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Portrait of a Lady

Portrait of a Lady is an eau de parfum by Frédéric Malle, composed by Dominique Ropion and launched in 2010. The house sets a Turkish rose in a boundless quantity, magnified by woods, amber and incense, and says it redraws the chypre family with it. The fragrance entered the Fragrance Hall of Fame in 2026.

Robin, on Now Smell This, hails a brilliant fragrance in 2010, a must-try: a spicy, murky rose carried by a very clean patchouli and incense, more elegant than Une Rose. Victoria, on Bois de Jasmin, admires in 2014 a big personality and an intricate story, between blazing spices, honeyed rose, patchouli and incense smoke.

What critics say

Now Smell This: a clean patchouli

On December 15, 2010, Robin describes a fruity opening of tart berry jam, quickly overtaken by the rose. Within minutes the fragrance settles into a spicy, murky rose, oriental without heaviness, with a very clean patchouli, incense and plenty of musk.

Robin finds it more elegant than Une Rose, another rose from the house that nonetheless keeps Robin’s preference, and sees Géranium pour Monsieur as the ancestor of its ideas. The fragrance strikes Robin as brilliant, a must-try, and wearable by men.

Bois de Jasmin: a big personality

On November 13, 2014, Victoria smells pepper, clove and cinnamon at the opening, spices so hot they feel chilly, alongside a honeyed rose. An earthy patchouli with hints of chocolate, amber and a creamy sandalwood take over.

The incense rises slowly over a few hours and thickens the curtain of smoke. She places the fragrance among the great orientals, alongside Amouage’s creations, finds it heavy and theatrical, and admires its big personality and intricate story.