Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours

Woody Floral Leather or, Vintage Class EdV falls into a 'type' of perfume for me, beyond what it simply smells like. My favorite perfumes are dark, serious, sultry, sexy, vintage, and throw back. I love when perfume makes me feel wise, untouchable, poised, classy,and frankly, a step beyond the world that I live in. So EdV works for me simply because it is the exact kind of perfume that I fall head over heels for...it's dry, serious, grown up, has notes of florals and woods and is completely unsweetened. This is a perfume that is not of our time...it's not aiming for the lowest common denominator, it's not trying to be young or cute or sweet, it's complex and lovey, and it smells better the longer you have it on. So good on Bottega Veneta for actually putting something like this out in today's market. I bought EdV completely unsniffed (which I do all the time) but I also ordered it at full price from Lord&Taylor (which I never do) It's pricey. But not only is it worth every penny and full bottle worthy, it is backup bottle worthy on my shelf, and if the price comes down a bit later in the year I'll be sure to buy another. The scent is perfect and the performance is amazing. EdV has mild/moderate silage, depending on how many sprays you apply, every stage of the perfume is gorgeous, and most importantly to many of us perfume fanatics, it lasts on the skin almost all day, 10+ hours. Okay! So you know how I feel about this perfume. Now for how it smells... Like I said this is primarily a woody, dry, leather perfume accented with florals and sweetened on top with the signature pink pepper that BV puts in almost all of their perfume. The bergamot is very light and fleeting, and initially the pink pepper IS very sweet, but it quickly calms down. The plum note, the only one I was afraid of, is part of the topnotes on my skin, and it is very dark and lush but not sweet at all, and I feel like it is laced with a lot of smoky vetiver, too. The jasmine is right front and center on the top notes, too, and is a bit sweet and lush, but hides under the plum/vetiver/smoke thing. And here is the most wonderful thing: This perfume is positively loaded with iris. Dark, powdery, earthy, leathery, smoky Iris. It is stunning and beautiful and combined with the prominent leather note makes up most of the backbone for EdV. Once the topnotes settle down this really turns into a dynamic buttery Leather and earthy Iris perfume. A few hours later, though, the perfume changes a bit and the rose really starts to come through. I have to learn more about this one because it's a little elusive...sometimes the rose is bright red, sometimes clouded by the woody notes, sometimes it's mixed beautifully with the leather, sometimes the rose shares 50/50 time with the patchouli...it's sometimes heavy and sometimes airy. The rose note becomes very dominant but it has a capricious personality. This is when BdV gets REALLY woody--I mean it's like a classic rose interwoven in oakmoss, vetiver, and patchouli perfume. Like most of the BV line, the leather note is present throughout. If you've smelled their original perfume you know what what I'm talking about. Damn though. This is just so perfect. The leather, the woods, the iris/rose notes...and it's so perfectly dry it just makes me crazy, how perfect this perfume is for me. I've been wearing this almost every other day since I've gotten it--which is UNHEARD of in my rotation. Anyway I hope this long review was helpful...cheers! And thank you 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.

I came across this stunning gem online. I instantly fell in love with its exquisite bottle design and was intrigued by the fragrance notes, particularly the presence of pink pepper and rose, suggesting a spicy perfume. I was eager to try it at a store, but to my disappointment, I discovered that it had already been discontinued. Undeterred, I embarked on an online search and managed to find it. Taking a leap of faith, I made a blind purchase, and to my delight, I absolutely adored it. I live in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the weather is hot and humid, yet this remarkable fragrance lasts for more than 12 hours on my skin. I typically spray it on the back of my neck and wrists, and to my surprise, it becomes even more captivating when I'm sweating. As it dries, I can detect subtle hints of leather, but when I perspire, the notes of roses, jasmine, plum, and pink pepper resurface, creating a beautifully captivating, sexy, and sophisticated scent. Edit: I have more than 30 bottles of parfume and now this is my go to parfume for any ocassion... to work, church, going out with friends, etc... I'm addicted to this scent

Delicious from first spray with top notes of neroli and bergamot. Leather starts getting noticeable quickly. The vintage feel is already there,evident, but it still smells as a modern composition. It becomes a wrist crack fast, you will want to smell your wrist all the time. Some rubber notes, very well integrated to the whole composition The patchouli here is a weird one. It doesn't shine, actually it can't, because the thick suede note is overlapping it, but when at times the nose just catches it, it's dry and bitter. The plum just adds a fruity sweetness, ever so slight, I wouldn't consider the perfume sweet whatsoever. Class, class, class Dark Cherry-Red velvety drape dresses. A man can wear it if he wants to, but in my opinion the plum note makes the perfume lean more on the feminine side. Very smoothly blended, high quality. Of course it's a chypre fruity, but a modern take, no Mitsouko will show up, don't worry. Dry and starchy. A wonderful and daring creation in the sugar perfume era. Well done!!

