Our take
What does Violet Blonde smell like?
Tom Ford added Violet Blonde to his Signature Collection in 2011. Antoine Lie of Givaudan composed it under the designer's art direction. The opening is green and powdery. Violet leaf, mandarin and lime meet aldehydes and a touch of pink pepper. The heart reveals the real substance. Violet blossom blends with Tuscan orris butter, and a discreet jasmine adds velvet. It brings to mind vintage lipstick, powdery and a little waxy. The violet never turns into candy. The base is very soft. Suede and benzoin lead. Cedar, vetiver and white musks join them to smell like warm chamois. Black Orchid, the line's first feminine, was dark and truffled. Violet Blonde feels light and hushed beside it. The drydown lasts well into the evening. The house dropped it several years ago. Bottles now trade among collectors at high prices.
When to wear it
A between-seasons scent for the office or dinner. Two sprays on the wrists are enough.
It belongs to the Floral, Woody family. Violet Blonde is one of 33 creations by Tom Ford in our encyclopedia.
