Bottega Veneta

Comparing BV EdP and BV Eau de Velours (EdV). They both start similarly - big blast of pencil shavings after the initial spray which turns into a woody spicy scent after they dry on the skin. The big difference is the accord of bergamot and pink pepper which give EdV more body and dimension. This is not a light and airy bergamot. It is deep, rich and heavy. EdV's opening therefore is more "perfumey" and mature. I don't think most women younger than 40 wouldn't want to wear it whereas the orig can be rocked by women as young as 25. After about 10 mins, the EdP has turned into the scent of makeup with a slight touch of powder. In EdV it's hard to tell if the same transformation is taking place because the citrus and pepper dominate everything. 5 mins later and the bergamot has disappeared revealing that, yes, the same transformation took place. Both frags are now neck and neck but EdV's makeup accord is deeper. For most of the first hour the EdP and EdV are dominated by the powdery makeup accord. There doesn't appear to be much leather in either if at all. 1 hr in the makeup accord have wound down. Projection and sillage seem stronger in EdV. 5 mins later the makeup accord is completely gone in both. Now it is replaced by leather. This isn't leather shoe leather like in Tuscan Leather, Ombre Leather, Uomo Signature or Encre Noire. This isn't car leather either like in Memo's Italian Leather or Bentley's For Men Absolute and Infinite Intense. It's not leather bound books like Byredo's Bibliotheque either. I'm not sure I would classify this as women's leather bag leather because it smells nothing like the leather handbags of women I know. It's fragrant but reserved. In texture it feels velvety like suede or Nubuck. The scent is hard to describe because I have no personal point of reference so it doesn't smell like I am looking at a specific object but a large bolt of animal skin. There's a faint hint of pencil shavings in both. In EdV it's additionally scented by plum and spices. The note breakdown in both promise jasmine and/or roses but I'm getting neither white nor pink florals. At least not yet. The leather notes lasted for about an hour before fading. By 2hr 30 mins I can detect nothing from the arm I sprayed with the EdP and very faint traces of the plum in the one I sprayed with EdV. Waiting to see if anything else develops or that was it. So far no jasmine, oakmoss or patchouli in the EdP and no rose, jasmine or patchouli in the EdV. If they were ever there they were likely but players or dominated by the stars of each respective show. Again, I'd say EdP skews younger because of the straightforward notes. The addition of spiced fruits, while beautifully blended skew EdV toward an older, more mature and more sophisticated frag connoisseur. Comparable frags 1 Cuir Amethyste, Kelly Caleche and Tenue de Soirée. 3hrs in I'm still getting a faint whiff of both although they need to be warmed up. 4 hrs 30 mins. Apparently I went anosmic 2hr ago but I can smell both again. They're still there and there's been no development. Scent is pretty linear since the drydown. 7 hrs in. Both are finally well and truly gone.

**My heartfelt thanks to ElenaLondon, for the generous samples she sent to me (and my mother) of this simply stunning scent!** My feelings toward Bottega Veneta (not so much her, but her exorbitant prices) aside, this perfume is something that really (and I mean really) impressed me. The extract is rather expensive, but happily the Eau de Parfum is more reasonably priced and combines rather simple notes, of obviously high quality materials, to create something luxurious and utterly elegant. On the initial spray, I could not help but sigh deeply on the exhale, as it already had me under its spell. The opening is spicy and clear, with a piquant pink pepper and a brilliant, but not all that bitter, bergamot. Underlying these notes, there lurks a thick and beautiful floral aroma that continues to expand, growing creamier and fuller as it dries. Jasmine is the only floral note listed; however, I can detect a hint of soft rose and, perhaps, a hint of some peonies as well. Sambac jasmine is the strongest scented jasmine there is, and here it swirls around the wearer like a magical mist creating an aura of velvety sweetness and an almost teasing sexuality. As it settles a bit, the flowers become somewhat drier and warmer; like a hot wind has scorched and dried the blossoms, but left their heavenly aromas untouched. The final drydown, in typical chypre fashion, combines a wonderfully soft mossiness with a thick exotic patchouli. Earthy, but definitely NOT "dirty", Bottega Veneta goes from a bright and sassy girl to a feminine vision before she emerges as a confident, warm and down-to-earth lady. This scent is, despite all my preconceptions and biases, truly gorgeous. And, other than the rather thick jasmine/floral heartnotes, I see no reason why a man could not wear this scent. Though it is not exactly "oriental", it does become (and remain) something warm, sexy and rather mysterious. Sillage: good Longevity: very good Overall: 4.25/5 On seeing this House had released a scent, my first knee-jerk reaction was: "OH NO, say it isn't so!"...now, as it is gracing my skin, surrounding me and my nose keeps returning to my wrist...I can only say: "Yes, OH YES!!". I still think their clothing (and accessories) are extremely overpriced, for what they are; but I can tell you one thing: Bottega now has my respect, as far as the perfumes go. If the EDP is this nice, I can only os-magine what the Extract is like... *drools*

