Description
The fashion design house of luxury leather accessories Bottega Veneta launches its first fragrance in collaboration with Coty Prestige in 2011. Bottega Veneta fragrance is described as a leathery, floral chypre, representing the scented signature of the house—the “invisible, private luxury.”
Tomas Maier, the creative director, describes the inspiration for this creation: “An old house in the beautiful countryside in the Veneto region of Italy with rolling green hills, where we’re from. I envisioned a room with old wood floors, library walls and leather-bound books with the windows open wide, the breeze coming in and cut grass, hay, moss, garden flowers, growing through the room and everything mixing up. That’s where we started.”—wwd
The nose of the composition is Michel Almairac from Robertet who blended notes of Italian bergamot, Brazilian pink pepper, Indian Sambac jasmine, oak moss, patchouli and Indian patchouli, with a distinct leather accord in the trail.
The face of the campaign is Nine d’Urso, the daughter of French fashion icon Inès de la Fressange and Italian art dealer Luigi d’Urso. The campaign was shot Bruce Weber in South Florida.
The perfume bottle is made of Murano glass (limited edition), decorated with a metal cap and a leather bow. The perfume extract, which comes in the Murano bottle, is available in limited numbers at Bottega Veneta boutiques around the world at the price of $395. The fragrance is available as 50 and 70 ml EDP with body cream, body lotion and shower gel for more broadly distribution.
igu898Negeltzex – :
This has a very peppery opening. The pink pepper and patchouli give an impression of an unlisted black pepper note. Simultaneously, the sweet fruitiness of the pink pepper is coming on like gangbusters. Maybe it’s the bergamot, but I am also sensing a heady, herbal Earl Grey tea effect.
The leather is very prominent in the opening as well. I keep getting puffs of a slightly indolic, bitter, animalic, “horsey” smell. Lest this gives the wrong impression, I do mean a clean and well cared-for domesticated animal; this does not smell like a petting zoo!
Still in its early stages, Bottega Veneta resembles the effect of a fading Angel Muse, when all the high-calorie notes have evaporated and you’re left with a luxe-yet-gritty patchouli and vetiver (again, not listed) cocktail.
In the first hour, BV is now alternating between fruity, creamy, and bitter to see who is going to come out ahead.
Later… Okay, I think I have placed this one. It smells like Chance by Chanel EDP plus lots of leather.
I’m not the first to say it; I won’t be the last — This is a virtual-reality suede bag in a bottle. Very cool!
rsn049JeomiWogkig – :
I do not like this one. It is citrusy and powdery. i also get leather, but it is not the kind of leather i like. It smells a bit masculine and dated. i will gift it to someone who may enjoy it more than i do.
P.S: Projects very well. Can’t talk about longevity yet.
lobova1985 – :
OMG, this is goooood!!! I bought myself a 100ml refill EDP bottle because it was a far better deal than a 1.7 or 2.5 oz, and I figured I just want the juice so I’ll use my own atomizers.
Leather woods. Soooooo good. The patchouli isn’t too strong/noticeable, so I’m happy there.
This is so rich (thick, not referring to the $$), cozy, and classy! I absolutely love it! I wish I got more green-oakmoss, but I’m overjoyed with this in it’s skin-state (applied to wrist with a dab). A luxury leather handbag and woody-shavings. It is absolutely as the designer wished (his description above). A new favorite of mine for sure! I’m a former gourmand fan, but now I adore the classics and vintages. And since I’m obsessed with leather notes, this was a long overdue blind buy.
Wonderful lasting power on fabric. Lasts thru the wash!!
Lexones – :
The middle and base notes are identical to Annick Goutal Tenue de Soiree.
seka_001 – :
The middle and base notes are identical to Annick Goutal Tenue de Soiree.
rulsindersh3 – :
i most certainly agree with the vivid description that bubbles 1964 made. it is a sensual perfume that can be aimed for intimate moments. the leather is dominant in a good and a feminine way, which makes me think ‘nude’ would have been a better name for this scent. longevity is good sillage is less. stays close to skin while in the first 2-3 hours you sometimes get some whiffs of it , from time to time
kyshhtaras – :
Italian elegance! Just sooo refined and beautiful ❤️
kafyapyafkova – :
Wearing a sample from a splash vile. Bottega Veneta might be the most authentic suede smell I’ve come across, like you just “stuck your head inside a handbag” scent. The handbag is of good quality, and the woman who owns it has expensive taste in cosmetics and little luxuries. That’s what this smells like.