Soft spicy dewy berry scent. Perfect for autumn and winter. I love it. Long lasting, but projection is not great on my skin. The scent is addictive, I find it the ultimate aphrodisiac. If I could afford, or should I say when I finally can afford it, this will be my ultimate seductive scent. Not that many people know about this scent which makes it even more special. It smells high end and it is high end. The combination of plum and patchoulie with fresh bergamot and rose on a bed of leather and pepper is just exquisite. It was a love at first sniff. A true beauty. The first split second when you sniff you think it is a fruitchoulie but then that leather and pepper spice just ground it and give it something else. It truly is in a league of it's own. Scent- 9/10 Lasting power- 7.5/10 Projection- 6/10 Bottle- 7/10

I'm wearing this masterpiece today.... OMG what can I add that hasn't been said yet? This is niche quality in terms of scent, longevity and projection. Smells very expensive and unique. It's complex, beautiful, and deep. A dark, dry rose. A bit similar to the hyped-up POAL by F. Malle. It's only that I much prefer Eau de Velours since it's more modern and more feminine. Another one with a similar vibe is Lady Vengeance by JHAG. I love this one too - it's a good alternative if you can't find the discontinued Eau de Velours. It's the ultimate boss bitch fragrance. A confidence booster that can turn any lady into a femme fatale. Longevity is amazing. I've applied 4 sprays 8 hours ago, and it still projects very well (does not turn into a skin scent). Thank you, Bottega Veneta, for this impressive fragrance.

This is so so good and I think I like it better than the excellent original. I love how deep and lush this smells and how it has an air of luxury that is indicative of this house. Upon first spray you can detect the plum, jasmine, spice and rose notes, but here they are displayed in a unique and special way. The leather coats everything and makes this come across as warm and supple. This also runs slightly dry, like a good cabernet. Wearing this is like pulling on a soft cashmere sweater. As it dries down there is a soft bite coming from the pepper giving this a surprising slightly brisk and powdery clean element. This is unisex imo and smells so good I can't see how anyone wouldn't want to smell like it. I have a 2.5 oz bottle but will need a backup eventually, this one will always be in my rotation.

I bought a full bottle of the edp, which I had been longing for for years... only to get a sample of this edv later, and now I wish I would have splurged on this Velours version instead. It's hard to find, though... and costs at least one arm, since it's discontinued. Ugh. My heart! Moving on: The edp absolutely pales in comparison to this one. BV Velours has more depth, is far more intoxicating, with much better lasting power than the edp. It's simply moodier, and is what the edp SHOULD have been. The formulation is nearly identical, as far as what notes I can smell. Swirling, soft leather in a field of gentle florals, with a slight fruity sweetness. Sophisticated and opulent in an understated way. Quiet luxury, perhaps? It's just staggering how much better the edv is, though.

This is divine! Dark chypre of dreams, truly! Spicy rose with juicy, dark plum and leather; what a stunner! This stands head and shoulder above those "sexy going out" frags. This is classy and elegant but not dated or off-putting. This was more of what I expected from Guerlain's LPRN Black Perfecto: full-bodied, leather, rose--gorgeous! Those top notes jump out and slap you in the face but that dry down is CLOSE behind. It smooths out and the rose and LEATHER come through, sweetened by the plum. It is decidedly feminine to my nose but I would wager a man could get away with this. This should be THE modern classic; the new Coco Noir IMO. Great lasting power (7+ hours) and moderate projection (arms length). The sillage is rosey and mysterious. 10/10 LOVE

