Portrait For Men

Wow, one of the few times that the "reminds me of" section is completely accurate. This is a BEAUTIFUL fragrance, and it indeed smells like a wondrous fusion of GPHII, Kenzo Power, and Escada Magnetism. GPHII and Magnetism are two of my favorite scents ever, so it's no small wonder that I adored this fragrance from first sniff. The scent pyramid is really what you get. The fragrance opens with a spicy-fresh burst of pink pepper, cardamom, and a squeeze of bergamot, along with a sort of sharp, rosey element which I can only assume is the geranium-black currant blossom chord. The spicy/floral element persists throughout the life of the fragrance, but as it dries down the powdery, resinous base becomes more and more prominent. The way the tolu interacts with my skin in this fragrances really reminds me of the tolu in Magnetism and Power, while the spiciness puts me into the mind of GPHII or Spicebomb. But there's also the tea-like serenity of GPHII, and a slightly purple vibe which gives me shades of Magnetism. It is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. Elegant, comforting, classy, soft, zen. It gives me an image of a medievalist scholar or classics professor at Oxford, dressed like Johnny Depp's character in "The Ninth Gate", but far kinder than him. The scent of a gentle soul, a lover not a fighter, someone that means warmth and safety and knowledge, someone that has traveled the world and seen things and done things but has no ego about it; instead, he is eternally grateful for the experience. There's not anything brash or garish or loud about it, but it's far from boring. It is a bit more reserved, a bit closer to the skin, but the sort of scent that invites you in if you get close. I wouldn't classify it as sensual, however; it's more like a warm hug, a cozy wool sweater, a cup of warm tea on a cold, rainy fall evening. If you wore it for a night out, it would be a night out in a bookshop, or a library, or a cafe, where you and your no-doubt similarly intellectual date plumb the depths of a forgotten manuscript to solve an age-old academic mystery. Really, it's perfect for rain, gloom, and mist. Projection is on the lower end, but sillage is good, sort of like an inexplicable wisp you leave behind you. I haven't tested it for longevity just yet, but I'd estimate that I get a good 7-8 hours out of it, which is more than enough for me. And the quality is absolutely fantastic. I got it for about $20 from someone who probably didn't realize what they had on their hands, and I couldn't be happier. Really, I love it. It just feels right to me. Could very well be my new signature!

This is Paul Smith's best fragrance by a million miles! So different to much of what is on offer in the designer game. In my humble opinion, Paul Smith has some pretty horrendous (or just boring) fragrances both for men and women but this stands out. I've never heard of Barnabe Fillion before but (a quick google search reveals he's a pretty french man with a beard) he must be a really talented perfumer because Portrait is unique. The resinous incense type combo of the fizzy, brightness of olibanum and mastic and the depth and heft of myrrhe, labandum and tolu balsam is sweet and intriguing but never warm almost cold and a little metallic. The main thing that stunned me was the fruity/floral top notes of what is listed here as black currant blossom but if I'm honest I had no idea what it was? This fragrance is interesting on a few levels drydown is good more of the same but kinda musky. It's quite an enduring perfume too, you can tell it's not massively high quality but Longevity is not bad, it's certainly not weak. The smell is the sort of thing that doesn't project but that's fine. A rare thing then...I'd almost entirely written off Paul Smith but this stuff is great and I want a bottle.

The balance between pink pepper and cardamom is executed perfectly in this fragrance. It's so pleasant, warm, elegant and intimate. If I had to choose a single scent to wear for the rest of my life, throughout every day and any age -- it would be something in the vein of Portrait. Of course, this is not possible because this scent has been discontinued and I only own one more 80 ml bottle. This is not a loud fragrance at all and leaves me wanting more in terms of performance -- but it's the weak scents that smell the best, for some reason. It's like the curse of perfumery. Mauboussin 'Star' has replaced this in my weekly rotation due to the scarcity of 'Portrait' -- but I wish I could wear Portrait in the daytime and Star at night. I'm hoping Portrait will make a comeback soon.

This is nice, very nice, such a soft sent. Wish it had better performance though. Not everyone will like it as it's quite different unlike the recent releases. Opens quite feminine with loads of pink pepper for the first minute or so then quickly becomes cardamom heavy accompanied by pink pepper and some floral for the most part, dry down smells like it has tons of vanilla probably it's tolu balsam and myrrh. I can easily picture an erudite academic wearing this for some reason. For the $33 spent on 80 ml it's definitely a worthy addition to anyone's collection with that unique androgynous looking bottle.

Portrait is more calm and day version of Spicebomb in my opinion. If you love pink pepper note it's definitely worth to buy. And there are also geranium's fizzy and cardamom's smoothness. The opening is similar to Kenzo Power. Good choice for fall and spring with white shirt and black jeans type of wear.

One of the very best of Paul Smith men perfume. No doubt.

One of the very best of Paul Smith men perfume. No doubt.

