Something as dark and decadent as this new fragrance launch could only have come from Alexander McQueen. McQueen Parfum is just brilliant; everything about it has been executed with absolute precision, from the theatrical black glass flacon to the way the perfume changes and fades upon the skin. It’s mysterious, powerful and completely unpredictable, with Sambac Jasmine, Tuberose and Ylang Ylang – described as “night blooming florals” – at the heart and top notes of black pepper, pink pepper and clove.
Night blooming florals" This is clearly no ordinary scent!
Before we get into the true nitty-gritty of this evocative fragrance (in my imagination it conjures up scenes with dead-of-night Parisian alleyways and feather-cloaked murderesses and black velvet curtains) it is worth noting that McQueen Parfum is very much in the realms of haute parfumerie and priced accordingly. It’s also only available at Harrods and at the Alexander McQueen boutiques in London, Paris and Monaco, so very exclusive. It’s not a scent you’ll end up smelling on lots of people, should you take the plunge and invest. But back to those night blooming florals: what a gorgeous, dark, wordy twist on what would usually be called a white floral. Suddenly everything sounds just a bit more debauched and erotic – the jasmine and the ylang-ylang and the tuberose become a dangerous, heady aphrodisiac, administered to unwitting victims by an evil se...