Fragrance enthusiasts are shifting their focus away from the lighter scents of summer toward richer, deeper profiles as September launches hit the market. The new arrivals include a woody-floral scent from Max Mara, a darker interpretation of Prada’s signature, and a deep amber fragrance from NOYZ. The collection spans various price points and styles, ranging from a $320 extrait de parfum from Victoria Beckham to a $338 limited edition from ChloĂ©.
A New Chapter for Max Mara
Max Mara enters the fragrance market with its first-ever scent, designed to mirror the brand’s iconic outerwear. The bottle mimics the structure of the 101801 coat, featuring a lacquered camel belt and a gold button cap. Perfumers Marie Salamagne and Fabrice Pellegrin created a woody-floral composition intended to serve as a signature scent for the luxury house.
The top notes feature fresh tuberose from Grasse and tuberose absolute from Guatemala. The heart centers on vanilla, while the base consists of sandalwood and cedarwood. It’s basically your favorite coat in spritz form.
Reimagining the Paradoxe
Prada has introduced a sweeter, fruitier sibling to its cult-favorite Paradoxe line. Master perfumers Nadège Le Garlantezec, Shyamala Maisondieu, and Antoine Maisondieu crafted this new version to play with contrasts and textures. The brand describes the intention as revealing a more emotional sweetness rather than intensity.
Top notes include a blackcurrant syrup accord, while the heart features orange blossom absolute. The base comprises a neroli milk accord. The Eau de Parfum retails for $150 at Sephora and Prada’s official site.
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Dark Amber and Woody Spices
Victoria Beckham Beauty releases its fifth fragrance, Hotel Portofino, a deeper, more intense sequel to the brand’s most-loved Portofino ’97. The extrait de parfum carries over the signature Calabrian bergamot and smoky incense but adds wild fig, saffron, pinot noir, and black amber for a woody, spicy edge.
The fragrance aims to capture a tangible memory of ecstasy and infatuation. Top notes are bergamot, basil, and saffron. The heart includes wild fig, agarwood, and pinot noir accord, while the base comprises incense, papyrus, and black amber. It is priced at $320 at Bloomingdale’s and the brand’s website.
Smoky Vanilla and Amber
NOYZ offers a rich, warm amber scent described as “dark, addictive and unresolved.” The brand characterizes the profile as a smoky vanilla that becomes more intriguing as it wears throughout the day.
Key ingredients include black sugar and smoked vanilla in the top notes. The heart features cognac accord, cassia, and sheer orchid. The base notes are amber, cocoa, tonka bean, and cashmere woods. The Eau de Parfum is available for $85.
Chasing the Blue Hour
Guerlain returns to feminine fragrances with L’Heure Bleue Eau de Parfum, the house’s first major feminine scent in a decade. The perfume attempts to bottle the “blue hour,” the transitional time of day when the sky is perfectly between day and night.
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Director of perfume creation Delphine Jelk spent three years developing a proprietary iris tincture for the amber-floral scent. The top notes include an airy ozonic accord, pear, and neroli. The heart blends the exclusive iris tincture with iris butter and jasmine. The base notes are vanilla, ambroxan, and musks. The fragrance is available for $145 at Sephora and Guerlain.
Reinterpreting an Archive
Valentino’s first prestige fragrance launch in six years is a love letter to its own archives: The original Vendetta debuted under Valentino Garavani back in 1991, and this new floral gourmand is a reinterpretation for a new generation. Co-created by master perfumer Dominique Ropion and perfumer Andrew Everett, the scent was designed around tuberose from Columbia, and for “a confident and magnetic woman.” The top note is a red orange nectar accord, the heart is all Tuberose Osmobloom and the base is sandalwood.
Chloé Atelier des Fleurs Cedrus de Nuit Eau de Parfum
The latest addition to Chloé’s Atelier des Fleurs collection reworks the line’s signature cedarwood note around the Queen of the Night, a white flower so fleeting, it only opens once a year, after dark. Perfumers Quentin Bisch and Louise Turner extracted its honeyed, spiced scent through a first-of-its-kind process, then paired it with cedarwood for rich, lasting depth. Top notes include cinnamon oil, clove bud oil and black pepper oil; mid notes are Queen of the Night, Rosyfolia and Mahonial; and the base notes comprise vanilla absolute, benzoin resinoid and cedar.
Bvlgari Fragrances Omnia Amethyste Eau De Parfum
If you were a fan of the brand’s Omnia Amethyste Eau de Toilette, you’ll love this richer interpretation, courtesy of master perfumer Alberto Morillas. Inspired by amethyst’s glow as it catches the last light of twilight, this version is deeper and more enveloping—amplified iris, if you will. Top notes are iris petal and musky ambrette accord; mid notes are iris absolute and rose damascena absolute; and the base comprises cistus labdanum and vanilla bourbon.
Maison Margiela REPLICA Lost Eden Eau de Parfum
Part of the brand’s REPLICA Fantasies collection, this smoky and sweet, unisex scent reimagines the Eden Garden apple as a woody-gourmand fragrance. Created by master perfumer Honorine Blanc, it’s inspired by “the ancient fantasy of biting the forbidden fruit—a timeless symbol of temptation—it captures the psychological push and pull of desire, inviting you to confront your temptations within the conceptual setting of a mystical, mysterious garden.” The top note is candied apple, the heart is sultry vanilla and the base is smoky oud accord.
