Oriental Leather

The Oriental Leather family is for the wearer who isn't afraid to be bold. It combines the warm, spiced richness of the orient with the direct, animalic masculinity of leather.

Fragrances such as Paco Rabanne's 1 Million brought the category into the mainstream, proving leather can be seductive and accessible without losing its original, virile character.

These are evening fragrances par excellence, ideal for autumn and winter, perfect for making a memorable entrance in any social setting.

Notes that define it

Leather can arrive through materials such as styrax, birch or suede accords, and usually comes with warm spices, tobacco, incense and resins. Openings tend to turn to citrus or dark fruit that contrast with the base, and bases close with dry woods, amber and dense musks.

How to tell it apart

Against a smoky woody, what dominates here is not ash but an animalic, tanned quality. Against a conventional spiced oriental, the leather adds a recognisable texture many describe as more grown-up. When tobacco gains presence, the whole turns more enveloping and less rough.

How to wear it

These are evening fragrances par excellence, and usually perform better in autumn and winter. They tend to leave a fair amount of trail, so many consider them a poor fit for an office. They suit anyone after a memorable entrance rather than a consensus fragrance.

What to consider before choosing one

Leather is a note with a lot of personality and worth testing before buying: depending on the material used it can read soft and velvety or dry and almost smoky, and the difference is considerable. This is also one of the families most noticeable in shared spaces, so many reserve it for the evening and apply less than usual. Anyone after a characterful fragrance willing to stand out usually finds it here; anyone who prefers to go unnoticed will probably be more comfortable among the woody or aromatic families.