an unexpected savory-green quality.
It prevents the black currant, orange, flowers, and vanilla from feeling overly soft.
This note is one reason Armani Mania feels more distinctive than a conventional fruity floral.
The bay leaf may suggest:
Fresh herbs
Crushed aromatic leaves
A slightly Mediterranean green accord
Dry botanical spice
It remains integrated rather than making the perfume smell culinary.
Orange
Orange gives the opening juicy citrus warmth.
It smells:
Bright
Sweet
Fresh
Rounded
Juicy
The orange softens the sharper green mandarin and pink pepper.
It also works naturally with vanilla and amber in the base, creating a subtle continuity from opening to dry down.
Black Currant
Black currant adds dark fruit depth.
It can smell:
Tart
Juicy
Green
Rich
Slightly wine-like
Black currant gives Armani Mania a sophisticated fruity character.
Unlike very sweet raspberry or strawberry accords, cassis can produce tartness and leafy greenness.
The black currant works especially well with pink pepper and bay leaf because all three contribute complexity and contrast.
Green Mandarin
Green mandarin provides fresh citrus brightness.
It is generally:
Sharper
Greener
Less sweet
More aromatic
than ripe mandarin orange.
This gives the opening energy without becoming sugary.
Overall, Armani Mania begins with a polished mixture of citrus, dark berries, pepper, and aromatic greenery.
What Does the Heart of Armani Mania Smell Like?
As the opening settles, magnolia, peony, iris, and lily of the valley become more noticeable.
Magnolia
Magnolia is one of the most important floral notes in Armani Mania.
It can smell:
Creamy
Floral
Fresh
Slightly citrusy
Smooth
Magnolia gives the fragrance body without becoming as dense as tuberose or gardenia.
It creates a soft, elegant floral texture.
Some wearers may perceive magnolia as lightly lemony or waxy.
This allows it to blend especially well with green mandarin and orange.
Peony
Peony contributes fresh floral softness.
It smells:
Dewy
Light
Rosy
Fresh
Transparent
Peony gives the heart a feminine spring-like quality.
It prevents iris and vanilla from making the fragrance feel too powdery or heavy.
Iris
Iris creates the fragrance’s most noticeable powdery character.
It can smell:
Powdery
Cosmetic
Soft
Earthy
Violet-like
Elegant
Iris gives Armani Mania sophistication.
It may suggest:
Luxury face powder
Soft lipstick
Smooth suede-like powder
A clean floral cosmetic scent
The iris becomes especially attractive as it blends with sandalwood, vanilla, musk, and cedarwood.
This powdery texture is one of the reasons Armani Mania feels polished rather than overtly fruity.
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley introduces clean green floral freshness.
It smells:
Fresh
Dewy
Green
Lightly soapy
Floral
Lily of the valley helps keep the heart airy.
It also provides continuity with the bay leaf and green mandarin from the opening.
Together, magnolia, peony, iris, and lily of the valley create a floral heart that feels sophisticated, soft, powdery, and feminine.
What Does Armani Mania Smell Like in the Dry Down?
The dry down combines cedarwood, musk, vanilla, white sandalwood, and amber.
This is where Armani Mania becomes particularly smooth and comforting.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood provides dry woody structure.
It smells:
Clean
Dry
Woody
Slightly resinous
Polished
Cedarwood prevents the vanilla, amber, and musk from becoming overly soft.
It also gives Armani Mania enough structure for professional and evening wear.
White Sandalwood
Sandalwood contributes creamy woodiness.
It can smell:
Smooth
Milky
Warm
Soft
Woody
Sandalwood works naturally with iris and vanilla.
The combination creates one of Armani Mania’s most attractive dry-down effects: creamy powder wrapped around warm woods.
Vanilla
Vanilla adds restrained sweetness.
It smells:
Warm
Creamy
Smooth
Softly sweet
Balsamic
Armani Mania is not a vanilla gourmand.