I wrote a review on it a while ago and I stand by all of what I said. I want to update you on my journey with it since then. I like to be alone with it, relax and have time to experience it since what stays close to the skin is different than the sillage. One spray with the fine spraying small nuzzle is enough, I like it on my wrist to explore. It's calming. It's almost invisible and promisingly there as a ghost you want around. Fun fact I felt sophisticated one day and sprayed two or three times on my neck before going out. I only wear it if I feel good about myself, and want a slight statement kick to underline my look. Don't mistake it for a powerlook, sophistication isn't just a powersuit and Hermés but a state of being open to explore, open minded, friendly, playful and relaxed. So that day I was in the car (funnily I see some compare the leather in it to new leather seats in a car..) with my mother. She was wearing a new scarf, took it off and asked me if it smelled (?) mysky? I said no, and realised she had smelled my perfume. That was the day I discovered its resemblence with an old linen closet. The wooden musty smell you get when it's been in a cottage surrounded by nature, not opened for years. You have to have experienced it to understand. It's in the heat of summer and I was surprised how warm and sweet it was. I sprayed two times around my neck and left for the summerhouse. Bottle waiting for me at home. It's how lovers are supposed to be. Away from each other on family holidays. I have half a bottle left, unfortunately that means I can't wear it as much as I would have liked. (Discontinued). It's for special occations. When nothing else that I have in my limited collection will do. I prioritice exploring new territory and this has opened new doors.

This perfume has a 4.16 rating out of nearly 6,000 votes. There is a reason for that. It’s phenomenal. Once upon a time it was incredibly unique but it’s been copied so many times that it may seem like you’ve smelled it elsewhere. You have, it’s not your imagination...but it was the one that started this particular scent profile. It’s a modern chypre, with emphasis on modern. This isn’t a classic chypre by any means but it’s mossy enough where it does have that feel to it. If this perfume was a color it would be grey/violet with muted green undertones. It’s earthy and mossy but there is this sweet ghost like violet colored atmosphere that surrounds it, along with a sueded leather. It feels luxurious and classy yet badass all at the same time. It’s one of those perfumes that ghosts in and out...even when you think it’s gone other people can smell it. I do go anosmic to it pretty easily so I’m always asking other people if they can smell it. They always can, even 12 hours later. I wore this perfume when it came out and fell hard for it, then discovered other things and sort of forgot about it. I recently rediscovered it and I must say, it may be my favorite perfume of them all. It’s hard to say what it is about it that makes me love it so much. I’m not even sure myself. All I know is that it’s heaven in a bottle to me and I can’t stop wearing it even though I have hundreds of other options.

Great, great fragrance. Let alone the gorgeous bottle and the super sophisitcated ad. The first Bottega Veneta fragrance starts off very citrusy (bergamot) and stays fresh and uplifting for the most of the time. It's really a clean, out of the shower feeeling. Then a soft floral Jasmine heart reveals - still mixed with those fresh, citrusy notes. The drydown is soft, a creamy suède - no you won't smell the leather purses are made of - but something much more airy and sophisticated. And no, I do not get any patchouli (even if it is listed!). Hours later, you can smell a more stable base made of oakmoss and some woods, I'd say a creamy cedarwood (not listed); still, the bergamot lingers! Absolutely elegant, classic and refined. This is a fragrance that does not scream, that stays subdued but is there, and you have to lean over to inhale. The perfect fall/winter fragrance for business meetings, non intrusive but assertive at the same time. Will tell a lot about your coolness, professionalism and trustworthiness. I adore it, to the point I have bought it 3 times. PS: based on the rewiews I bought Rogue as a cheaper dupe for the expensive Bottega Veneta. They're very similar in the drydown only, but the first 15 minutes of Rogue are loud, screchy fruity plum almost gagging. If you can get past the very ordinary mainstream opening, yes, you could call it a dupe.