Thank goodness their is nothing gourmand or floral or fruity about it. I only pick up a little bit of wood and a dry flower scent, possibly violets. BV would make a good year round scent, perfect for day or evening. I’m wearing this on a warm summer day and I’m not gassing anyone out.
On me this is quite linear and it wears close, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like it. I think this would be a good choice for the office, as it’s likely to not offend anyone. Completely unisex.
Walther – :
Comment only based on final notes after 5 hours.
-Smells posh then confuse e.g. old book+rose
gmm1973 – :
There is an exceedingly cheap perfume made by Clarus called simply Musk, that is available from chemist-shops for £1 per 28ml bottle. It’s actually surprisingly pleasant; and I wonder whether it’s basically just a solution of musk-ketone (the only nitromusk approved by the IFRA). It’s very handy to keep in one’s handbag as … maybe a bit of antiseptic, or as a defence against a savage dog, or some other occasion of squandering a bit of perfume. The point here is that this Bottega Venetta has a note that, at least to my perception, very strongly resembles this Clarus Musk. I am not saying here, I hasten to add, that this Bottega Venetta is only comparable to an ultra-cheapy – it most certainly isn’t – it’s a fine perfume indeed that I wore recently and got a sincere (and ordinary) compliment for. But it does have this certain musk note in common. I don’t know whether it is musk-ketone: but here I have an ultra-cheapy that actually smells quite decent; and nitromusk is relatively easy to make, being a by-product of explosives, so I infer that it might be. I do perceive the same note also in Armani’s Iris Celadon.
However it’s made, though, this is a right good perfume – one that gave me great satisfaction on the recent outing I gave it. Amberiness enters-in unexpectedly from time-to-time in greater force than the initial aroma would lead one to expect, as amberiness tends to. To me this is a very abstract fragrance – one that just is what it is, and doesn’t particularly reference anything external to itself. Some say “plum”, but I don’t get that. The lady who gave me the compliment gave me a sideways “oh yeah you would!” look when I said “no I would say this is medium on the stonkingness-scale” rather than the heavy that she thought it was.
колебас – :
Soft suede. Patchouli. Violets. Plum opening. This is a soft and subtle scent. Smells mainly of violet suede.
This stays close to your skin, and I get maybe four hours out of it.
-=Chupik=- – :
I am really in love with this fragrance. If someone does not want it anymore please pm me. Maybe we could swap. Thanks
kgj298intitytek – :
From the notes, I thought I might like this. There’s a little menthol at the start, but it settles down. I get a slight metallic note. It’s not terrible.
pshenichny.serezha – :
I’ve tested this today on skin.
The opening is really not something I think a lot of people could be friends with. There’s something that I can’t describe there; dark and somewhat foul smelling, for lack of better words: warm poop.
This doesn’t last long fortunately. It dries down quickly to a lovely, understated peppery leather smell. Really what a Luxury (with a capital L) handbag or sofa would smell like.
That’s nice, but not how I would want my body to smell. But if that’s what you’re after, go for it.
Ippon – :
I love Rihanna Rogue and heard these were similar. Now that I am trying it for myself I can say yeah this is very close. Not as sweet as Rogue and the plum makes that one a little jammy. Bottega Veneta is elegant and classy, there is something about this type of leather scent that smells so luxurious. That smooth leather and bitter bit of oakmoss also remind me a bit of La Panthere. The silage is so so. I actually think Rogue has more power. They really are so close it’s not owning both and I think I slightly prefer Rogue to this one.
JonnV – :
It’s so weird but I simply cannot detect the pepper or the citrus.
To me it opens with a creamy sweetness that’s almost medicinal with a touch or root beer. I was kind of worried about this because I do not like root beer. But the scent quickly changes. This is a scent that has many forms. I prefer it after about a half hour of mellowing. That’s when the oakmoss and leather really shine through, creating a velvety/creamy feel. It’s like eating freshly whipped cream with specs of vanilla, sitting on a leather couch. But it’s not truly vanilla. Probably the okamoss but here it becomes almost amber like. I LOVE oakmoss and amber in general.
This is a sexy and sophisticated scent, which should be explored close to the skin, not noticed as walking into a room. For a self assured yet understated woman, or man.