The vanilla remains balanced by cedarwood, iris, musk, pepper, and bay leaf.
It functions as a smoothing material rather than a dessert note.
Amber
Amber adds warmth and depth.
It may smell:
Warm
Softly sweet
Resinous
Golden
Smooth
The amber gives the dry down greater sensuality and helps Armani Mania feel appropriate for evening wear.
Musk
Musk creates a clean skin-like finish.
It can smell:
Soft
Warm
Clean
Powdery
Skin-like
The musk blends seamlessly with iris, sandalwood, amber, and vanilla.
Overall, Armani Mania smells like tart black currant, green citrus, pink pepper, and aromatic bay leaf developing into magnolia, peony, and powdery iris before drying into creamy sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla, amber, and musk.
What Are the Top, Heart, and Base Notes?
Release Year: 2004
Perfumer: Dominique Ropion
Top Notes
Pink Pepper
Bay Leaf
Orange
Black Currant
Green Mandarin
Heart Notes
Magnolia
Peony
Iris
Lily of the Valley
Base Notes
Virginia Cedarwood
Musk
Vanilla
White Sandalwood
Amber
The opening is spicy, citrusy, green, and fruity.
The heart becomes floral, powdery, soft, and elegant.
The dry down becomes woody, musky, warm, creamy, and softly sweet.
Is Armani Mania for Men, Women, or Unisex?
This Armani Mania Eau de Parfum is marketed as a fragrance for women.
Its magnolia, peony, iris, lily of the valley, vanilla, powdery texture, and feminine presentation support that positioning.
However, it is not an extremely sweet or traditionally girlish perfume.
Bay leaf, pink pepper, cedarwood, sandalwood, black currant, and musk give it substantial structure.
Anyone who enjoys powdery florals, woods, musk, and cassis can wear Armani Mania regardless of gender.
It should not be confused with Armani Mania for Him, which is a completely separate men’s fragrance.
How Long Does Armani Mania Last?
Armani Mania typically lasts approximately 7 to 9 hours on skin.
Performance can vary according to:
Skin chemistry
Application amount
Bottle age
Production period
Storage conditions
Temperature
Humidity
Because Armani Mania is discontinued, bottle age is particularly important.
The black currant, citrus, bay leaf, and pink pepper opening is generally most noticeable during the first one to two hours.
Magnolia, peony, iris, and lily of the valley then become more prominent.
Vanilla, sandalwood, cedarwood, amber, and musk can remain noticeable for several additional hours.
The woody musky base may last considerably longer on clothing.
Well-stored older bottles can still perform exceptionally well.
How Strong Is Armani Mania’s Projection?
Armani Mania generally has moderate to strong projection during the opening and heart.
Pink pepper, black currant, magnolia, iris, vanilla, and woods create a noticeable scent bubble.
Projection gradually becomes softer as sandalwood, cedarwood, amber, and musk dominate the dry down.
Armani Mania is noticeable without generally becoming as overpowering as fragrances such as Angel or Alien.
Two to four sprays are appropriate for most situations.
What Fragrance Family Is Armani Mania?
Armani Mania for Women is best classified as a floral woody musk / floral-powdery woody fragrance.
It also has fruity, spicy, amber-like, and softly sweet characteristics.
Its most noticeable qualities include:
Floral
Powdery
Woody
Fruity
Soft Spicy
Vanilla
Musky
Amber
Citrus
Elegant
The South Beach Perfumes page currently classifies Armani Mania as chypre, floral, woody, and amber.
That describes several aspects of the scent, but floral woody musk is the more established primary family classification.
What Seasons Is Armani Mania Best For?
Armani Mania works especially well during fall, winter, and spring.
Fall
Fall may be its strongest season.
Black currant, pink pepper, iris, vanilla, amber, sandalwood, and cedarwood feel especially polished in cooler air.
Winter
Winter also works very well.
Vanilla, amber, musk, and woods provide enough warmth for indoor and evening wear.