L’Eau de Velours 🌹 Slightly sweetened - slightly spiced roses and suede A little deeper and darker than the Original version, this one offers a sweetened and more rounder juice. The plum is offering the sweetness. The spices are giving it warmth. The rose adding a bit of powderiness. It’s a stunner. 🤩 The leather in this line is not like other leather fragrances I’ve tried. It’s not as sharp and smells more like suede. Very smooth. It smells expensive and luxurious. I’m not getting much from the Jasmine - bergamot or patchouli. The pepper is not sharp and blended masterfully with the other notes. Long lasting and with moderate projection. The color of the bottle suits this fragrance 100%. Such a beauty 💟

Ooohhh...I smelled this in the past and remember dismissing it because I wasn't a fan of the leather. Well lately, I've become more tolerant of leather as a note (started with Babycat, I'm obsessed and I need it)...I came across a sample of this over the weekend and this is a BOSS BITCH perfume. The woman who wears this means business. I wouldn't exactly describe my (self-proclaimed) INFJ self as that girl but there have been moments. Lol. Leather (not a harsh leather, a very supple leather) and dark fruit. Lots of ripe, dark and juicy plum. This is not going to be a FB purchase for me but it is a really voluptuous, bold and beautiful perfume.

I'm trying this for the second time on a rainy autumn day. BVEV opens with zesty, spicy patchouli that quickly gets more serious as the leather, plum, and rose pick up. It actually feels like being wrapped in a wine-coloured velvet blanket: delicate and regal, but with a strong character of its own. Somehow, the dryness of this fragrance manages to be inviting and stand-offish at the same time. Projection-wise, it's strong, but the duration is not spectacular: about 6h on my skin. Most suited for colder weather, but I guess it could be worn on cold spring days or nights too. 9/10

BV Velours is what I think heaven smells like. Divine. Soft, elegant, and comforting. As a man I wear this often and is among my favorites from my vast collection. I get compliments from both men and women, but mostly women. As a "women's" fragrance this is a beautiful compliment to a women's femininity. For a man you just need to know how to appreciate a fragrance masterpiece such as BV Velours and shed your inhibitions of what a "man" should smell like. Perfect to spray before heading to bed. You'll feel like you are in heaven. Simply beautiful!!

If you have, or ever tried Gris Dior, so that is the stronger version of it. Do not know why it is marked as female perfume. To me, the rose here is made out of suede and metal. Very sophisticated, elegant, and special, that is the perfect description of this maser piece. When I hear it first it was a total disgust- it is a man-shaving lotion! But somehow I could not let it go.. So on the second attempt, I thought it is definitely marked wrong, It is cannot be a woman perfume! The third time was a charm.. I get compliments every time I wear it.

Totally underrated leather fragrance that can hold its own against some of the better known fruity leather fragrances like Plum Japonaise. In fact, it smells a LOT like Plum Japonaise crossed with original Bottega Veneta. Long lasting jammy rose on top of a smooth leather and a great price for something that could easily cost twice as much.

Just like the original, this is a beautiful fragrance, the only difference to my nose being that Eau de Velours is slightly less clinical in feel. It's a very warm, lived-in suede with gentle sweetness. Where Bottega Veneta smells like a leather handbag, this one's suede - a little more casual, approachable, and boho.

I hoped not to like it to not have to buy a third flanker to a perfume. But alas. I like it even more than the last ones and I'm really greedy with my sample. Rose, plum, warm leather added. Eating steak with blackberries. Wearing berry-coloured leatherjeans and black cashmere. Hmmm, I want it. Beautifully autumnal.

I just got this today after blind buying and all I can say that this is a very beautiful captivating scent!! I instantly fell in love with it on the first spritz. It's romantic, elegant and sexy all at the same time. It smells expensive, on the high end side. Very nice sillage, too!

I wore this tonight on a first date. 5 minutes after he left me at my front door he texted "sexy perfume." So, if any ladies wanted to know whether this a good sexy perfume, I got the data straight from the horse's mouth. I think definitely FB worthy. Pure elegance in bottle.

Не разбирам отзивите за прилика с Rihanna и agent provocateur, струват ми се безумни. Това са съвсем различни парфюми, с различна класа и вайб.

They really need to bring this back. One of the best of Bottega Veneta perfumes. The new line aint it.

Unfortunately this was discontinued. It was one of my all time favorite perfumes.

