Mandarin OrangeOpens with
Saffiano LeatherHeart
Haitian VetiverDries down to
Also asParfum · 2023 →
Pascal GaurinThe nose · 62 fragrances · also made Plum in Cognac (2020)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Calvin Klein · Sold as masculine
Defy Eau de Parfum
The first sip of coffee in a bustling city cafe — where the zesty brightness of citrus meets the rich warmth of spices and leather, creating an atmosphere that is both familiar and invigorating.
Full bottle: Mid-range tier, typically $40–100. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Defy Eau de ParfumMid-range · $40–100
42%Similar accords, often for lessZara Black Tag Intense · ZaraBudget tier, under $40 · shares black pepper and suede8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
HeartThe Soul
BaseFoundation
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2022, Defy Eau de Parfum by Calvin Klein is a fragrance crafted by Pascal Gaurin that captures the essence of modern masculinity. The composition opens with mandarin orange and black pepper, creating an immediate freshness and warmth. As it evolves, saffiano leather and suede notes add depth and texture, while Haitian vetiver grounds the scent with its earthy undertones. This fragrance is a proof of Calvin Klein’s minimalist yet classic style, offering a contemporary take on traditional masculine scents.
Apply two sprays to the pulse points. The mandarin orange and black pepper notes are vibrant but fade within an hour, so rely on the saffiano leather and vetiver base for longevity. This fragrance reads better close to skin than across a room, making it perfect for intimate settings.
Fig. 01 — Defy Eau de Parfum, Calvin Klein
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Pascal Gaurin
A tailor's eye for detailPascal Gaurin's childhood fascination with smelling everything from food to furniture connected him to his great-grandfather, a bronze sculptor, and later to a tailor who taught him an appreciation for fine materials.
The Defy line
3 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Calvin Klein
More from the house · founded 1968 · United States
You Might Also Like
Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalDefy Eau de ParfumCalvin Klein · Mid-range · $40–100Zara · 2014Zara Black Tag IntenseShares Black pepper and Suedeunder $40★ 4.18 (55)41%Match
Zara · 2025Platinum SkyShares Mandarin orange and Suedeunder $40★ 3.98 (53)
With Calvin Klein Calvin Klein
Adds floral, white floral and rose; shares four accords.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Respected, if divisive: loved by 23%, disliked or hated by 14%.