While I dabble with new scents all the time, my signature scent is still Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, it just smells like me. When people hug me, they know, c’est moi. The olfactory sense is so powerful, and I certainly do like to leave my mark. For some reason, I’m more willing to try new fragrances when I travel, especially to Italy. Be it airport duty-free or wandering the extensive fragrance section of 10 Corso Como, I usually come home with my new must-have scent. My most recent trip to Milan for fashion week left me with Tom Ford’s Velvet Orchid.

Tom Ford is one of those designers that can do no wrong. From YSL and Gucci to his eponymous line his tastes are impeccable as are his attention to detail. When he came out with a signature fragrance line it was safe to say this wasn’t going to be solely an uninvolved licensing deal. From the sleek and sexy bottles evoking vintage boudoir drapes to the gold hardware, even before smelling any of his fragrances, you know that you want that bottle on your perfume tray. Tom Ford’s scents are known for being complex, sophisticated and with a similar penchant of evolving as that of his brand. Velvet Orchid is no exception, sensual and seductive, yet playful. A take on Tom Ford’s iconic original Black Orchid, this lighter, floral scent is like it’s younger sister. It’s an oriental floral fragrance with overtones of cool citrus, dramatic petals, honey and rum. There are also notes of Orange Blossom, Hyacinth, Jonquil, Cattleya Leopoldii Orchid, Suede Accord, Vanilla Tincture. The bottle surely takes it inspiration from the Cattleya Leopoldii orchid, a new purple orchid that grows in the wilds of southern Brazilian coast. It’s one of those scents that you breath in deeply and sensually and it won the Fragrance Foundation Award for Women’s Luxury Fragrance of the Year, 2015. As Jay-Z says, “I don’t pop molly, I rock Tom Ford.” Scents are always a great entry point into the world of a luxury house. Definitely try it!

So tell me, have you tried Velvet Orchid or any of Tom Ford’s other scents? What’s your signature Fall / Winter scent?