Portrait of a Lady Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle 2010 Eau de Parfum

A full-bodied pepper rose. More so than a lady, I imagine a Georgia O’Keefe bloom. Specifically “Oriental Poppies”, 1927. When people claim it a masterpiece, I get what they’re saying. This is the most multidimensional rose I’ve smelled. You’ve got pepper, patchouli, raspberry, cedar, clove, incense, amber. (To name a fraction). All these elements symphonise fluidly, without overpowering the rose’s solo. To have this many scents perform in such a balanced fashion, in such a potent fragrance, is art itself. That said, while this is a masterful perfume, I won’t be investing in a bottle. It’s a big scent for little ‘ol me. Hats off to those who sport this as their signature. I both admire and am somewhat afraid of you.

Mental Snapshot: It’s the eve of the coronation. Your coronation. A dozen maidservants gild you in your finest. A gown of crimson brocade, a plastron of rubies, a cloak of finest sable. You ask them how you look, though they are forbidden from looking you in the eye. “Even finer than your portraits,” The bravest squeaks. “M-my god empress.”

tl;dr: regal and devastating