Our take
What does La Colle Noire smell like?
François Demachy created La Colle Noire in 2016 for La Collection Privée Christian Dior. The name comes from the Provençal château the couturier bought near Grasse, in rose country. A brief squeeze of lemon opens it, there mostly to let air into the flower. Then the centifolia rose settles in. It is honeyed and slightly powdery, closer to a crushed petal than to rose jam. Peony and lily of the valley add a green coolness that keeps it from smelling like a bridal bouquet. The base is soft and milky. Sandalwood rounds things out while white musks smooth the skin, and the amber adds only a little warmth. Recent ingredient lists also name patchouli and oud, though you have to hunt for them. The formula may have shifted since launch. This is a pale, daylight rose, far from the dark rose-oud blends that crowd niche shelves.
When to wear it
Spring and autumn, daytime, at the office or a dressy lunch. Three sprays, since the rose stays close.
It belongs to the Floral family. La Colle Noire is one of 72 creations by Dior in our encyclopedia.