This scent makes me want to date myself. Hahaha
alex29999 – :
Class in a bottle. in one word – a masterpiece.
dknpyzvh – :
Bottega Veneta
Esiste la magia? Non so, credo però che i profumi siano magici e questo è magia allo stato puro.
Questa fragranza porta esattamente ad una casa abbandonata, piena di polvere e con libri invecchiati, e nel momento in cui apri la finestra per far entrare un pò d’aria questi odori si mischiano creando questa essenza meravigliosa.
Per me, Bottega Veneta Eau de Parfum ha tutto quello di cui ho bisogno, quando non mi sento alla quale, quando sono felice, quando ho bisogno di forza.
Un capolavoro, la mia essenza.
marla67 – :
Laura Marling ‘Rambling Man’
aleks1792 – :
I love this one..so elegant and posh!
jk – :
On first spray citrus smell of lime! and the first minutes of spray is a lot more intense than the dry down, when i was expecting the dry down to produce something more strong on the skin, most certainly a perfume that smells better on clothing, too me on my skin does not seem to project or smell strong but on clothing holds well.
Nice perfume, however I wont be buying another bottle, the reviews are good but most certainly either a love or hate perfume, i would not suggest you blind buy x
KIBORG4444 – :
karineabdel, you’re not alone. I wear this scent and love it yet I do recognise the Vick smell! There is a remedy smell off it. Yet it’s still beautiful!
happines – :
Pure sex! I love it! Thank you Bottega Veneta!
priora-666 – :
This is one of my all-time favorite winter perfumes. Even though it’s not listed, I get a deep, luxurious rose along with the very smooth leather accord. This is, quite simply, elegance. It is so very long-lasting on me; there is not a moment throughout the day or evening that I’m not totally aware of and enthralled at being surrounded by this captivating fragrance. I get more compliments on this than almost any other perfume I wear. from both male and female.
KRASH – :
Hi everyone, I recently got a few samples on eBay. I love this perfume but when I spray this perfume it disappears on my skin, Has anyone else experienced this or am I doing anything wrong? As I am a newbie to the world of fragrance I really appreciate any advise
Vectra – :
This perfume, is a classic and a must have for serious perfumitas which I am, but it’s taken me nearly two years to get around to sampling it.
Well, this one was worth the wait and it did not disappoint.
I get a ‘cherry leather’ first up (perhaps that of a well worn Chesterfield couch) and the leather stays prominent thru out the stages of heart and dry down.
Can’t comment on longevity yet but I’m very impressed by this intricate beauty.
I too agree, it’s a real masterpiece!
Seriy180368 – :
I have had hundreds perfumes so far but none of them was as good as Bottega. It’s a real masterpiece.
Nomberjaite – :
You see I just don’t get the leather…..not in the least, not even a teeny weeny whiff of leather. This is my second bottle. I’m a fan. This has got me thinking in the same way Boudoir did. My duel sniff experiment tells me that these two are good bed fellows. I keep getting Jackie O or Audrey H as Holly Golightly. Navy lace cocktail dresses, up-dos and sunglasses….
matanastasia – :
What a beauty. This perfume smells like a fancy designer bag! I like the feminine jasmin. There’s sparkly bergamot and pepper in the opening. The patchouli and oak moss notes turn it more herbal. It’s classy.
vatruha – :
Fun. The reason I say that is because this throws several impressions, one after the other. It’s quite a ride. It settles down into something powdery but reminiscent of Taylor Swift Taylor or Burberry Women. This is a winner.
bambubay – :
THis perfume whisper class,elegance and introversion.
Suitable in that romantic afternoon when you drink a cup of tea and read a book,in state of mind of zen calm,quiet passions,love for your little/wide refugee.
I think that is the leather daim effect,not fetish,but warm and sexy.
The other notes are simply servant. Very nice,refined,and I don’t mind the flankers after.
lacrimosa – :
It’s a chilly, rainy Sunday afternoon. Rain pitters and patters outside the window of my (near) penthouse high rise apartment. I’ve done all the hard work of the past week and am relaxing in my warm master bedroom decorated tastefully to be comfortably inviting. I’m lounging around in soft and cozy pajamas. A spritz here and there of BV edp warms me and the scent of leather and sandlewood lingers…I take another sip of hot, rich coffee and smile knowingly to myself: Yes, I deserve this.
