Velvet Orchid

Tom Ford's Velvet Orchid is much more than a simple "companion" to the legendary Black Orchid; it is a softer, brighter and decidedly more unscrupulous evolution of her feminine charm. If Black Orchid is the dark and almost gothic mystery, Velvet Orchid is the purple silk that caresses the skin. The structure of Velvet Orchid is complex, orchestrated by a "dream team" of noses (Vasnier, Becker and the Maisondieu couple). The result is a dense and layered harmony. The mix of Rum and Honey is immediate. It's not a cloying sweetness, but a warm, liqueur-like sensation that's refreshed just enough by the mandarin and bergamot. Here the fragrance explodes. The Black Orchid (TF's signature) is surrounded by an immense bouquet. The hyacinth and narcissus add an almost "earthy" and green facet, while the heliotrope gives that powdery and almond touch that makes the perfume hypnotic. The closing is masterful. Suede and Myrrh give a velvety texture, while Peru Balsam and vanilla ensure infinite persistence on the skin. It is an extremely luxurious fragrance. Wearing Velvet Orchid gives the feeling of wearing a high fashion dress; it's sophisticated, mature and incredibly sexy in a refined way. Less polarizing than Black Orchid (no strong "earthy/fungal" notes), sweeter and creamier. If you don't like dense, rich and very floral perfumes, it could be excessive. It's not an "office" or "gym" scent. Tom Ford's Velvet Orchid is much more than a simple "companion" to the legendary Black Orchid; it is a softer, brighter and decidedly more unscrupulous evolution of her feminine charm. If Black Orchid is the dark and almost gothic mystery, Velvet Orchid is the purple silk that caresses the skin. Orchid is the embodiment of Tom Ford's ultra-glamorous femininity. It is a perfume that does not apologize, dedicated to those who want to leave an indelible memory. Compared to the darkness of Black Orchid, here we find an amber light that makes it more wearable, but no less magnetic.

I got a travel size 2 years ago and used it very sparingly, don't think I even used it at all last fall/winter. Was just not into the scent. However I've recently pulled it out from the back of my collection during this recent cold snap weather we've had and OMGG it is such a gorgeous, luxurious scent for cold weather!! It smells so deep and rich, the opening is probably polarizing because it's sharp but it dries down so elegantly. I sprayed my scarf 3 entire weeks ago and I still smelled the scent on the scarf when I pulled it out of my drawer today. The dry down is where it starts to smell like Black Orchid but still has that unique velvety almost smokiness. Ugh such a high quality fragrance!! It's definitely an acquired taste so do not blind buy. I'm happy it grew on me!

Listen I don’t normally go for floral scents all that often but let me just tell you this is not like every other floral, it is just incredibly intoxicating. It’s unique and unlike anything else in my collection. They were right to make the bottle purple and to add “velvet” to the name because that’s exactly how it smells—smooth, timeless, chic, elegant, classy, warm. You’d wear this to an expensive dinner where there’s a fireplace and live piano. Every note is so perfect; the top notes of rum, honey, mandarin orange, bergamot, the base notes of vanilla, suede, sandalwood, etc. and the middle notes of a collection of florals. Huge compliment getter. I’ve owned this fragrance for a couple years now and I’ve always questioned why it isn’t more popular or more talked about.

Opens similarly to Black Orchid with the scent of something like black licorice, which I thought came from the patchouli/orchid/spice combo in Black Orchid, but patchouli and spices aren’t listed as notes here, I wonder if it’s the bergamot instead. It softens up a bit right away. Individual notes are hard to pinpoint. In the drydown it becomes quite sweet, and I smell something edible almost cookie like (vanilla and honey?). Because of the powerhouse that Black Orchid is and the almost too strong sillage with two sprays (one on inner elbow and one on my neck) that I experienced with Black Orchid, I decided to just spray this once (inner elbow) tonight. The sillage isn’t really all that strong, I think next time I would spray it on my neck as well.

I’ve been bored with perfumes lately, I’ve really struggled to find my signature scent for the warmer months. HOWEVER, today, when I was wondering what to wear since it got colder, I remembered I had this one and when I sprayed it, I realised that this is the first ever perfume I’m not getting bored of at all. This is the 3rd year in a row that I’m coming back to it religiously every autumn and can’t imagine smelling anything else. The sweet rhum and honey smell hits me right away when I spray it and when it dries down, on my skin, it leaves a floral powdery sandalwood smell that lasts after washes. It probably triggers some memory for me, it smells very cozy and familiar, kind of like my mom and dad combined.