BLACK MANDARIN

Black Mandarin is the unisex extrait de parfum by Les Folies du Parfum, the Verona maison that dedicates its fragrances to mad souls living outside the rules. It is a citrusy, ambery oriental with an intense, refined character, turning a sunny citrus into something dark, sensual and mysterious.

The Fragrance

Black Mandarin is inspired by Mata Hari, the enigmatic dancer of the early twentieth century who became an icon of seduction: a figure suspended between light and shadow, between stage and secret. For the maison identity is an art form and seduction a language, and the perfume translates this duality into a citrus that loses its innocence and turns "black". It is the latest release of the Classic Collection, made in Italy at a 25% concentration, in the hand-crafted dark glass bottle with magnetic cap, kept in a wooden box.

How It Evolves on Skin

The opening is warm and sugary: candied mandarin meets rose and saffron, which immediately give it a spicy shadow. In the heart comes the black mandarin, an accord created to suggest a darker, more enigmatic citrus, wrapped in resinous myrrh and the softness of cashmere. The base closes with density: oud, suede and benzoin form a leathery, balsamic foundation that stays on the skin for hours.

Who We Recommend Black Mandarin To

We recommend Black Mandarin to those who love ambery orientals with an unexpected citrus touch, and to anyone looking for a perfume with a strong concept behind it. It is perfect for evenings and for autumn and winter, yet its fruity opening makes it pleasant on cool spring days too. Unisex, it seduces those who want to stand out.

Fragrance Characteristics

Our Opinion

The concept really works here, not just on paper: the best moment is the turn from the sweet, sunny opening to something more ambiguous and dark within half an hour. It is a recent release, and among the maison's new launches it is the one that won people over fastest in the shop.

Similar Fragrances

• Nomadic Dreams by Ghawali shares mandarin, rose, saffron and oud, in a more leathery, vanillic key with a touch of cocoa.
• Exotic Oud by Jupilò shares saffron, rose, oud, benzoin and leather, with a much fruitier, more exotic opening.
• Ambre Safrano by BDK Parfums shares saffron, rose and leather, in a more ambery, vanillic register without oud.

FAQ

What is "black mandarin"?
It is not a raw material found in nature, but an accord built by the perfumer to suggest a darker, more mysterious citrus than classic mandarin, in line with the play of light and shadow dedicated to Mata Hari.

Who was Mata Hari?
A Dutch dancer of the early twentieth century, condemned as a spy during the First World War and turned into an icon of seduction and ambiguity: she is the muse who inspired this fragrance.

Is it a fresh citrus perfume?
No: despite the name, the citrus here is candied and spiced, and the composition is a warm, ambery oriental, better suited to evenings and the cold seasons than to summer.

How long does it last on skin?
A long time: it is a 25% extrait de parfum and the leathery, resinous base stays perceptible for the whole day, with an ever-present trail.

Product Information

Brand

Les Folies du Parfum

Name

Black Mandarin

Concentration

Extrait de Parfum (25%)

Size

100 ml

Olfactory family

Citrus Ambery Oriental

Launch year

2026

Made in

Italy