“A woman who does not wear perfume has no future” – Coco Chanel
I have had an incredible time sampling and reviewing the World’s most elegant perfumes available for Viora London. Below is my selection of sophisticated fragrances, each chosen for their ability to stir the emotion.
Classic: Forever in Vogue
Chanel No5
Eau de Parfum
I feel that over the years Chanel N°5 has become one of the most iconic fragrances that simply oozes style and sophistication.
In 1921 that the Russian-born French perfumer Ernest Beaux was commissioned by the fashion designer Gabrielle Chanel to create “a woman’s perfume with a woman’s scent”, rare and powerful.
The fifth sample was chosen and simply named N°5.
Worn most famously by Marilyn Monroe.
A combination of Rose and Jasmine and Vanilla give a powdery scent that’s timeless and unmistakably Chanel N°5.
The bottle itself is integral part of the N°5 overall experience with it’s sharp clean edges and minimalist design.
Available at Harrods:
Dior J’adore
Eau de Toilette
J’adore is the masterpiece of French perfumer Francois Demachy who lovingly created this now classic sensual and alluring scent for Dior.
A masterclass of feminine fragrance. Blending some of the most fragrant flowers such as Ylan-Ylang, Rose, Jasmine and Tuberose produces a long lasting floral yet soft scent.
The J’adore bottle is a celebration of the female form.
Designed by contemporary artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, it is beautifully curved with inspiration taken from the now legendary Amphora perfume bottle created by Christian Dior.
Finally the bottle is completed with an exquisite delicate necklace.
You owe it to yourself to have this fragrance in your collection.
Available at Harvey Nichols:
Miss Dior Originale
Eau de Toilette
This is a fragrance I simply have to keep coming back to.
Miss Dior Original was the first fragrance created by the designer Christian Dior and is a must have for any serious perfume collection.
Using extract from the root of Galbanum for it’s top notes, Sambac Jasmine for its soft feminine flowery fragrance and essence of Patchouli for a slight oriental feel, makes for an intimate and stylish fragrance.
After its re-launch in 2011, perhaps some of it’s mystery has not transferred over from the true original, but it is still an truly unique scent.
The bottle is divine with its clean lines and delicate detail transporting you back to those early glory days of French chic perfumery.
Available at Harvey Nichols:
Joy Forever by Jean Patou
Eau de Parfum
This revised scent by Jean Patou that introduces you to the charm of the classic original Joy fragrance. It gives me chills!
A single ounce of the original perfume when released at the height of the 1929 Great Depression contained over 10,000 jasmine flowers and 28 dozen roses.
It was awarded ‘Scent of the Century’ beating Chanel No 5 source
A luxurious and sophisticated floral fragrance presenting you with layer upon layer of jasmine, roses and orris that lasts a whole evening.
The striking bottle with its exquisite Art Deco design adds so much more to the overall experience of Joy Forever. Truly beautiful.
Available at Harrods:
Shalimar by Guerlain Eau de Parfum
An immersive and sensual journey of floral tones from the orient is where the exquisite fragrance of Shalimar will take you.
Known to be the first oriental perfume in history, Shalimar was created in 1921 by Jacques Guerlain.
The fragrance combines bergamot, iris and vanilla notes to produce an alluring mix of floral and subtle spice.
Enjoy a feeling of sensuality & decadence that hits you with every waft whist wearing it.
The jaw dropping Shalimar bottle with its gracious curves and iconic pedestal was designed by Raymond Guerlain and is the pièce de résistance
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
Eau de Toilette
I feel that Opium definitely deserves a place in our classic fragrance collection. It’s such a seductive and feel good fragrance.
Yves Saint Laurent launched his ground-breaking Oriental inspired fragrance to international acclaim as part of his Autumn/Winter 1977 fashion collection in Paris.
Opium was an instant success and remains to this day one of the top selling perfumes in it’s homeland of France.
A sophisticated Oriental aroma with a blend of mandarin orange zest, citrus, pink peppercorn and jasmine. This updated version will give you that spine tingling sensual and seductive feeling whenever you catch a hint of it.
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
Unique: Make Your Impression
CHROME HEARTS +33+ Eau de Parfum
Time to bring out the rock chic in you!
33+ Eau de Parfum is an eclectic mix of spices and bitter orange.
Founded in 1988 in LA, Chrome Hearts was the brainchild of Richard Stark who set up a small shop selling leather biking gear.
They have worked with he likes of The Roling Stones and The Sex Pistols.
Celebrity fans include Kanye West, Slash, Karl Lagerfield and Britney Spears source.
Fast forward a little over 30 years and Chrom Hearts is now an iconic LA brand selling high-end jewellery, fragrance and everything in between.
Presented in one of the most striking bottles we have seen for a while adds to it’s charm.
Available at Selfridges:
(exclusively)
XERJOFF V Coro Eau de Parfum
XERJOFF is the latest luxury fragrance brand from Sergio Momo.
With the desire to bring together perfume with art forms such as music and opera
V Coro is a fragrance for musical emotion.