Spring
Spring is an excellent alternative.
Magnolia, peony, lily of the valley, green mandarin, and orange give the fragrance enough brightness for mild temperatures.
Summer
Armani Mania can work during summer evenings or in air-conditioned settings.
During extreme heat, the vanilla, powdery iris, and amber may become heavier.
Best season: Fall
Also excellent: Spring and winter
Good option: Summer evenings
Is Armani Mania Better for Daytime or Nighttime?
Armani Mania works beautifully during both daytime and nighttime.
Daytime
It works well for:
Office wear
Professional meetings
Business lunches
Shopping
Travel
Spring events
Cool-weather daytime activities
Nighttime
It is especially attractive for:
Dinner dates
Formal dinners
Cocktail events
Theater outings
Holiday gatherings
Anniversary celebrations
Its fruit and citrus provide daytime energy.
Its vanilla, iris, woods, amber, and musk provide nighttime warmth.
What Occasions Should Armani Mania Be Worn For?
Recommended occasions include:
Office wear
Business meetings
Professional lunches
Dinner dates
Formal dinners
Weddings
Theater outings
Cocktail events
Anniversary celebrations
Holiday gatherings
Travel
Elegant casual wear
Signature fragrance use
Fragrance-collector occasions
Its polished character makes it especially effective when the wearer wants to smell sophisticated without wearing an overpowering perfume.
What Age Range Is Armani Mania Best Suited For?
Armani Mania is generally suitable for approximately 25 years old and older, although fragrance preference matters more than age.
Women in their twenties may enjoy its black currant, vanilla, and soft florals.
Women in their thirties and forties may especially appreciate its office-to-evening versatility.
Women in their fifties and beyond may enjoy its powdery iris, creamy woods, elegance, and connection to early-2000s designer perfumery.
Younger fragrance enthusiasts who enjoy refined powdery scents may also appreciate it.
Is Armani Mania Office Appropriate?
Yes. Armani Mania is an excellent office perfume when applied moderately.
Its green mandarin, magnolia, peony, iris, woods, musk, and restrained vanilla create a polished professional impression.
Recommended office application: 2 to 3 sprays
For small or fragrance-sensitive offices, use one or two sprays.
It works particularly well for:
Corporate offices
Executive environments
Customer-facing roles
Professional lunches
Business travel
Meetings
Formal workplaces
Is it good for dates? Yes. Armani Mania is particularly strong for sophisticated dinner dates. Black currant, iris, vanilla, sandalwood, amber, and musk create a warm, feminine, intimate impression.
Is it a safe blind buy? It is reasonably safe for someone who enjoys powdery florals, black currant, iris, vanilla, and creamy woods. Because it is discontinued and potentially difficult to replace, sampling is preferable when possible.
What Fragrances Smell Similar to Armani Mania?
Shoppers who enjoy Armani Mania’s black currant, floral powderiness, vanilla, musk, and creamy woods may also appreciate these fragrances from the South Beach Perfumes catalog:
Sì by Giorgio Armani
Sì combines blackcurrant with rose, freesia, vanilla, patchouli, woody notes, and ambroxan.
It shares Armani Mania’s blackcurrant richness, floral elegance, vanilla warmth, and sophisticated feminine identity but feels sweeter, fruitier, less powdery, and more modern.
Michael Kors Wonderlust
Michael Kors Wonderlust combines almond milk, bergamot, pink pepper, heliotrope, jasmine sambac, carnation, benzoin, sandalwood, and cashmeran.
It shares Armani Mania’s pink-pepper spice, creamy woods, powdery warmth, and elegant feminine character but feels nuttier, creamier, more almond-like, and less fruity.
Ellen Tracy by Ellen Tracy
Ellen Tracy combines peach, plum, cinnamon, green notes, iris-like powder, rose, orchid, ylang-ylang, jasmine, sandalwood, amber, musk, oakmoss, and tonka bean.
