Description

Carnal Flower or forbidden flower is a fragrance with the fragrance of tuberose. Tuberose is a beautiful and dangerous flower. In some cultures, it is not allowed for young women to feel its intoxicating fragrance after sunset. Tuberose is a symbol of forbidden pleasure, hiding its passionate, sensual character behind its fresh, white, floral face. Its intoxicating fragrance seduces many perfumers; Frederic Malle and creator Dominique Ropion tried to repeat this fragrance in their particular way. Frederic Malle was inspired for Carnal Flower during his visits to California, where everything smells like gardenia and tuberose. The perfume was created in 2005.

Dominique Ropion worked on development of the formula for more than two years. The perfume contains a larger dose of tuberose absolute than any other perfume. The composition opens with heavy, green notes of citrus leaves and branches. As tuberose develops, the green nuance passes into a note of camphora, which softens the opulent flowers unintrusively. Fruity nuances of melon and coconut add light and slightly gourmet sound to the composition and do not attract attention.

The muse for this perfume was Frederic Malle’s aunt, famous actress Candice Bergen, who acted in the movie Carnal Knowledge with Jack Nicholson.

Frederic Malle Carnal Flower Perfume Notes

The top notes contain: bergamot, melon and eucalyptus. The middle notes include: ylang-ylang, jasmine, tuberose, Salicylates (natural, toxic product of herbal origin, a sort of a herbal feromone which is used by plants as a warning). The base encompasses: tuberose absolute, orange blossom absolute, coconut and musk.

Important info: Here, we sell decants only. Frederic Malle Carnal Flower fragrance sample is a hand-decanted perfume sample from the original licensed design house fragrance. The original bottle on the main picture is not for sale, it just shows the original bottle from which perfume will be decanted. Therefore, the customer will receive the authentic scent poured from the original bottle into a new sterile vial.

The Intoxicating Scent of Forbidden Pleasure: A Deep Dive into Frederic Malle Carnal Flower

In the world of haute perfumery, few ingredients possess the polarizing and hypnotic power of the tuberose. Often referred to as the forbidden flower, tuberose is a study in contrasts: a fresh, white floral face that conceals a passionate, almost dangerous sensuality. It is said that in certain cultures, young women were once forbidden from inhaling its intoxicating aroma after sunset, lest they be overcome by its seductive power. This duality is captured perfectly in the olfactory masterpiece: Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle.

A California Inspiration with Hollywood Roots

The genesis of Carnal Flower lies in the sun-drenched landscapes of California. Frederic Malle was inspired by his visits to the Golden State, where the air seemed heavy with the scent of gardenias and tuberoses. However, the muse for this specific fragrance was none other than his aunt, the legendary actress Candice Bergen, who starred alongside Jack Nicholson in the film Carnal Knowledge. This cinematic connection infuses the perfume with a sense of drama and timeless elegance, bridging the gap between nature's raw beauty and Hollywood glamour.

The Mastery of Dominique Ropion

Creating a definitive tuberose fragrance is a challenge that seduces many perfumers, but few conquer it like Dominique Ropion. He spent over two years developing the formula for Carnal Flower, rewriting the rules of floral composition. Ropion achieved a technical feat by incorporating a larger dose of tuberose absolute than any other perfume in existence.

The genius of this composition lies in how it handles the flower's opulence. It opens with heavy, green notes of citrus leaves and branches, mimicking the scent of a flower shop cooler. As the tuberose develops, these green nuances transition into a note of camphor, which unintrusively softens the petals. Subtle, gourmet touches of melon and coconut add a luminous quality, ensuring the scent remains sophisticated rather than overpowering.

Unveiling the Olfactory Pyramid

Carnal Flower is a complex symphony of notes that evolves beautifully on the skin. It is a fragrance that warns of its own potency through nature's own mechanisms.

Top Notes: A refreshing opening of Bergamot, Melon, and Eucalyptus.
Middle Notes: A floral heart of Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, and Tuberose, blended with Salicylates—a natural, slightly toxic product of herbal origin used by plants as a warning signal, adding a layer of intrigue.
Base Notes: A sensual dry down featuring Tuberose Absolute, Orange Blossom Absolute, Coconut, and Musk.

Whether you are a long-time admirer of Frederic Malle or a seeker of scents that embody forbidden pleasure, Carnal Flower offers an experience that is both botanical and carnal. It is a fragrance for those who dare to embrace their passionate side.

Discover the dangerous beauty of tuberose and add this masterpiece to your collection at Fragrances Line.

FREDERIC MALLE PERFUME SAMPLES