Tom Ford Velvet Orchid
We are being utterly spoiled with not one, but TWO gorgeous new Tom Ford fragrances this autumn! Both are out on September 1, and are very different!
First up it’s the BIG launch – the first mainline Tom Ford new fragrance for a while – the beautiful Velvet Orchid. I am going to come right out and say that this is not my favourite – it’s maybe just that wee bit sweet for me, BUT, it’s going to be a big hit with anyone that loves a deep, florally, rich, sweet scent -and there are a lot of you around!
It’s an oriental floral that, according to Tom Ford ‘evokes the carnal grandeur and seductive power of the iconic Black Orchid scent into an uber-feminine fragrance lavished with notes of cool citrus, dramatic petals, honey and rum‘.
Moments of my job are truly decadent, and the beauty press were treated to a wonderful dinner, each course matching an accord of this gourmand fragrance.
It does begin with top notes similar to Black Orchid, but very quickly establishes its own identity with a contrasting veil of florals to push the woods and spices away.
Italian bergamot and mandarin orpur are at the top, and then Succan absolute – an ultra-purified rum extraction – gives it this caramelized, rich sugar cane note.
I think this is the one I can smell the most, and is a bit sweet for me. Combined with honey and vanilla, you can see where this scent is going!
The floral heart is a velvet orchid comprising jasmine absolute, rose oil from turkey and the lush, cattleva leopoldii orchid scent trek — a fuchsia orchid from the forests of coastal southern Brazil—intertwined with the signature black orchid accord.
There is also orange blossom and rose absolute morocco in there, as well as delicate heliotropin, magnolia, jonquil and hyacinth! Phew!
The base of the fragrance is intensely rich and warm. Wizened peru balsam, labdanum, sandalwood and myrrh resinoid orpur round out the base and you get this grand, rich, floral, sweet heady scent.
It comes in the most decadent dark purple glass ridged bottle, and the ad campaign features a completely naked Gigi Hadid, who is utterly beautiful and just 19!
Later today, it’s the next new Tom Ford fragrance preview!!
Tom Ford Velvet Orchid, £72, 50ml, £102, 100ml, available from September 1, at Tom Ford Private Blend counters, Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh and Fraser’s Glasgow, in Scotland