It shares Armani Mania’s fruit, powdery floral character, woods, amber, musk, and polished femininity but feels spicier, more complex, more traditional, and less focused on blackcurrant.
These fragrances are not exact copies of Armani Mania.
Each captures a related part of its fruity, powdery, woody, musky, or elegant personality.
What Is the Difference Between Armani Mania for Women and Armani Mania for Him?
They are completely separate fragrances.
Armani Mania for Women
Released: 2004
Perfumer: Dominique Ropion
Concentration: Eau de Parfum
Signature Notes:
Pink Pepper
Bay Leaf
Green Mandarin
Black Currant
Magnolia
Peony
Iris
Vanilla
Sandalwood
Amber
Musk
Cedarwood
Character:
Floral
Powdery
Woody
Fruity
Feminine
Armani Mania for Him
The men’s Armani Mania is an aromatic woody fragrance with a completely different composition.
It emphasizes citrus, saffron-like spice, cedarwood, vetiver, musk, and amber-like warmth depending on the published structure.
It feels:
Drier
More aromatic
More traditionally masculine
More woody
Less floral
The shared Armani Mania name does not mean they are concentration variations of the same fragrance.
Is Armani Mania the Same as the Older Armani Mania for Women?
No.
This is an important distinction.
Giorgio Armani used the Mania name for more than one women’s fragrance generation.
The 2004 Armani Mania for Women described here is the fragrance in the black-box presentation associated with:
Pink Pepper
Bay Leaf
Orange
Black Currant
Green Mandarin
Magnolia
Peony
Iris
Lily of the Valley
Vanilla
Sandalwood
Amber
Musk
Cedarwood
Earlier Armani fragrance naming and regional packaging can create confusion, so collectors should verify the exact bottle, box, year, and note structure before purchasing.
Why Is This Product Called Mania Blackbox?
The South Beach Perfumes product is labeled Mania (BLACKBOX) to distinguish this particular retail packaging from other Armani Mania presentations.
“Blackbox” refers to the outer packaging presentation.
It does not represent a different concentration or separate fragrance formula by itself.
The product remains:
Armani Mania for Women
Eau de Parfum
1 oz Spray
A boxed presentation when sold as the standard variant
The page also offers a 1 oz Spray Unboxed option.
What Is the Difference Between Boxed and Unboxed Armani Mania?
The South Beach Perfumes page offers:
1 oz Spray
1 oz Spray Unboxed
Both contain Armani Mania Eau de Parfum.
Boxed Version
Includes the standard retail carton.
Best for:
Collectors
Gift giving
Customers who want complete packaging
Unboxed Version
The fragrance:
Does not include the standard retail box
Contains the same authentic fragrance
May come from excess distributor inventory or other legitimate fragrance channels
Is generally better suited to personal use than gifting
The absence of the retail box does not mean that the fragrance is used, diluted, or counterfeit.
Does Armani Mania Smell Powdery?
Yes.
Iris is one of the heart’s most noticeable materials and creates a distinct powdery effect.
The powderiness is reinforced by:
Vanilla
Musk
Sandalwood
Magnolia
This can suggest:
Luxury cosmetics
Soft face powder
Smooth floral cream
Warm skin
The fragrance is powdery without becoming excessively dry.
Does Armani Mania Smell Like Black Currant?
Yes.
Black currant is an important opening note.
It creates a dark fruity effect that is balanced by orange, green mandarin, pink pepper, and bay leaf.
The black currant does not dominate the entire fragrance in the way it can in Sì.
As Armani Mania develops, iris, magnolia, woods, musk, and vanilla become more prominent.
Is Armani Mania Sweet?
Armani Mania is moderately sweet.
Its sweetness comes primarily from:
Black Currant
Orange
Vanilla
Amber
Sandalwood
However, the fragrance is balanced by:
Pink Pepper
Bay Leaf
Green Mandarin
Iris
Cedarwood
Musk
This keeps it from becoming a full gourmand.
