Frédéric Malle - Portrait of a Lady

Frédéric Malle's Portrait of a Lady is celebrated as “the intellectual’s signature”, a masterpiece of rose-centric composition with a complex, artistic soul. This exquisite fragrance combines lush Turkish and Bulgarian roses with patchouli, incense, and spices, creating a bold yet refined presence. Available as a decant, Portrait of a Lady lets you experience its elegance in 2ml, 5ml, or 10ml portions before investing in a full bottle.

The fragrance opens with a sparkling citrus-berry facet, immediately drawing attention while maintaining sophistication. The heart unfolds into a sumptuous rose bouquet, blending Turkish and Bulgarian roses for a lush, velvety effect. As it settles, the incense and sandalwood base creates depth, warmth, and an enduring aura that lingers elegantly on skin and clothes.

Scent Profile

Top Notes

Rose, Clove, Raspberry, Black Currant, Cinnamon, Red Berries

Heart Notes

Turkish Rose, Patchouli, Incense, Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang

Base Notes

Incense, Sandalwood, Musk, Benzoin, Amber, Cedar, Ambergris, Vanilla

Performance

• Portrait of a Lady is known for its excellent longevity and commanding sillage.
• A few sprays easily fill a room, especially in the first several hours when the rose, berries, and patchouli are at full volume.
• As it dries down, the incense, woods, amber, and musk cling to skin and clothing for many hours, often into the next day.
• It’s a fragrance that does not go unnoticed, so a light hand is usually enough.

Why Frédéric Malle's Portrait of a Lady is Iconic

• Often praised as one of the most influential modern rose perfumes.

• A staple among luxury fragrance collectors and connoisseurs.

• Known for its projection, longevity, and unmistakable signature aura.

• Ideal for evenings, events, and confident personalities.

• Frequently compared to opulent Oriental rose scents, yet it remains unmatched.

If you’re a rose lover, you’ll adore these niche parallels like Amouage Interlude.

Best For

• Autumn and winter, and cooler spring evenings

• Evenings, formal events, special occasions, and nights out

• Rose and patchouli lovers who enjoy bold, opulent compositions

• Women who appreciate dramatic, long-lasting niche fragrances

If you love Frédéric Malle – Portrait of a Lady, you may also enjoy Frédéric Malle – Musc Ravageur for a seductive evening counterpart

Fragrance Character

A Feminine fragrance decant with a dark, rosy, patchouli-amber personality. A jammy rose and red-berry top, a powerful heart of Turkish rose, patchouli, incense and woods, and a sumptuous base of ambergris, amber, vanilla, musk, and resins. Sophisticated, theatrical and instantly recognisable, Portrait of a Lady wears like a deep red velvet dress with a trail that enters the room before you do.

Why Choose Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Decant

• An elegant way to explore one of modern perfumery’s most iconic rose-amber creations before purchasing a full bottle

• Ideal for fragrance lovers who appreciate complex, high-quality rose blended with patchouli, incense, and rich ambered woods

• Available in 2 ml, 5 ml, or 10 ml decant sizes, convenient for discovery, travel or reserving for special occasions

• Let's you experience how Portrait of a Lady evolves from a bright spicy-berry rose opening to a deep incense–patchouli and ambergris dry-down over many hours

• A strong contender if you’re curating a wardrobe of statement-making niche fragrances with real presence and longevity

Official / Listed Notes

Rose · Clove · Raspberry · Black Currant · Cinnamon · Red Berries · Turkish Rose · Patchouli · Incense · Sandalwood · Ylang-Ylang · Musk · Benzoin · Amber · Cedar · Ambergris · Vanilla