Works in harmony when worn to the ballet, opera or classical music recital.
Just a hint can give those chills you feel when you hear certain a piece of music that feels it has meaning only for you.
An initial build of subtle but not under-powered fruity tones radiate into a sudden burst of a floral overture.
The base of vanilla, amber and sandalwood delicately complete the crescendo.
Beautifully presented on XERJOFF’s now trademark esquisite V collection bottle.
Available at Selfridges:
(exclusively)
Cartier Oud & Santal Eau de Parfum
This fragrance is perfect for both men and women. The only problem with that is my other half keeps using it!
If you are looking for a sensual and sophisticated fragrance that is a law unto itself, then look no further.
The French perfumer and in-house perfumer at Cartier, Mathilde Laurent was inspired by her visit to Dubai for this fragrance. Oud (also known as Agarwood) is thought to be the most expensive wood in the world, even more valuable that gold.
Cartier present you with a sublime sensual and sophisticated fragrance experience to heighten your emotion.
Presented in the ultra-high standard you would expect from Cartier, I feel this will end up a future classic given time.
Available at Harrods:
Clive Christian Original Collection No1 Feminine
Plunge yourself into an emotional pool of beauty and sophistication with the complex and rich yet subtle floral and fruitiness tones of this fragrance.
Top notes of Mirabelle Plum, white Peach and Bergamot then combine with Jasmine, Carnation and Rose culminate into a symphony of bouquets to delight the senses.
No.1 is arguably the pinnacle of Clive Christian’s sumptuous range of fragrances.
There are a staggering 248 ingredients sourced from the four corners of the world. This explains the perfumes overall complexity.
Clive Christian Perfume is a leading independent British perfume house with a vision to create the world’s finest perfumes.
Available at Harrods:
Orchid Soleil by Tom Ford Eau De Parfum
Welcome to the warm, bright, yet seductive World of Tom Ford Orchid Soleil.
I find this fragrance is perfect for a summers party and really comes into its own at dusk.
Initially you will be met with a subtle spicy scent thanks to the pink pepper, bitter orange and cypress. Red spider lily and tuberose complete the initial journey.
But it does not end there as you are then hit with a wave of chestnut, vanilla and orchid is then revealed to you for a sensual feeling of pure sunshine.
The bottle is delicately crafted and feels special to the touch.
Available at Harvey Nichols:
Creed Royal White Amber
Eau de Parfum
Creed White Amber is a truly glorious floral and fruity experience all with the sole intention of transporting you to an untouched paradise.
A thought provoking choice of fragrance. In my opinion best suited for those long beach walks to be lost in your own thoughts.
You will be hit by initial notes of fragrant green apple and lush blackcurrant, continuing the journey with a floral fanfare of jasmine and benzoin.
Finally rich amber and Indian sandalwood complete the experience.
The House of Creed has been producing fragrances for over 260 years. White Amber is created by Sixth Generation Master Perfumer Olivier using the rarest infusion techniques.
Available at John Lewis & Partners:
Unparalleled: Pinnacle of Excellence
Clive Christian’s Absolute Rose Crystal perfume oil
Clive Christian’s Absolute Rose Crystal perfume oil is inspired by the their original 1872 collection when Queen Victoria gave the perfumery permission to use the crown on its bottles.
An opulent celebration of British floral history throughout the ages with its heady tones of rose and citrus.
As this is 100% perfume oil, the wearer will be bestowed with unparalleled body, depth and longevity of scent.
Staggeringly requires a hundreds of flower heads to produce just a single drop of this perfume.
Beautifully contained in a hand cut crystal bottle and presented in a hand crafted Walnut Burr box taking 4 weeks to produce.
Available at Harrods:
Bvlgari Le Gemme Collezione Murano Amarena Parfum
Amarena Eau de Parfum is said to be inspired by pink Tourmaline which is a symbol of love and sensuality.
These emotions are reflected in the floral pairing of both rose and tuberose.
The heady and exotic floral scent will have you captivated and your company spellbound.
This is a real collectors piece. Each handcrafted glass bottle of Bvlgari’s Le Gemme Collezione Murano comes from an exclusive limited edition range of just 50.
German Master Perfumer Daniela Andrier trained at Chanel and has created beautiful fragrances for Chanel, Tiffany, Prada, Gucci and Miu Miu to name a few.
She has carefully paired the virtuous nature of rose with the engulfing scent of tuberose.
Available Exclusively at Harrods:
Roja Parfums NüWa Parfum
Inspired by the legend of NüWa, the gentle and kindly Chinese goddess who is said to have created humanity.
You will feel the seductive properties of NüWa with it’s intertwined combination of soft floral tones, Pepper and Sandlewood and the zing of citrus from grapefruit.
Perfect for those late sensual evenings when sleep is not on your mind.
British Perfumer Roja Dove is widely recognised as the world’s most luxurious fragrance perfumer. He is renowned for working with only the finest quality materials.
Presented in a stylish squat bottle with crisp clean lines and fined with a bejeweled stopper.
Available at Harrods: