SageOpens with
OlibanumHeart
LeatherDries down to
John StephenThe nose · 16 fragrances · also made Gravitas Pour Homme (2020)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Boadicea the Victorious · Sold as unisex
Complex
A dimly lit study where the rich aroma of aged leather intermingles with the subtle spiciness of fresh herbs, creating an atmosphere that is both warm and enigmatic.
Full bottle: Luxury tier, typically $250+. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
ComplexLuxury · $250+
44%Similar accords, often for lessBlack Incense Malaki · ChopardMid-range tier, $40–100 · shares olibanum, leather and agarwood (oud)8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2017 by Boadicea the Victorious, Complex was crafted by perfumer John Stephen and is a gender-neutral fragrance that embodies British elegance and incomparable quality. The composition opens with a fresh spicy accord of sage and basil, leading to the aromatic warmth of olibanum and violet. Leather and agarwood (oud) create a smoky, balsamic base, while musk adds an animalic depth. This intricate blend of notes makes Complex a fragrance that is both complex and compelling.
Apply Complex sparingly to let its complex layers unfold gradually. The smoky base notes develop over time, so a light application allows for a more nuanced experience throughout the day.
Fig. 01 — Complex, Boadicea the Victorious
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
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John Stephen
John Stephen, born in rural England, studied chemistry at the University of Bath before turning his family's failed perfumery venture into The Cotswold Perfumery in Bourton-on-the-Water.
The Complex line
2 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Boadicea the Victorious
More from the house · founded 2005 · United Kingdom
You Might Also Like
Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the $250+ price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalComplexBoadicea the Victorious · Luxury · $250+Chopard · 2020Black Incense MalakiShares Olibanum, Leather and Agarwood (oud)$40–100★ 4.25 (1,033)42%Match
Guerlain · 2017Les Absolus d'Orient Oud EssentielShares Olibanum, Leather and Agarwood (oud)$100–250★ 4.13 (1,138)42%Match
Lattafa Perfumes · 2018Velvet OudShares Leather, Agarwood (oud) and Muskunder $40★ 4.05 (1,588)43%Match
MontaleOud EditionShares Leather, Agarwood (oud) and Musk$100–250★ 4.19 (364)
With Zara Water My Emotions
Adds mossy, earthy and vanilla; shares two accords.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Respected, if divisive: loved by 41%, disliked or hated by 26%.