Femme Rochas

A fragrance that embodies the essence of summer fruitiness! Prior to discovering Femme by Rochas, I wouldn't have considered myself a fan of vintage classics. However, my perspective shifted after embracing this perfume, and I've fallen head over heels in love with its sweet, fruity, and juicy character. The 1944 vintage has a unique history, being an innovation for its time with numerous fruit notes that set it apart from other perfumes like Shalimar, Mitsouko, and Chanel No. 5. This is a quintessential summer fragrance, perfect for warm weather. I find it surprisingly sweet, without the "old lady" vibe often associated with vintage perfumes. The scent explodes with bergamot, orange, apricot, peach, plum, and perhaps currant notes, reminiscent of a fruit cocktail or punch. The opening is fruity and juice-like, followed by an intoxicating booziness from aldehydes. The dry down is surprisingly simple, featuring moss, musk, patchouli, and vanilla, with a hint of Oriental sweetness. This perfume has been described as little dark, yet still sweet and exotic, with Latin American undertones that evoke Brazil or Argentina in the summer. I've received numerous compliments when wearing it to parties, including a Christmas bash where I felt like Carmen Miranda's fruit hat had come to life. Femme by Rochas is truly a party perfume, perfect for warm climates like Southern California (Malibu), where its fruity and spicy character can be worn year-round. While my nose detects spices, woods, musk, and vanilla, the fruit scent remains dominant, with a kick that adds maturity and confidence to the wearer. This perfume is a must-have for those who crave spice, color, and fruitiness in their lives!

I acquired this perfume through a blind buy, having a soft spot for Rochas despite some of their less impressive fragrances. Since it was the last available bottle, I couldn't resist purchasing the 100ml bottle. Upon opening and spraying the scent, I discovered a lush, sensual perfume with a bold, heavy presence, reminiscent of Lanvin's Arpege in its clove-benzoin-peach-vanilla composition. At the time, I found it too strong and spicy for my taste, so I ended up giving it to my grandmother as a birthday gift - she adored it! Now, I'm eager to add it to my collection and will likely repurchase it in the future, hoping it remains available.

The London weather is dampening my mood this October, marking the onset of a somber autumn and winter. My perfume supply is dwindling, but I'm eager to savor every last drop, from work hours to evening strolls, whenever I can conjure up the energy to apply it. I have no doubt that its soothing essence will elicit many admiring glances.

Rochas Femme (1944) is an exemplary plum chypre fragrance that not only showcases its own unique characteristics but also lays the groundwork for Edmond Roudnitska's future creations with Hermes and Dior. The perfume begins with a bold, spicy topnote featuring notes of cinnamon, cumin, and clove, which may be divisive for some but is actually an intentional nod to the chypre style. As you wait for the fragrance to unfold, it reveals a rich and complex composition of stone fruits, rosewood, oakmoss, patchouli, amber-like resins, and leather. Surprisingly, Rochas Femme is versatile enough to be worn by both men and women alike.

The design of the bottle is a masterful representation of femininity, evoking the curves of a woman's form. This exquisite liquid gold embodies the essence of "femme" in its sleek packaging. The richness of its floral notes combines seamlessly with the plum-peach-oakmoss trio, creating a heady, intoxicating blend that commands attention and admiration.