Love this perfume! One of my favorites! Velvety smooth peppery rose.

I was surprised to see a tester bottle of BV velours in a local perfume shop and didn't hesitate to ask SA to spray it on my wrist.I like bottega veneta aot and I like it's legere flanker even more.this one opened different with just a hint of BV's earthy,leathery,dry gene and I loved it.I could smell plum which gives it a hint of sultry sweetness(but not as plummy as Rihanna rouge) and rose,pinkpepper and that luxurious leather of BV.I could also smell a hint of something boozy,red one-like.it's such a seductive,classy and refined scent,I couldn't stop sniffing my wrist.but after some time it dries down to original bottega veneta,almost identical! I like original BV as mentioned before but this one is different just in first hour and it's very expensive.if they had a 30mil bottle I may be tempted to buy it but I can't afford 100mil and can't justify owning both(and BV legere and Rihanna rouge) If I want to choose between original BV and this flanker,I'd go for velours as I find it even more interesting with it's plum+rose opening but I don't need both of them right now Legere is still my favorite flanker with it's clean musky gardenia.

Suede, plum, and rose. This is actually what I wanted the original to smell like. Instead, the original was far too sharp for me. Maybe one day I'll learn to love that version since it's not limited edition unlike this one. Eau de Velours is like a smoother, rosier, plummier version of the original, and as far as flanker goes, the only version of Bottegga Veneta I feel I can wear. I get images of libraries and books when I wear this, probably because of the iris and how earthy it is. It's dry, not sweet, but not as bone dry as the original was. Those who love this should snap up some back up bottle soon because the low inventories online for this in various shops is telling me the LE moniker is being enacted.

Opening with bright bergamot and pink peppercorn, this opulent floral-leather-chypre’s spirit lies in its captivating heart of velvety petals of a deep dark Damascene rose and rich plum. The plum has fruited since its blossoming in the original Bottega Veneta EdP, and its restrained sweetness and subtle spiciness add a fine contrast to the intense rose. Eventually an oh so supple leather accord, dry and dusty, weaves itself over and under the fruity rose composition, masterfully abetted by patchouli slowly adding to the volume of the leather accord. Voluptuous, feminine, enticing. Longevity is very good at 10-12 hours during which sillage is moderate-soft. 6.5/10

My friend let me tried this one today from her sample, and I like it very much now. We tested it at noon today, and at this time 9:30pm in the evening, I can still smell it on my wrist after the shower. This perfume is strong and last very long. Right after the spray, I could smell rose and leather, gentle and sweet. This lasted about an hour, then for the next 6-7 hours, I got mostly patchouli, which gives it a fresh and clean vibe, a little cold feeling, so I think it's good in the summer. And now, the patchouli is still there, but lighter. I like it, and it's on my want list until I can afford a full bottle. * EDIT: Got a full bottle, and I like it a lot.

A few years ago I ordered a bottle of Bottega Veneta EDP. I sold it off straight away as i really disliked it. It smelled like a really strong cheap men’s aftershave. I came across the velours version online from a shop in Ireland a few weeks ago and thought I’d give the small bottle a go. Well, I love this one and ordered a second 30ml bottle and a 50ml bottle as I know it’s discontinued so I knew I’d likely never find it again. I also bought a small bottle of the EDP and really like it now also. Isn’t it strange how tastes can change. I think the velours version is my favourite of the two.....for now

All of the previous reviews describe this so well, nothing I say will really add; it’s absolutely lovely, but it wasn’t love at first spray. It definitely suits certain weather/climates more so than others, so you may have to sample and wait, try again, etc. Lots of depth, but a cold sort of bitchy fragrance at first (in a complimentary sense); pink pepper, spices, leather and the plum! Not sweet. Nope. Then it warms up and earthy leathery amber... gaaah! Warmer, creamier, and then a mature, ever so slightly powdery vanilla. So good.

Elegant and refined, but with a softness that makes it feel almost elusive. It has that signature Bottega Veneta suede-like texture, wrapped in a delicate, slightly powdery floral veil. It smells expensive and well-crafted, but the projection is so subtle that it feels more like a personal scent rather than something that fills a room. Beautiful? Absolutely. But I wish it had a little more presence. It’s one of those perfumes that you wear for yourself, a whisper of luxury that requires leaning in close to truly appreciate.

