Andrée Putman basically spent her life as the interior designer. When I think of how a wealthy person with good taste decorates, I basically think of Putman’s streamline, unfussy, neutral, and very French aesthetic. Yeah, I’m sure it’s dated, or at least the vision in my head is, but her work has left an impression deep in my psyche – a neutral, light-filled imprint (with enormous windows and high ceilings) that is still way out of my price range.
Like any other good designer, Putman launched a line of fragrances (fun fact, she designed the Guerlain boutique in Paris). However, she beat the curve since she launched her first in 2002. More followed thirteen years later. They all have that streamline, unfussy elegance of her designs. They’re all basically “soliflores” or single-themed fragrances which for some reason, designers gravitate to.
With a name like Tubereuse Interdite, one would expect a tuberose soliflore…and that’s exactly what you get. There’s no surprises. The opening of Tubereuse Interdite is a creamy, lactonic tuberose. It’s like a cool, mentholated tuberose with coconut cream and peach nectar. For most of the wear, that’s exactly how this perfume keeps wearing. It’s a creamy, milky tuberose. I sort of think of it like a custard of tuberose and warm nights in the tropics. Eventually it becomes more like an amber elegantly draped in white florals.
My favorite tuberose perfumes pair the flowers cool aloofness with its skin-like warmth. The olfactory composition of tuberose is one filled with contrasts. I love a tuberose perfume that exaggerates the flower’s contrasts. Tubereuse Interdite does this. It’s cool/green and warm/creamy. Some may find that it delves too much into the creamy sweetness, but that’s what I like about this fragrance. It’s a sweeter, tropical tuberose that doesn’t really read as such. It’s more of a little black dress instead of a floral print bikini.
Notes listed include white pepper, neroli, peach, tuberose, gardenia, orange blossom, musk, amber and benzoin. Launched in 2017. PERFUMER – Olivia Giacobetti
Give Tubereuse Interdite a try if you like creamy white florals or tuberose. Or perfumes like MDCI Parfums Nuit Andalouse, Piguet Fracas, Versace Blonde, Madonna Truth or Dare, McQueen by Alexander McQueen and/or Bond No. 9 Saks Fifth Ave for Her. This really is one for those that like white florals.
Projection and longevity are average. For a tuberose soliflore, I don’t find it suffocating. It’s more blousy and breathable than most.
Tubereuse Interdite comes in a few sizes with the 3.4 oz retailing for $175 at Beautyhabit. Samples are also available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Creamy, tuberose with a good balance of coolness and warmth. I enjoy wearing this but I already have perfumes like this. I can’t justify another especially since I have a barely touched Malle Carnal Flower giving me the “how dare you” look as I spray on samples of expensive tuberose perfumes to review…
*Sample obtained by me. Product pic from Beautyhabit. Vanity Fair 1953 editorial from Vanity Fair.