Prizrak_ua – :
I have a decant of this that I have tried a few times. Very strong leather, like that of an expensive bag or jacket for quite a few hours softening to a nice sandalwood-like scent. And it seems to last forever. What’s not to love? And I do want to love it! Well, My problem is I get a synthetic, plasticky scent that keeps poking its way out that I find extremely annoying. Also, even though I like the smell of good, expensive leather, I am not sure whether I like it on ME!
I plan to give this a try again when the weather cools down a bit to see if that tempers things. If not, sadly, this will be a pass.
tulay – :
Scentinerror, I’m sure BV did indeed say that. Many reformulations were done in 2012; BV EDP was released in 2011. I just purchased a 2011 bottle. It is quite different from later iterations and also deeper, less sparkling, than BVEL. Few houses will outrightly admit to reformulating. And I believe that BV was embarrassed &/or frustrated at having to reformulate only one year after it’s original release, but BV EDP is mostly oakmoss, and 2012 is the year IFRA did away with most of the perfume industry’s oakmoss.
assivence – :
Just tried a sample I got last week. Wearing it reminds me of walking into a used bookstore. Leather and paper. I love used bookstores! So this makes me very happy.
mihail00070 – :
BV have said to me that there had never been any reformulation of this scent. I’m beginning to think that the Legere has found its way onto counters as testers hence the perception of a change of scent. I’ve now smelled several of the original BV and they all smell the same. BV say it is too new a scent to have been reformulated and they wouldn’t toy with such a successful fragrance.
maxxxmyt – :
Scentinerror, I first sampled BV EDP a couple years ago; it was very patchouli heavy and leathery―almost a sour leather. . I bought (then sold) a full bottle and it smelled like a much quieter, more floral, and better blended, version of Rihanna’s Rogue. I love Rogue, so I found BV to be redundant, though certainly not a bad perfume.
Early reviews of BV refer to it as “poopy” and say Bottega Veneta Eau Legere is much more wearable. This would be true, judging by my sample, but not by my bottle.
I recently repurchased it on accident, as the listing said it was Bottega Veneta Eau Legere. It hasn’t arrived yet, but here’s hoping it’s the heavier BV I first sampled.
Tl;Dr I know they reformulated it at some point. I’m sure it’s not your imagination.
murat0770 – :
I wonder if anyone else thinks this has changed? According to stockists there’s been no reformulation. But one purchased recently smells nicer than one on display and also leaves oils on the hand which the display one doesn’t. Makes me wonder…
vladOFF – :
Having worn green fragrances all my life I felt in need of a change. But to what? I’ve spent four months searching for a new fragrance, have tried 35 tester samples and probably around another 50 sprays from tester bottles in shops. I was looking for my olfactory Cinderella but to no avail. Till now. The search is over . Bottega Venetta, I have found you. Here’s why I love you…
Powdery, but not swest
Warm but not oriental
Soft yet long lasting
Creamy, not cloying
Fresh yet not citrusy
Quiet, but noticeable
I wanted a smell that smelled good enough to drink. You know what I mean. This fitted that description. It’s just beautiful and is the first fragrance I’ve ever worn that I can smell on myself for hours and which, just when you think it’s all over, suddenly wafts off your skin again, smelling as though it’s been recently applied.
I’m not a fan of chypres and wouldn’t have placed this as such. And yet, it’s not a floral not an Hesperide, not overwhelmingly woody, it’s just a lovely warm unctuous concoction. So glad I found this classy, understated and indefinable beauty.
alkazar – :
Beware of recent batches, it has been reformulated into a chemical mess. A pity, used to be beautiful… I am wearing an older edition on one hand and the new one on the other. They do have things in common, but what BV had that made it a high-class perfume (I think I can smell some naturals) is now gone.
митинец – :
Sophisticated and smooth, with that beautiful leather note – definitely Italian. A creamy patchouli, jasmine drydown. Like reading a leather-bound book in a garden. A modern take on an old world scent. Love.
Edit: This would also smell gorgeous on a man.
Folkerlut – :
Some time ago I tested Rihanna Rogue and didn’t like it too much. I saw the comparisons to Bottega Veneta but thought that they couldn’t be true – such an expensive, highly rated perfume will surely smell different from that cheap celeb fragrance I didn’t enjoy because I found it too artificial smelling.