Velours was not a like at first sniff, and while it still isn't my cup of tea, I've come to appreciate it. It opens fresh with a subdued sweet-spiciness then morphs into a mild powdered floral with a hint of spice lingering. As it dries it picks up a smooth velvety texture which eventually dissipates to reveal a light, cool, and fresh floral that oddly reminds me of violet and not plum. Projection and longevity are moderate & I'd see this performing best in cooler temps. Wearable in any setting in my opinion.

Eau de Velours is one of the best women's designer fragrances out there. The leather in this composition is elegant and refined, and stops this from being too feminine and sweet. I mostly get a mix of rose, leather, pink pepper, patchouli and some spice notes on my skin. Performance and sillage are decent. I think if you're a woman like me who prefers their fragrances on the more unisex or less girly/super sweet side, then you'll like this. I think women of any age can wear this.

Omg this was the scent of quiet power. Pure silent luxury bottled. No screaming, no sparkle, just soft-spoken sophistication that glided into the room like a velvet whisper. Plum and rose wrapped in suede... rich, elegant, and ohhh so timeless. It felt like wearing a tailored cashmere coat with vintage gold buttons. Effortlessly refined. I still mourn its discontinuation ... it was regal, it was graceful, it was everything.

Better than the original. Softer, rounder, warmer. It is a rose patchouli with a sting though, so there might be better out there in the oud world, but this is an impressive, slightly powdery, classy scent you don't smell on just anyone. I don't get sexy though. I think it smells like money and power in an understated way. Like quiet strength. Going to have to wear my miniature more often to decide if this is for me.

I can only smell rose and leather in this perfume, and probably some spicy notes. But I can't recognize that it is leather until I saw the ingredients list. It reminds me of a withered smoky rose. It would be a nice fragrance for autumn and winter to create a strong woody rose aroma. It is one of my favourite woody rose scents although there is not woodsy notes listed here but that's what I smell.

i smell suede, plum, a hint of rose and something green and mildly sour-i'm guessing that's patchouli but it doesn't smell of typical patchouli to me. this is bottega veneta with plum and rose, primarily. there is something airy about this, for lack of a better word. this is a nice flanker, but the original is more suited to my skin chemistry.

Eau de Velours remembers the touch of velvet exactly. Merit of rose, plum and leather. Patchouli and spices are felt and envelop the sense of smell in a noble and sugary chain. However, even here, as in Eau sensuelle, jasmine does not bite us anything. Ooops! Hug broken off! I like it? Yes Rating: 6.5 / 10

A great fruity leathery chypre with plum, saffron, spices and cedarwood. Somehow reminiscent of Feminité du Bois by Lutens, Cuir Améthyste by Armani and the original Bottega Veneta. Unfortunately on my skin, the 5 first minutes, it smells like Coca Cola or more precisely like Happy Cola candies by Haribo!

What a Signature fragrance is so unique this fragrance is made for a very confident and stylish modern female. For me this amazing It's spicy modernity Smell I just love this fragrance at The day I lost my mind this fragrance brings my confidence back.

Fancy leather, very sweet but natural plum, patchouli and noticable, soft rose. I love this combination! It's very feminine and engaging but still modern enough. The bottle represents the juice very well. Very nice!

The plum adds sweetness and covers up some of the suede. Probably smells identical to the original BV to anyone getting within your scent bubble though, i.e., having both may be redundant.

very similar to Modern Muse Chic - idk now which house copied which scent but they are like twins. go get yourself Muse - its cheaper and femininer/juicier but same quality

Very pleasant, spicy scent with a bit of citrus. Surely good for winter for all oriental scents' fans.

