I’m definitely not someone who purchases fancy, expensive lingerie (and that is all you’ll know, and all you need to know!), but I do like Agent Provocateur’s fragrance line. It’s a relatively small product range, and the fragrances all seem to be targeted at the over-25 demographic, two refreshing changes from the current norm. Maîtresse has been my favorite since it was released, although I also like and respect the original Agent Provocateur’s saffron-rose chypre effect.

Now we have Pétale Noir, “a deep floral scent with a hint of oriental mystique” and top notes of mandarin, water lily, bergamot, violet leaves, hyacinth and magnolia; middle notes of rose otto, rose absolute, ylang ylang, muguet, orris, osmanthus, neroli, cassis blossom; and base notes of ginger, leather, sandalwood, vetiver, tobacco leaf, amber, musk and sandalwood. Agent Provocateur’s description for this fragrance warns us that its “soft petals make way for dangerous prickly thorns.” However, I experienced Pétale Noir’s development in reverse: for me, it begins as a modern chypre, with dark rose framed by vetiver and patchouli. It’s not a skanky-dirty rose, but it’s more roughed-up than most florals you’ll find at the average department store…

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