“Crimson roses steeped in dark patchouli smoke — monumental femininity.”
The take
What works
- ●One of the greatest rose fragrances ever created
- ●Patchouli-incense darkness elevates the rose to something genuinely profound
- ●Extraordinary longevity and projection
Trade-offs
- ●Strongly feminine — limited masculine wearability
- ●Very expensive
More from Frédéric Malle
Notes
Top
Mid
Base
Performance
Fit
Best in fall and winter, at night. Unisex.
When
- Spring, 51%
- Summer, 25%
- Fall, 100%, best
- Winter, 99%, best
- Day, 56%
- Night, 97%, best
Occasions
Gender
Smells like
Similar scent DNA — if you own one, you may not need the other
- Near-exact
F. Malle
Portrait of a Lady 15th Anniversary
- Very close
F. Malle
Portrait of a Lady Limited Edition 2018
- Close
Diptyque
Eau Capitale Eau de Parfum
$145–$200
Guerlain
Rose Amira
Dior
Oud Ispahan Esprit De Parfum
Lalique
Perles De Lalique
Amouage
Epic Woman
Juliette
Lady Vengeance
Clinique
Aromatics Elixir
Tom Ford
Café Rose
Gucci
L'Arte di Gucci
Frag. Du Bois
Patchouli Argent
F. Malle
Iris Poudree Limited Edition 2018
Tom Ford
Oud Fleur
Dior
Midnight Poison Extrait de Parfum
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Portrait of a Lady smell similar to?
Closest matches in our database: Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Limited Edition 2018 (81%), Diptyque Eau Capitale Eau de Parfum (63%), Guerlain Rose Amira (53%). Close siblings — adjacent compositions in the same family.
How long does Portrait of a Lady last?
12+ hours on most skin (all day longevity) with heavy sillage.
When should you wear Portrait of a Lady?
Portrait of a Lady is best in fall and winter, at night. It suits date nights, nights out, and special occasions.
Is Portrait of a Lady worth it?
At $300–$600, yes for this tier. One of the greatest rose fragrances ever created. Patchouli-incense darkness elevates the rose to something genuinely profound.