I recently managed to sample this perfume, I had been eagerly waiting as the notes sounded very interesting and beautiful. I have to agree with "scentinerror" below however, that this perfume is just so dry and dusty that it's very hard for me to wear and enjoy. I feel that it smells "cold" on me somehow. It is elegant and classy, evocative even, but on me it smells more like an uncomfortable dusty vintage velvet sofa rather than the smooth and beautiful velvet dress that I was hoping it would smell like. I always think of velvet as having a silky smoothness to it as you run your hands over it, but this perfume has a rough dryness to it that I really can't get past. I appreciate the uniqueness and artistry to this perfume though, and I think it might smell good on some other person, it just didn't work on me, maybe it's my skin chemistry.

and just when i thought bottega veneta nailed it again and gave a proper twist to this flanker - but no, this smells exactly the same like the initial bottega veneta, just more duller. to me, eau de velours is a real mess - it seems like they wanted to make it with more 'depth', but it is such a confusing concoction that i cannot distinguish notes well. i guess the idea was to make it more 'noir', sultrier, but the outcome is so difficult to detangle and define. the only major difference is that eau de velours has a stronger sillage and longevity and that the drydown is somehow duller than the initial one. what a pity, i love bottega veneta, it is one of my top 10 perfumes, and i had such high hopes for this one but unfortunately, it is not worth it if you already have the initial version.

Süet notası ve gül o kadar baskın kı nefesımı tıkıyor, yorumlara bakıp kör satın aldım ama 10 dk anca dayanabıldım cok keskın metalık bir gul ıle cok yogun suet kokusu var,kalıcılık ve yayılım aşırı fazla:) benzersiz ve pahalı kokuyor, kesınlıkle olgun kadın hatta erkek parfümü bu ama benım gibi tatlı parfüm seven ve gül sevmeyenler bu parfüme katlanamaz.

Ben sadece çok yoğun dumanlı, kalın ve katmansız deri kokusu alıyorum, öyle boğucu ki asla diğer notalar burnuma ulaşamıyor, kalıcılığı ise ölümcül ,kendisyle acilen vedalaşıyorum, kesinlikle kör alışa uygun değil.

This would smell wonderful as a man's aftershave. Although it may become a bit more femine on the Drydown, I think I'll pass it on to my better half

Spiced plum, roses and suede. Magnificent once it dries down (wait 15 mins). A perfect evening scent for the more reserved and mysterious ladies. It’s deeply seductive but also kind of cold at the same time. I just love it. Lamsat Harir is my ‘girl-next-door’ evening scent. JPG Scandal is my hyper feminine ‘girls just wanna have fun’ evening scent. Alien Essence Absolue is my diva ‘clear the way for my grand entrance’ evening scent. And then there’s this one. Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours is my ‘don’t even breathe in my direction’ evening scent, very ‘dark feminine energy’. Lol. I love it. Great longevity and moderate sillage with 4-5 sprays. I could fill the room with it if I wanted to with a few more extra spritzes, but that would defeat the purpose. This scent is discontinued, so when I run out of it, I will replace it with Van Cleef & Arpels’ Moonlight Patchouli, which is definitely its sibling (dark fruity-woody-leather), eventhough it lacks the plum, it is softer, smoother and a touch sweeter...I actually prefer the way Moonlight Patchouli smells, it’s abit more feminine, eventhough the sillage and longevity is lacking compared to BV Eau de Velours. They both have that cold ‘snooty intellectual’ air about them, they make me feel like the mysterious female lead in a film noir. It does not get cloying on warmer nights which I appreciate, since it’s blazing hot where I live for half the year...BUT it does bloom in fall and winter, which is when I tend to crave it most. Update: I tried Tom Ford’s Cuir Amethyst recently, and the drydown of both that scent and this one is EXTREMELY similar, except Cuir Amethyst is abit sweeter and more powdery. Opening is different though.

Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours is a richer, fruitier take on the original Bottega Veneta EDP. This release has coincided with the rise in velvety chypres in the current fragrance market. It reminds me a little of Annick Goutal's latest perfume, Tenue de Soiree. It opens as a fruit-chouli on my skin with a touch of dry, dusty leather. Despite being marketed to women, this could be considered unisex. It's a mysterious, elusive scent for the most part, with very subtle sillage to entice those to come closer. Supposedly this is a limited edition flanker, so those that are fans already should try and buy some backup bottles as well. I sadly won't be adding this fragrance to my collection as I prefer the Summer flanker, Bottega Veneta Eau Legere on my skin. For a beautiful interpretation of plum-rich, fruity leather however, you can't go past Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours. It definitely stands out amongst the generic, bland fruity florals that line the department store shelves. Just like the original, Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours won't appeal to everyone as it lacks the sweetness that many are used to smelling in feminine fragrances. I may be in the minority, but I am excited to see chypres making a bit of a comeback this year.