Straight away, this is the first and only PS I liked enough to have bought. Very pleasant. Better than that: it is in fact excellent. It therefore surprises me there are so few reviews on Fragrantica. Do folk really not know about this one? In broad terms: a linear scent with a dry down that makes me think of a light sweet incense - which I propose could be the balsam/myrrh/labdanum axis? Some background florals come through after about 5 minutes. They don't make this a "floral" because they are dry and delicate and an augmentation. To my minds eye Portrait's floral element is reminiscent of expensive dried flowers or posh drawerliner (like was once purchasable from Liberty). Classed as woody/spicy; which it is, but to me it conjures incense. Something about it makes me think I've encountered it in my travels. In a mosque. Or an ancient church. An apothecary, possibly. Definitely the Middle East. But also elsewhere. I sort of feel I've always known it. Sillage is on the conservative side making it perfect for office wear and romantic encounters. The longevity is fine although seasonal temperatures are a factor. None the less, I can comfortably smell this on my skin 12 hours later albeit a coolish spring day. This is unquestionably a quality product envisaged by a talented imagination. Portrait has a sensuousness and luxuriousness that is superior to scents I've tested at three (or more) times the price. Draws compliments galore. Take a bow M Barnabe Fillion. Taken your time getting there, but...way to go Paul Smith.

This is a good fragrance from Paul Smith. It certainly appears to have some similarities to GPH II, particularly in the background. It seems to have more fruitiness in the opening, along with the tea and spices. A casual,subtle smell that isn't overbearing in any way. Longevity ok. Overall, if you appreciate GPH II, this is worth a test run. No regrets having a bottle.

not bad....however nothing outstanding....worth buying if it costs less than 15-25 euros...there is something cheap smelling about it...anyway...yes..a bit better than other PS...

Paul Smith, who knew? I learned to steer clear of the brand in terms of fragrance but this one is an impressive expression. A sheer amber, dusted with pink pepper and cardamom, there is a winsome effervescence that eventually peels away to reveal a more moderately powdery and heavily resinous underpinning. Tolu and myrrh make up most of this resinous accord, with some olibanum and labdanum, somewhat cola-like, somewhat reminiscent of a less floral Kenzo Power, but even cooler feeling and more musky. Portrait is a lean-in scent, not announcing itself unless there is intimate conversation, a hug, or perhaps a romp. However, the sillage may be discerned by a keen nose and that nose may respond favorably to its sweet, yet in no way cloying presence. Several hours in, musky cedar hums in a comforting scent bubble. This is such a pleasure to wear.

First time wear today. My impression was cedar and pepper drying to a fruity sweet base. Lasts very well,inoffensive but not common. On my dryish skin the projection was nil. Nice bottle and spray love the smell but wish it had a little more power and oomph. Glad I only purchased a 40ml bottle and will try and use it before weather is too warm. My personal opinion is that it could have done with an ingredient to sweeten or make it a bit deeper and more lasting. My favourite of P.S fragrances is Optimistic and I always get compliments when wearing it even though it wasn't a commercial success.

This is really quite lovely. Definitely several steps up from the generic drek that's being released by most houses these days. It reminds me strongly of the gorgeous Gucci Pour Homme II, so people worried about the discontinuation of that one would do well to check this out. It has a similarly beautiful light green tea note, as well as warm pepper and soft spice notes. Not a loud fragrance, but has very good longevity and I could smell it on myself for hours. The best Paul Smith fragrance since London. Thumbs up from me!

I've got it on skin now and it is fantastic! It smells rather niche-y to my nose; wonderfully spicy thanks to the pepper and cardamom, and superbly composed and complex. This, to me, represents a refreshing departure from the current trends of male fragrance production in a time where everything seems to smell exactly the same. This reminds me of something else, something more expensive, which I will report back with if I can remember for the life of me what it is. An instant classic in my eyes - it deserves to do well.

I have to say this is very different from the other releases out at the moment. I find a lot of latest fragrances smell similar but not this. It smells expensive to start with, and it has a niche kind of vibe to it. Spicy to start with muskiness to it. It has a gentle floral darting around with the woods. I have had quite a few compliments since wearing this. I am pleasantly surprised by this fragrance. It has very good longevity and lingers around long after you think it has gone. Nice release.

Absolutely wonderful fragrance. Fairly unique in its impact, in my opinion. Very old timey, but stunning. It smells very classy and has far more personality than most others that I own, or have experienced. I am a fan of Paul Smith fragrances and this is very much at the apex of of all those that I admire from his house. Average projection - fair longevity.

best ps so far...feels like they cared about this,from the niche smell,to the fantastic flacon,this is a step up from the norm from paul smith!!! it does smell like a more floral version of gucci pour homme!!! first impressions here as i got it today and havent had a chance to give a proper opinion!!

Absolute stunner. Complete elegance. Like a warm sweater that envelopes you. Perfect for a cozy Fall/Winter day in doors. Very much in the vibe of Kenzo Power for Men or Gucci Pour Homme 2.

Im sorry but this ad should be banned , it looks like child pornography! What is wrong with people?!