Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Tom Ford Private Blend- Tuscan Leather


The first time I smelled Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather I thought it was way too butch for me. I had my husband try it, and on him it was a serious, beautiful classic leather. It felt austere and unadorned at first, before melting and melding with his skin. Eventually my curiosity got the better of me and I started testing and experimenting with Tuscan Leather, and the result was true love.

The official notes don't make too much sense to me and my nose: saffron, raspberry, thyme, olibanum, night-blooming jasmine, leather, black suede and amber wood. Yes, it is very... leathery. Sometimes it smells like a new pair of boots in their protective dust cover. But there's also something smoky and almost burnt and a hint of contrasting green. I could swear there's galbanum there and a very chypre-like accord that reminds me of Bandit or vintage Cabochard. Actually, just as many find Bandit to be suspiciously hemp-like, I smell something similar in Tuscan Leather. Or maybe it's closer to China White by Nasomatto, another fragrance with a supposedly illegal substance note, but it's been a while since I tested it (the perfume, that is), so I'm relying on my memory.

In any case, Tuscan Leather is considerably softer on my skin than on my husband. It's a very warm scent and deliciously sinful and sexy. Wearing it is a sensual experience and I'd pair it with killer heels, red lipstick and a slinky dress (guys can wear it with anything and wait for the swooning to begin).

The best thing? Layer it with Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille. It tames the leathery beast, amplifies the smoky, incensy element and adds its honeyed sweetness. Sumptuous doesn't even begin to describe it.

Tom Ford Private Blend perfumes ($180, 50 ml) are available from Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, in store and online.

Photo of Joan Crawford from myvintagevogue.com

3 comments:

  1. MMmmm. i love your idea of a combo. I've been wearing Bvlgari Black for the last couple of days. It has that leather-vanilla smoky feel to it too and I love it.

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  2. I loooooove Tuscan leather! Have you ever tried the latest Clive Christian perfume - 'C' . Many wags have commented that the 'C' must stand for copy as its almost identical to Tuscan leather but in parfum form & way more expensive. I fell in love with it & find it slightly more complex than Tuscan Leather but have never made a plunge & actually put down cash for a 50ml bottle when i could get a 250ml decanter of Tuscan leather for almost the same price!

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  3. Anon, I only tried C a couple of times and can't recall a resemblance to TL, but I'll have to dig up a sample and see how it goes.

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