Black CurrantOpens with
SandalwoodHeart
BenzoinDries down to
Dominique RopionThe nose · 344 fragrances · also made La Nuit de L'Homme Bleu Électrique (2021)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Frederic Malle · Sold as feminine
Portrait of a Lady 20 Ans
The soft hum of an afternoon in a cozy Parisian apartment, where the scent of incense and warm spices lingers in the air.
Full bottle: Luxury tier, typically $250+. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Portrait of a Lady 20 AnsLuxury · $250+
55%Similar accords, often for lessNarciso Rodriguez for Her Eau de Parfum · Narciso RodriguezPremium tier, $100–250 · shares 5 of its 6 notes8 matches →Composition & Character
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2020 by Frederic Malle and crafted by perfumer Dominique Ropion, Portrait of a Lady 20 Ans is an Oriental Floral fragrance that captures the essence of warm spices and powdery woods. The composition opens with bright black currant and raspberry, giving way to a heart of rose and clove, before settling into a base of sandalwood, patchouli, incense, benzoin, amber, and musk. This blend creates an atmosphere that is both comforting and enigmatic, evoking the lasting elegance of Frederic Malle’s niche fragrances.
Apply this fragrance to pulse points for a long-lasting effect. The powdery and musky base notes will bloom over time, so a light application is recommended. It pairs well with evening wear but can also complement daytime looks due to its balanced warmth.
Fig. 01 — Portrait of a Lady 20 Ans, Frederic Malle
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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Dominique Ropion
The master of power and poetryDominique Ropion is one of the great perfumers of the modern era — a creator whose work bridges the gap between technical mastery and pure artistic expression.
“I had the idea of adding an exceptional quantity of Turkish rose.”
Dominique Ropion · Frédéric Malle / Nose interview
The Portrait of a Lady line
5 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Frederic Malle
More from the house · founded 2000 · France
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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 originalPortrait of a Lady 20 AnsFrederic Malle · Luxury · $250+Narciso Rodriguez · 2006Narciso Rodriguez for Her Eau de ParfumShares 5 of its 6 notes$100–250★ 3.94 (13,847)57%Match
Narciso Rodriguez · 2011Narciso Rodriguez for Her in ColorShares 5 of its 6 notes$100–250★ 4.04 (358)66%Match
Rasasi · 2018Junoon Velvet for WomenShares 6 of its 14 notesunder $40★ 4.28 (32)55%Match
Estée Lauder · 2024Knowing LegacyShares 6 of its 8 notes$40–100★ 3.66 (104)
With Boy Smells Cashmere Kush
Adds green, iris and floral; shares musk.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Still under the radar: loved by 0%, disliked or hated by 100%.