Fragrance note
Iris Perfumes
An iris perfume is a fragrance in which iris sets the tone – powdery, cool, slightly earthy and with a hint of violet. The surprise: the scent does not come from the flower but from the root, dried for years, which yields one of perfumery’s most precious raw materials.
More about Iris Perfumes
Knowledge
How the note behaves
Powdery & delicate
Iris with violet, musk or heliotrope. Like powder on warm skin – quiet and refined.
Cool & leathery
With suede, leather or vetiver. Androgynous and elegant, with a trace of melancholy.
Warm & creamy
With vanilla, tonka, sandalwood or cocoa. Powdery-sweet and comforting.
Curious factThe red ‘lily’ on the coat of arms of Florence is actually an iris. And Tuscany is still a celebrated origin for orris root today.
Knowledge to share
Myth or truth?
Statement 1
The iris scent in perfume comes from the flower.
Myth. It comes from the rhizome, the rootstock, which only develops its typical scent after years of drying.
Statement 2
Orris butter is considered perfumery’s most expensive raw material.
True. One tonne of orris root yields only about two kilograms of oil – after years of storage.
Statement 3
The Florentine lily is actually an iris.
True. Florence’s red emblem, the ‘giglio’, is a stylised iris.
Your result
DISCOVER IRIS PERFUMESFrequently asked questions
Why does iris smell powdery in perfume?
The irones from dried orris root combine a violet-like, woody scent with a cool, almost floury softness. This impression is usually described as ‘powdery’ and reminds many people of lipstick or classic make-up.
Is iris in perfume natural or synthetic?
Both. Genuine orris butter is extremely laborious and precious to produce; perfumers often combine it with irones and ionones, which amplify the effect and are easier to dose.
When should I wear an iris fragrance?
Iris suits the office, the theatre and any moment when a fragrance should feel elegant and understated. Fresh versions in spring, leathery and creamy ones in autumn and winter. It is best to test it on your own skin: with every bottle from 30 ml, we include a 2 ml sample of the same fragrance.
2 ml samplewith every bottle from 30 ml
Free shippingto Austria and Germany from €200
Boutique Bregenzevery fragrance to try
