The fragrance is housed in a magnificent coffret, beautifully embellished in homage to Klimt's masterful signature style. The black bottle is adorned with Kilian's signature finishes including the engraved plaque, galvanized cap, both rendered in gold tone – comes inside its own sculptured enameled box. Once opened, the mirror metal lid inside reflects the luminosity, mysterious glamour, and jewel-like quality of each bottle.

The faceted flacon is inspired by the timeless cognac carafe and is created by a traditional glass-making technique requiring 12 craftspeople. The bottle is finely engraved in a light reflecting pattern that replicates the brand's iconic ‘K' and also bears the golden plaque, finished with a heavyweight stopper, fashioned from metal and glass.

‘Woman in Gold' is inspired by 1907 portrait of leading Viennese art patron and taste-maker Adele Bloch-Bauer who was the only woman Klimt painted twice. The perfumer for ‘Woman in Gold' is Calice Becker. The paintings fascinating contrasts and complexities, bewitching glamour, and intrigue inspired Calice to create this ‘texturized and brilliant, rich and voluptuous scent'. The top notes are Bergamot, middle notes are Rose and Vanilla Absolute, and base notes are Patchouli and Akigalawood.

To me, the notes that stood up on my skin are the rose, vanilla, and patchouli, in a delicate, expensive, and feminine manner. The Akigalawood, which is an exclusive patchouli molecule, give the sophisticated and expensiveness feel to the scent. It is delicately powdery at the same time as well as clean and light-weight, not very overpowering but warm. The dry down of vanilla is absolutely delicious. The scent does not change much on my skin and the staying power is good, lingers around for the whole day. I would not wear it every day but it is a special occasion scent, when you feel the best, when luxury is your agenda.

It is indeed ‘A Perfume as complex and dazzling as the woman who wears it'. Kilian is available at Holt Renfrew, Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-A-Porter, Harrods.

The post The Contrast of Gold & Darkness in Scent – Woman in Gold By Kilian appeared first on The Velvet Life.