Tom Ford Fleur de Chine was introduced in the Tom Ford Atelier d'Orient series from his Private Blend Collection in the fall of 2013.
Fleur de Chine is a nod to the great fragrances of the past - soft and smoldering.
With notes of tea blossom, magnolia, clementine, bergamot, hyacinth, jasmine tea, lilac, plum, tea rose, wisteria, white peach, peony, hinoki, Chinese cedarwood, amber, Laotian benzoin, storax and vetiver.
Tom Ford Private Collection has released a prodigious number of fragrances, ranging from the amazing to the weird to the slightly kinky. Not all of them are masterpieces, but they usually are as interesting as Tom Ford himself.
From Now Smell This - "I like Fleur de Chine; it’s one of the more interesting Private Blend fragrances. It has a vintage vibe, reminding me of old-style talcs, soaps, and lotions, as well as perfume. It’s very feminine to my nose, and I won't be wearing it myself (though I'd love it as a soap)."
From Bois de Jasmin - "Describing Fleur de Chine as a spicy magnolia set on top of plums and sandalwood is too simple. It has so many layers that you can easily enjoy it like a good book–sit down in a comfortable armchair with a cup of tea, spray the perfume on your wrist and follow the story. You not only get a beautiful fragrance out of Fleur de Chine, but also a perfume history lesson. The start is a cool and sparkling floral aldehyde that calls to mind Balmain Ivoire and Lanvin Arpège. A dash of cinnamon, and soon you notice the creamy sweetness of plums, an impression that will linger long after the aldehydes are gone.
The combination of crushed green leaves and plums reminds me of Yves Saint Laurent Y, and to a lesser extent, Guerlain Mitsouko. These references are subtle, not at all contrived, and the result is original. The magnolia is the star of the composition, but sheer rose and hyacinth add other facets.
More information and Tom Ford Fragrance reviews can be found at:
| Perfume Name | Tom Ford Private Blend Fleur de Chine (Atelier d’Orient Series) |
| Year Introduced | 2013 |
| Perfumer | Unknown |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Strength | EDP |
| Notes | Tea blossom, magnolia, clementine, bergamot, hyacinth, jasmine tea, lilac, plum, tea rose, wisteria, white peach, peony, hinoki, Chinese cedarwood, amber, Laotian benzoin, storax and vetiver |
| Country of Origin | United States |
I was surprised to read many underwhelmed reviews of Fleur de Chine elsewhere because, to me, it's a perfect blend between traditional perfumery and a more modern use of spice. It is, I suppose, atypical for the usual Tom Ford customer. I would love to wear this every day; I haven't decided whether or not to try to track down a full bottle.
Many perfumes don't play nicely with my chemistry. While many start out interesting and full of promise, the mid and base notes often wind up smelling...off. Similarly, some florals induce headaches. However, I found myself enchanted by this soft, more subtle, linear scent over the course of several days. The magnolia, in concert with the other ingredients, comes across as warm, somewhat spicy, creamy and lemony on me. And it largely stays that way for the next 4 to 6 hours. I prefer a perfume that purrs instead of shouting, and on me, this one purred beautifully. The only drawback is that it has been discontinued, so finding a genuine bottle may be a challenge.
I was surprised to read many underwhelmed reviews of Fleur de Chine elsewhere because, to me, it's a perfect blend between traditional perfumery and a more modern use of spice. It is, I suppose, atypical for the usual Tom Ford customer. I would love to wear this every day; I haven't decided whether or not to try to track down a full bottle.
Many perfumes don't play nicely with my chemistry. While many start out interesting and full of promise, the mid and base notes often wind up smelling...off. Similarly, some florals induce headaches. However, I found myself enchanted by this soft, more subtle, linear scent over the course of several days. The magnolia, in concert with the other ingredients, comes across as warm, somewhat spicy, creamy and lemony on me. And it largely stays that way for the next 4 to 6 hours. I prefer a perfume that purrs instead of shouting, and on me, this one purred beautifully. The only drawback is that it has been discontinued, so finding a genuine bottle may be a challenge.
