Madame Rochas

Madame Rochas is a classic from 1960, composed by Guy Robert for Rochas, and it is a floral in the grand, aldehydic style of its era. Floral is how nearly everyone describes it; a minority also notice woods, sweetness, green notes, freshness and citrus.

The opening is sparkling and slightly soapy, with aldehydes lifting bergamot and hyacinth into a bright, powdery fizz. The heart is a full bouquet rather than a single flower: iris for powder, Bulgarian rose and jasmine for richness, with lily of the valley adding a green, dewy freshness. The base is a traditional chypre floor of oakmoss and sandalwood, warmed by amber, so it dries down soft, woody and faintly mossy.

Most wearers find it lasts long or moderately long, and the sillage is moderate for about half and strong for a third. Spring and autumn take the top votes and it is mostly worn by day, which suits a polished, formal daytime scent for anyone who enjoys the powdery elegance of older perfumery.

Madame Rochas — unisex fragrance by Rochas (released 1960). Top notes: Aldehydes, Hiacynth, Green Notes, Neroli, Honeysuckle, Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Lemon. Heart notes: Iris, Narcissus, Orris Root, Ylang-Ylang, Bulgarian Rose, Violet, Lily-of-the-Valley, Jasmine, Tuberose. Base notes: Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Musk, Cedar, Amber, Tonka Bean. — Parfica open fragrance database