Well, BV is more refined and less plasticy, but not as much as I would have wished.
I get a lot of plum here, it’s the most dominant note to me. There is also a noticeable amount of leather and patchouli (which I couldn’t find in Rogue), but to my nose this fragrance is mainly warm-fruity and very sweet.
The leather here is musky, not powdery or too masculine.
After a few hours the plum finally settles down a bit. Now BV becomes a true leather scent with a spicy note and starts to smell more appropriate for its price tag. This scent has to really dry down for the fruityness to blend witch the leather to something good.
On my skin, this perfume is way fruitier than I would have expected from the reviews and notes (plum is not listed here, it’s on the official Bottega Veneta site though).
I don’t get any oakmoss.
This is a very long lasting and projecting scent.
I like the drydown, but I dislike the start, and with start I mean something that lasts for 5 hours or so.
Maybe I’m just not the right person with the right skin for this.
sanseich – :
Green/aromatic…yes!
First spray….I get citrus/zing…then that disapates…and the more earthy qualities come to the top. Light leather…woody-ish.Borderline chypre type scent. I have to give this one a thumbs UP !!
EDIT: Changed my idea of this one….
For the $$$$….I think I would rather invest in a scent with more leather/green/chypre in it. I find this light/low projection /sillage on my skin.
Balmain Jolie Madam….I need to re-purchase asap for this type of scent.
dezama – :
It turns you into a gigantic mothball, but if you put your nose close to it, you can feel the freshly spun cotton candy.
Yurik86 – :
Once upon a time I fell in love with a scent called Envy then it went away but I
still longed for it’s “clean” and” smokey” personality (a rare combination indeed).
I just came across this little gem and it’s turned my world upside down. I like it , dare I say, even more than Envy. The lime, leather and woods were perfected and the oak moss and pink pepper keep the patchouli in check so the fragrance stays highbrow instead of hippie. The lasting power is a good 8 hours. So good !
horbachov – :
I tested bottega veneta quite a few times before I purchased this gorgeous little number. I was afraid that the leather would be too intense for me I am also not a fan of oak moss or patchouli for that matter but in here I love them.
The initial spray can be very deceptive, this fragrance in the very beginning, to me, is very green aromatic unisex almost after-shave like feeling. Pink pepper gives it a spicy opening then the patchouli joins the show but it’s very earthy, kind of dusty even then a very soft leather/suede undertone comes through and remains in the background for the entire duration of the fragrance. Once things settle down the floral notes and the leather/suede notes create this beautiful dance while the patchouli is now in the background only to give a little bit of earthy depth to it all.
Bottega veneta is not your usual sweet gourmands or your fruity-florals it is a little unusual. IMHO you need to have a more developed and mature taste to appreciate this beauty. It is luxury but understated luxury.
You will not get big sillage but longevity on my skin is rather good(6-8)hours.
The dry down to me on my skin is slightly sweet and powdery but clean. In fact it is like my skin but better. It’s like wearing perfume without the smell of perfume if that makes sense.
If like me you don’t like sweet,fruity loud fragrances and prefer something more sophisticated and elegant with a twist then give Bottega veneta a try.
corby – :
Stylishly safe. Bottega Veneta is one I have been wanting to sample for some time to see what the buzz was all about.
Clean, beautiful, sweet soft leather and delicate jasmine dominate. Light, smooth and with elegant character, I can see why this fragrance is so popular.
The leather here is not rough or fuzzy suede, nor is it an iris or heliotrope iteration leaning towards vinyl. It isn’t smoky like birch tar or shrill like styrax. Just supple and smooth, but not heavy or rich. Gentle, like pink ballet slippers.
This is a beautifully crafted fragrance that will serve a multitude of occasions — office, dinner date, meeting the parents, anywhere, any season.
kLe1n:D – :
I’m surprised I like this as much as I do, since chypres often give me headaches. That blast of patchouli and oak moss should have turned me off and driven me to a sneezing fit. But it didn’t! BV is surprisingly smooth and creamy, likely from the noticeable leather. The patch isn’t screechy, as it usually is on me. It just provides a nice green counterbalance to the warm leather. BV smells rich and sophisticated – perhaps a bit *too* rich and sophisticated for me to feel comfortable in it under all circumstances. It’s not really “me,” but it is quite beautiful and would make a lovely signature scent.
