F-40 | Inspired by Portrait of a Lady

Rose, patchouli and incense. Inspired by Portrait of a Lady.

An enormous rose, full and dark straight away, with patchouli and incense underneath giving it something almost ecclesiastical. This is not a sweet-natured floral but a statement.

How it develops

The rose is there from the first second: Turkish rose, full, jammy and velvety, without a fresh run-up and without hesitation. The patchouli sits right underneath — earthy, dark, a little camphorous — and those two together are the whole character: flower and earth, equally strong. The incense makes it ceremonial: resinous, smoky, as if the rose were standing in an old church. In the base sandalwood and amber join in to keep it warm and smooth, but the rose stays in charge until the last hour.

Who it's for, and when

Evenings and winter. Too present for the office, and not meant for anyone who wants to smell subtle. Love rose but want it softer and with musk, see M-370. Looking for rose with oud and spices instead of incense, P-180 is the neighbour.

How to wear it

One spray on the neck is enough for most evenings; two for outdoors in the cold. On moisturised skin, don't rub. More is too much for the people around you.