Musc Ravageur
On request
Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady
Dark rose, tart fruit, clove and incense
Portrait of a Lady is Dominique Ropion's rose, signed in 2010 and presented by the brand as a new take on the chypre family. One rose note opens it, blackcurrant, raspberry and clove fill the heart, and patchouli, sandalwood and frankincense carry the base. It is built on contrast, light against shadow, more than on sweetness.
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The composition
How it unfolds in notes
The curve shows the order in which the notes come forward, not their strength.
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Top notes
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Heart notes
- Blackcurrant
- Raspberry
- Clove
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Base notes
- Patchouli
- Sandalwood
- Frankincense
- Character
- Strong
- Occasion
- Concentration
- Explore by note
In the same spirit
Similar in character
On the skin
How it unfolds
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A single rose
The top has one note, rose, and the brand speaks of Turkish rose pushed to extravagant proportions. There is no citrus to lift the start or soften it. The flower arrives full and deep in colour, and everything after it is arranged around that first, generous impression.
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Tart fruit, dry clove
In the heart, blackcurrant and raspberry add a tart, slightly jammy edge, and clove brings a dry warmth. The fruit stops the rose from turning soft and sugary; the spice gives the middle a faint heat. This is where the shadow side of the brand's light-and-shadow idea shows.
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Wood and resin
Patchouli, sandalwood and frankincense make up the base: earthy, creamy and resinous at once. Patchouli grounds the rose, sandalwood rounds it off, and frankincense leaves a dry, faintly smoky trail. What remains is a dense floral with a woody spine, close to the skin.
Wearing it
When, who and why
How to wear it
A scent with this much body is at home in cooler air, where the resins and wood open slowly. Spray the chest or the inside of the elbows rather than the wrists alone, and leave it a few minutes before judging the heart. One or two sprays carry an evening.
Who it is for
For people who like rose in a darker, more structured form and enjoy the dry bite of clove and the weight of patchouli. It fits dinners, concerts and occasions that ask for some presence. The brand lists it among its women's perfumes, and it suits anyone who prefers a serious floral.
Why choose Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady
Every Frédéric Malle perfume carries its perfumer's name, and this one is signed by Dominique Ropion. The pyramid is short and easy to read: one rose, a heart of dark fruit and clove, a base of patchouli, sandalwood and frankincense. It is a floral chypre built for depth, not for brightness.
At a glance
- House
- Frederic Malle
- Perfumer
- Dominique Ropion
- Year
- 2010
- Size
- 50 ml
- Family
- Floral Chypre
- For
- Women
Questions
Frequently asked
Which concentration is it, and what size?
It is an Eau de Parfum in a 50 ml bottle. That concentration is fuller and holds longer than a toilette, and the resinous, woody base adds to its staying power.
Is it a sweet rose?
Not really. Blackcurrant and raspberry give a tart edge in the heart, and clove, patchouli and frankincense keep the whole thing dry, dark and slightly smoky rather than sugary.
When should I wear it?
Evenings and cooler months suit it best, as do occasions where you want a scent with weight. In heat the clove and resins can feel heavy, so use a light hand.
Who composed Portrait of a Lady?
Dominique Ropion, in 2010. The brand describes it as his exceptional rose fragrance, set against woody tones and incense in a play of light and shadow.
The house
About Frederic Malle
Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle is a Paris house founded in 2000 by Frédéric Malle, who treats perfumers as authors and prints their names on the bottle. The perfumes, from rose and tuberose to lilac and amber musk, are written with complete creative freedom.
- Founded in Paris, France, in 2000 by Frédéric Malle, launched with nine perfumes
- Perfumers are treated as authors; their names are printed on the bottle
- Complete creative freedom and as much time as they need, as the brand states
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What FragranceGems customers say
NicheGems is new. These are reviews from FragranceGems customers about their orders at FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems. Collected by Judge.me.
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Reviews of FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems
The store’s selection is really good and comprehensive. Placing an order was very easy, and shipping was really fast. The fragrances were well packed and they were all excellent. I’m very satisfied. 👍💯👍
Very good quality profume, it last long and it has a good price for its incredible aroma and mixes of fruit and wood smell
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This perfume is really well blended, I just removed a star because I personnaly don't like the top note (citronella)
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The cap of the bottle came with a small part of it broken off and the glass pieces were in the box
A selection of recent reviews in proportion to their star ratings.
From the house of FragranceGems
The niche department of FragranceGems
NicheGems is part of FragranceGems B.V. in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. Original perfumes from niche houses, handled by the same team that looks after every FragranceGems order.
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- Original perfumes, new and in original packaging
- Packed with care in the Netherlands
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