colleyshiella – :
Who needs this when you have the one by Rihana..which is an awesome dupe!
yurok48 – :
What a disappointment. Currently rating 4.15 out of 5, I expected something wonderful. Instead, I have a lingering smell somewhat akin to Cussons Imperial Leather soap. Old fashioned and cloying. This assaults my nose in ways I can’t describe. Thank God I only bought a mini.
paratapak – :
I am totally gone for this perfume. Head over heels in love. It’s my signature scent and I wear it almost daily. I can’t get enough of this warm, embracing, so-different-than-others scent! It would definitely be a good winter perfume but I wear it anytime I want to. It reminds me of a soft, warm comforting angora sweater that’s your favorite. I hope they never stop making this!
DOMINUS – :
I wanted so much to like this perfume. I ‘m looking for a leather perfume – I looove Kelly Caleche but i would replace some of the rosy note with something more bitter form eau Claire de Merveille. I alos have LLady Gaga’s leather perfume- which is just a citrusy and with a vague hint of violets and leather.
BV is too Gucci Rush.:(. Is a more watery, more elegant and quality version of it but still too sweet, almost intoxicating power like Gucci. I have maybe sprayed too much and i usually spray my clothes not my skin- trying to reduce the chemicals on my body- and maybe this is why I haven’t smelled the leather that much. I can tell is something leathery there but the Rush-esque powder is overlapping everything… you can definitely feel the quality ingredients but i was looking for a day to day wear at the office but something leathery and different from the mainstream perfumes – and BV eau de perfume is not that type of perfume. I will give it a new try but probably to the EDT, hoping that this is more fresh and leather.although i’m trying to look for new fragrances, i’m always returning to my beloved eau claire de merveille and Kelly caleche…
our of curiosity, what that ingredient that gives the Gucci Rush -esque milky, lactic smell? do you know that?
d21178 – :
It was a long time I was dreaming of trying Bottega veneta.it’s notes aren’t what I usually go for but something in my heart told me that there’s going to be a special thing between us but it’s expensive and too risky for blindbuy for someone who usually can’t handle pink pepper,patchouli and leather.however I saw Rihanna Rogue among similar fragrances and I like that one
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a tiny sample of it in the drawer I put my samples in.how could of receive and forget having such a sample?!
It’s just a 1mil sample so I dabbed a little on back of my hand and magic happened.I was hooked!
It’s a shame I can’t truely describe it.I’m hypnotized by soft dance of notes.none of them overpowers.leather doesn’t smell like car tyres.it’s more like a warm,skin like suede.patchouli isn’t dirty.it’s a clean scent but different from typical clean fragrances.it’s also warm and deep.and oh so elegant.it smells very expensive,very sophisticated.full of confidence and charm.and it becomes more heavenly as it develops.sambac jasmine adds a gorgeous floral feminity to this unisex leather,patchouli,moss combo.I can also detect a hint of something plumish but not like very strong plum note of Rihanna Rogue.drydown is mostly jasmine and moss,wrapped in a smooth layer of leather and tamed patchouli.I adore luxurious classic vibe of it.there are not many chypers that I love,but this one is such a gentle one that I can’t think about it’s notes or olfactory group.I’d rather let it hug me in it’s warm, protective veil.it’s very comforting but at the same time has a dressed up,fancy vibe.I love it
Longevity is amazing.8 hours and still counts.sillage isn’t huge.not in my case.it stays pretty close to skin but isn’t faint.for me it’s a fall,winter perfume but I’m sure it would be wearable year round
I can see why is Rihanna Rogue is among similar perfumes.well it shares some aspects but can’t replace this work of art by any means.rouge is much louder and has more emphasize on sexy aspects and catching attentions while Bottega veneta is more about class,prestige,dignity and originality.I like rouge while I love this one
I need to have it in my collection but more than that.I need to have it’s legere flanker.a musky version of it seems like a dream to me
Highly recommended to everyone.speacially +30years
Drionn – :
Fragrance Review For Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta
Top Notes
Bergamot Orange Pink Pepper
Middle Notes
Jasmine
Base Notes
Patchouli Oak Moss Leather
A confident chypre of Italian leather an a musk like a warm bear fur trench coat from the house of the Bottega Veneta Italian fashion house. This smells like a fashion show of fur during Milan Fashion Week: coats trimmed in white polar bear fur, or black bear or red fox, black leather gloves, suede boots, and a dark autumnal brown cashmere sweater with turtleneck. It is wintery and very cozy if you can cozy up to a mature chypre fragrance. This is a throwback to classic chypres with the now almost non existent oak moss note which makes me so happy to smell it in this modern fragrance. The nose is Michel Almairac whose work I have come to appreciate. This is fabulous. I am wearing it tonight at a Milan Fashion Week post fashion show party.
