Like a Virgin Unplugged

While the inspiration remains Madonna’s greatest hit, a single spray reveals a completely different interpretation. If the original version, created by Alberto Morillas, opted for delicacy and transparency, this one turns up the volume. And, interestingly, it was in this reinterpretation that I finally truly found Madonna. The fragrance was created by perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin, who employed a streamlined yet highly effective olfactory pyramid: bergamot and freesia in the top notes, Moroccan orange blossom in the heart, and a base of milk and vanilla. These few raw materials were precisely selected to craft a voluptuous, enveloping floral fragrance with a striking personality. The opening retains a hint of freshness thanks to the bergamot and freesia, but it is fleeting. Orange blossom quickly takes center stage, completely transforming the composition's character. This is where the major difference from the original lies: transparency gives way to exuberance; delicacy yields to a commanding presence. It is almost as if Madonna herself were stepping back onto the stage! The "clean skin" sensation that defined the first version is replaced by a femininity that is far more exuberant, confident, and full of attitude. The orange blossom comes across as intense, creamy, and almost fleshy, revealing the full sensuality this ingredient can offer. A subtle, juicy, fruity nuance emerges around it—even though no fruit is officially listed in the olfactory pyramid. The perfumer crafted a floral accord that evokes the creamy, solar facets of a jasmine and ylang-ylang bouquet. It is precisely this fleshy quality that makes the fragrance so enveloping, reinforcing its floriental character without sacrificing elegance. The milk adds a delicate creaminess, while the vanilla embraces the entire composition without turning it into an obvious gourmand. It functions more as an element of texture than of sweetness, rounding out the fragrance and creating an extremely harmonious evolution. The composition also stands out for its performance. In initial tests, the fragrance lasted over 13 hours on my skin and remained for more than 19 hours on the scent strip, demonstrating an extremely solid base. Most interestingly, this evolution occurs without drastic shifts in personality: orange blossom continues to lead the composition right to the end, simply taking on creamier, more enveloping nuances as the vanilla and milk become more prominent. Those who appreciate orange blossom-centered fragrances will likely find plenty here to fall in love with. It has a signature style that could easily appeal to fans of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Classique, for instance. And the coincidence couldn't be more fitting: it was Gaultier who designed the legendary corset Madonna wore on the Blond Ambition Tour – one of the most iconic costumes in pop music history. Perhaps that is why the association feels so natural to me. Here, the fragrance finally conveys the same boldness, femininity, and empowerment I have always seen in the artist. Unlike the original version, which seduces through transparency, Like a Virgin Unplugged Edition wins you over with its presence. It is a more voluptuous, full-bodied floral with a much more evident sensuality. There is personality, there is attitude, and there is an olfactory signature that is hard to overlook. We expect a perfume named Like a Virgin to embody Madonna herself. In the original version, I found a different interpretation. This time, I found Madonna. I found the bold, confident artist who possesses an unmistakable femininity. Like a Virgin Unplugged Edition turns up the volume of the composition, embraces the exuberance of orange blossom, and delivers a fragrance far more in tune with the imagery its name evokes. For me, this is the version that truly does justice to the Queen of Pop's legacy.