Is Armani Mania a Vanilla Perfume?
Vanilla is an important base note, but Armani Mania is not primarily a vanilla perfume.
It is better described as:
a powdery floral-woody fragrance with fruit and a warm vanilla base.
Iris, magnolia, black currant, sandalwood, and cedarwood are equally important to its identity.
Is Armani Mania a Gourmand Perfume?
No.
Armani Mania has sweet and creamy qualities but is not primarily gourmand.
It does not revolve around edible notes such as:
Caramel
Chocolate
Praline
Coffee
Cake
Marshmallow
Its vanilla supports a traditional floral-woody perfume structure.
Is Armani Mania Long Lasting?
Yes.
Armani Mania generally has good longevity.
Expect approximately 7 to 9 hours on many wearers.
Well-stored older bottles can perform especially well.
Because the fragrance is discontinued, individual bottle performance may vary.
What Is the Difference Between Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette?
The South Beach Perfumes product is Armani Mania Eau de Parfum.
Eau de Parfum generally contains a higher concentration of aromatic materials than Eau de Toilette, although the formula itself determines actual performance.
Armani Mania Eau de Parfum emphasizes:
Blackcurrant richness
Powdery floral depth
Creamy woods
Vanilla warmth
Good longevity
Moderate-to-strong projection
Learn more about fragrance concentrations
Is Armani Mania Discontinued?
Yes. Armani Mania for Women is discontinued.
It is no longer part of Giorgio Armani’s active women’s fragrance collection.
The South Beach Perfumes 1 oz Spray and 1 oz Spray Unboxed variants are currently shown as sold out.
Authentic bottles now circulate primarily through:
Established fragrance retailers
Remaining distributor inventory
Discontinued-fragrance specialists
Collectors
Secondary fragrance markets
A retailer having inventory does not mean Giorgio Armani has restarted production.
Because Armani Mania has a dedicated following, authentic older bottles can become increasingly difficult to replace.
When Was Armani Mania Released?
Armani Mania for Women was released in 2004.
The fragrance arrived during a period when Giorgio Armani was developing several modern fragrance pillars alongside Acqua di Giò, Emporio Armani, and Armani Code.
Armani Mania for Women emphasized sophisticated femininity through:
Black Currant
Spicy Citrus
Magnolia
Peony
Iris
Creamy Woods
Vanilla
Amber
Musk
Its black-box presentation reinforced the fragrance’s elegant and evening-oriented identity.
Who Created Armani Mania?
Armani Mania for Women was created by perfumer Dominique Ropion.
Ropion is one of the most respected perfumers in modern fragrance and is known for creating compositions that combine strong identity with technical precision.
In Armani Mania:
Pink pepper creates sparkle.
Bay leaf provides aromatic greenery.
Black currant adds dark fruit.
Green mandarin and orange provide citrus brightness.
Magnolia and peony create floral softness.
Iris adds powder.
Sandalwood and cedarwood create structure.
Vanilla provides warmth.
Amber and musk create a smooth finish.
The result is elegant without becoming excessively formal.
How Many Sprays of Armani Mania Should Be Used?
Because Armani Mania has good longevity and most bottles are now older inventory, moderate application is recommended.
Office or professional setting: 2 sprays
Casual daytime wear: 2 to 4 sprays
Lunch or daytime date: 3 sprays
Dinner or evening date: 3 to 4 sprays
Formal event: 3 to 5 sprays
Outdoor fall or winter wear: 4 to 5 sprays
Begin conservatively when testing an older bottle.
A balanced application can include one spray on the upper chest and one on each side of the neck.
Is Armani Mania Authentic?
Yes. Armani Mania sold by South Beach Perfumes is authentic.
South Beach Perfumes sells authentic designer fragrances sourced through established distribution channels.
