This Perfume Is the Le Labo Santal 33 of Europe

According to Elena Vosnaki, author and senior editor at Fragrantica.com and founder of Perfumeshrine.com, Portrait of a Lady has been duped numerous times, and the inspiration behind the scent has to do with the burgeoning trend of Arabian-inspired perfumery. “The perfume deals with a rose note and spices in a new, modern way that varies between the oriental and chypre theme with patchouli, natural and intense, dominating the heart of the composition,” she explains. “It is Arabian-inspired but clearly aimed at Western consumers. In a way, it recalls older rose chypres, like L’Arte di Gucci and Parfum de Peau by Montana. Yet modernized without much of the bitter oakmoss note and the too heavy, dirty ‘animal’ background. It feels groomed, not lived in!”