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  1. Database
  2. Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle
  3. Portrait of a Lady (EDP)
Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle

Portrait of a Lady (EDP)

2010

AI Generated

Versions Timeline

2010

Portrait of a Lady EDP (Original Release)

Price Range
$370 – $380

Estimated price range, including all bottle sizes

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Perfumers

Dominique Ropion

"Portrait of a Lady is a landmark rose-patchouli-incense composition created for Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle by Dominique Ropion and released in 2010. Its signature profile centers on a rich Turkish rose wrapped in dark berries, warm spices, earthy patchouli, creamy woods, and incense, giving it a dramatic and opulent character. Although marketed for women, multiple review sources describe it as comfortably wearable by anyone who enjoys bold rose fragrances. The scent is widely regarded as luxurious, gothic, elegant, and highly diffusive rather than airy or transparent. It helped define the modern dark rose genre in niche perfumery and remains one of the house's most iconic creations. Its reputation is strongly tied to both its high material quality and exceptional lasting power."

Ideal Environment

Best Seasons

Fall
Winter
Spring

Ideal Weather

Cold
Mild
Dry
Cloudy

Moods

Elegant
Mysterious
Sensual
Sophisticated
Luxurious
Romantic

Occasions

Formal
Dinner
Date
Cocktail Party
Night Out
Ceremony

Fun Facts

The perfume was created by celebrated perfumer Dominique Ropion, whose name is prominently associated with the fragrance in brand and retailer materials.

Portrait of a Lady is frequently abbreviated by fragrance enthusiasts as 'POAL' and is often cited as one of the defining modern rose perfumes in niche perfumery.

AI Generated

Aromatic Profile

0m/16h
Top Notes
1x
FruitySpicyFloralWoodyResinousEarthyPowderySweetSynthetic

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

0–2h

raspberry
black currant
cinnamon
clove
rose
Middle Notes

2h–7h 12m

turkish rose
patchouli
incense
Base Notes

7h 12m–16h

sandalwood
benzoin
ambroxan
white musk

Performance

Longevity
100%

Eternal (8h+)

Sillage
70%

Strong

Reviews Summary

“Reviews consistently describe Portrait of a Lady as a deep, opulent rose built around patchouli, incense, dark berries, and spice. It is praised for smelling luxurious, dramatic, and highly refined rather than like a mainstream fruity floral. Multiple sources highlight outstanding longevity, often lasting all day and even longer on fabric. Wearers frequently call it elegant, regal, gothic, or mysterious, though some find it mature, intense, or too powerful for casual use. There are also scattered comments online suggesting later bottles may feel less incense-heavy than early ones, but the fragrance remains widely regarded as an icon of modern niche perfumery.”

Discovered by

P@Perfumind

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