Because Armani Mania was released in 2004 and is now discontinued, authentic products can vary according to:
Production period
Black-box packaging generation
Bottle details
Cap design
Logo placement
Batch-code location
Ingredient lists
Country of distribution
Boxed versus unboxed presentation
Older bottles may show:
Box wear
Minor cosmetic aging
Changes in fragrance-liquid color
Small packaging differences
These characteristics do not automatically indicate that a fragrance is counterfeit.
Older and newer bottles may also vary somewhat in:
Citrus brightness
Blackcurrant intensity
Powderiness
Vanilla richness
Projection
Longevity
Bottle age and storage history become especially important with discontinued perfume.
Learn more about our product guarantee policy
Who Should Buy Armani Mania?
Armani Mania is an excellent choice for someone who:
Enjoys black currant
Likes pink pepper
Appreciates green mandarin
Enjoys magnolia
Likes peony
Appreciates iris
Enjoys powdery perfumes
Likes sandalwood
Appreciates cedarwood
Enjoys vanilla
Likes amber
Appreciates musk
Collects discontinued Giorgio Armani perfumes
Wants an elegant evening fragrance
Enjoys sophisticated floral-woody perfumes
It is particularly appealing to someone who wants a perfume that smells floral, powdery, woody, fruity, warm, elegant, feminine, and sophisticated.
Who May Not Like Armani Mania?
Armani Mania may not appeal to someone who:
Dislikes powdery fragrances
Avoids iris
Does not enjoy black currant
Prefers extremely fresh aquatics
Wants a heavy gourmand
Prefers very youthful fruity perfumes
Dislikes vanilla
Avoids woody fragrances
Wants enormous projection
Needs a fragrance that is easy to replace
Does not collect discontinued perfumes
Prefers minimal skin scents
Wants oud, tobacco, or leather
Its blackcurrant, florals, iris, woods, vanilla, amber, and musk are central to its identity.
South Beach Perfumes Expert Review
Armani Mania for Women is one of the more refined discontinued fragrances from Giorgio Armani’s early-2000s era.
Its opening is immediately distinctive.
Pink pepper provides sparkle.
Bay leaf gives the fragrance an aromatic green edge.
Green mandarin and orange create brightness.
Black currant adds dark fruity richness.
The heart is where Armani Mania becomes especially elegant.
Magnolia gives the fragrance creamy floral softness.
Peony adds freshness.
Lily of the valley introduces clean greenery.
Iris provides the powdery texture that defines much of the fragrance’s personality.
The dry down is exceptionally smooth.
Sandalwood creates creaminess.
Cedarwood adds structure.
Vanilla gives the perfume restrained sweetness.
Amber provides warmth.
Musk leaves a soft and polished trail.
Its greatest strength is balance.
Armani Mania is fruity without smelling like a fruit cocktail.
Floral without becoming a large traditional bouquet.
Powdery without becoming dry.
Sweet without becoming gourmand.
Woody without becoming masculine.
That balance makes it suitable for offices, dinners, dates, formal events, fall weather, spring evenings, and signature wear.
Compared with Sì, Armani Mania is more powdery, less sweet, less blackcurrant-dominant, and more woody.
Compared with Michael Kors Wonderlust, Armani Mania is less creamy, less almond-like, fruitier, and more classically elegant.
Compared with Ellen Tracy, Armani Mania is smoother, less spicy, less complex, more iris-focused, and more refined.
Its primary limitation is availability.
Armani Mania has been discontinued, and authentic replacement bottles are increasingly difficult to find.
Its powdery iris character may also feel elegant and luxurious to one wearer but too cosmetic or mature to another.
For someone who enjoys pink pepper, bay leaf, green mandarin, orange, black currant, magnolia, peony, iris, lily of the valley, vanilla, white sandalwood, amber, musk, and cedarwood, Armani Mania remains an excellent discontinued Giorgio Armani fragrance with strong fall, spring, evening, office, date-night, formal, nostalgic, and collector appeal.
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