The opening is a fresh and rather astringent lemon note like a medicinal lemon or aftershave. The bergamot is very strong and turns oily which makes me think that this fragrance is unisex. When you see notes like citrus and leather, not to mention patchouli, the scents will come off as either feminine Oriental or unisex green. An aromatic patchouli does take over the cologne but not before a pleasant and interesting development. After the orange, the pink pepper throws up a spicy air and then a jasmine scent smooth and soapy emerges. This is one of the most clean and soapy jasmines I’ve encountered.
Bottega Veneta does not really cry Oriental as it does a luxurious bar of white soap. The jasmine is also coming off as green and shrubby but that’s the patchouli leaves that come into play. The dry down in it’s final stage is all leather. Smells like expensive leather which is a note that I can’t get enough of.
So ultimately this fragrance for me is a simple but glamorous fashion perfume. It is more mature than most of today’s celebrity scents and will appeal to those experienced perfumistas who sport unisex fragrances from the fashion houses like Alexander McQueen and some of the newer Louboutin fragrance. This is very similar to one of the Louboutins – Trouble in Heaven. A rich leather, a fragrant patchouli, a lovely jasmine. This is something both men and women can wear on a formal evening in autumn or winter.
A dignified and glorious fragrance.
Tortik – :
After wearing this for a couple of years, I think I’m going to have to downgrade to a like rather than a love. This can just smell so differently on my skin from one wearing to the next. Sometimes the leather smells plush and plummy, and other days it smells like an old bar of soap.
I had initially tested the Eau Legere version of this and loved that, and then someone on Fragrantica said that getting either version was a tossup because they both basically smelled the same. I totally disagree! The Legere is much more delicate and floral and easier to wear. It has a mild gardenia note that combats some of the dustiness from the patchouli. The Legere I think could be worn year ’round, while the original BV is strictly a cool weather perfume for me.
One day I’ll break down and get a bottle of the Legere, my original first choice.
boldkyjkeez – :
A light-footed patchouli with pink pepper. I am not a fan, but at least I think this wouldn’t offend me on someone else, as long as they don’t overapply.
hoft – :
Bottega Veneta by Bottega Veneta was on my want list for about five years. I got a mini in a swap years ago and loved it. Looking back this fragrance was ahead of its time. It has a certain refined elegance about it, yet is great for everyday wear. It opens with a sparkling bergamot top note and has a subtle spicy twist of pepper. The oak moss keeps the patchouli smelling fresh and the jasmine leather blend smells surprisingly sweet on my skin. I finally got myself a full-sized bottle and am really enjoying it. My best friend’s mom hugged me the other day while I was wearing it and said, “Oh my god darling you smell absolutely divine!”
giovanni 39 – :
For me, this is all about the leather, oak moss and patchouli. A slight hint of black pepper way in the background. The jasmine is completely lost on me, as is the bergamot; definitely earthy/leather/patchouli/woody.
I like wearing this on cold/grey/rainy days (which we get a lot of where I live). So, I do appreciate the break I get with this from the sweetness/fruitchoulis and my beloved white florals and I like that this is a unique scent. Not a ‘cookie cutter’ fragrance that every other girl and her mother will be wearing. Very cool, rather unique, and quite unisex in my opinion.
Different than the norm for me, and I sometimes dig ‘different’. Not overpowering, actually sits close to the skin for me. Lasts on me a good 8 to 10 hours.
perdeo-LORD – :
Hello,
I Love this Fragrance! However, it does not last not even a few minutes on my skin and I do not get to smell anything else after the first spray. I bought my bottle about a year ago and I wanted to know what places you recommend I buy from maybe with a more lasting combination.
саша789 – :
How lucky am I to have received this perfume as a Christmas present today! It is gorgeous and I can’t stop sniffing my wrist and cooing with glee! It’s the leather! I love leather, done right, in perfume. It reminds me of the leather in JHAG Citizen Queen