New Fragrance Review: Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire Rose Velours – A Fleeting Beauty

VCA Rose Velours header CaFleureBon

Roses are one of the world’s most popular flowers, and there is nothing quite like the beguiling scent of a fresh garden rose. I think it’s sad that the fragrance attribute is being bred out of so many rose varieties in favor of durability and color. Because of the popularity of the flower, I find it interesting that rose can be such a polarizing note in perfume.  I have a family member who despises rose-scented anything, and friends who have happily but laboriously explored the note looking for the perfect one. Personally, I have trouble finding rose perfumes that don’t turn to overripe wine on my skin, and it is a source of pleasure to find one that works.

VCA Rose Velours CafleureBon Galliano

John Galliano for Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2007

The latest fragrance in the Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire, Rose Velours, hits my rose spot quite nicely. It isn’t a dewy, fresh rose, but has the air of a rose that is giving up its last hurrah of the late afternoon. Warm and inviting, with a trace of green leaves, its honeyed nuances add richness and complexity to this rose-centric perfume. It is natural smelling, more like an actual rose than most rose perfumes achieve. It wears close to the skin, with little puffs of scent following me around here and there. The only problem I saw was that the longevity isn’t that good. Just to check that my nose hadn’t accommodated, I asked a friend if she could smell me and she said I just smelled a little bit fresh. This factor is disappointing in a premium fragrance, but as always, your mileage may vary.

VCA Rose Velours CaFleureBonchanelle sergio lopez

Channelle by Sergio Lopez

Rose Velours was composed by perfumer Antoine Maisondieu, who also created Muguet Blanc in this collection. This fragrance is deserving of the Van Cleef & Arpels brand, as it is elegant, but not stuffy or overblown, and unique enough to be a lovely signature scent, were one so inclined. If it lasted a longer time on my skin, I wouldn’t hesitate to add it to my collection.

Notes: Bergamot, violet leaf, honey, iris, rose, ambroxan, benzoin, cedarwood

My sample was provided by Neiman Marcus in San Francisco. It is not online at this time, but is available on counter.

Tama Blough, Senior Editor

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12 comments

  • Cynthia says:

    I thought the whole line was elegant and beautiful and I own the Gardenia one, but none of them had much tenacity on me.

  • Daisy says:

    I have “Over Ripe Wine Syndrome” as well and these honeyed roses are so much better on my skin. I found Rose Velours to have a moderate amount of sillage and a few hours of longevity….of course, Tama knows I’m no shrinking violet when it comes to application. 😉

  • PatriciaC says:

    Like Cynthia i also have their gardinia in a sample and love it. My mother tryed it and hated it but also hates rose perfumes too and i love rose. This is a must try, thanks for the review!

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    the best in the line to date is Bois d’Iris which is similar to The Different Company’s Iris scent

  • amy m. says:

    I tried this one and loved it, and I’m a bit twitchy when it comes to Roses. As with you, Tama, it was fleeting on me. I think they’ve managed to pull off a lovely scent, and it fits well with their line. Thanks for the review!

  • Sujaan says:

    Sounds like it would be a lovely gift perfume, even if you weren’t sure about the person’s taste.