Daring, seductive, and unapologetically glamorous — Ralph Lauren Notorious Eau de Parfum is the fragrance that cemented Ralph Lauren's place in the world of bold, cinematic feminine perfumery. Launched in 2008 and created by master perfumer Olivier Gillotin of Givaudan — the nose behind Gucci Guilty and countless other powerhouse feminine fragrances — Notorious was conceived as a direct homage to the golden age of Hollywood film noir and the women who defined it: Faye Dunaway in The Thomas Crown Affair, Lauren Bacall in The Big Sleep, and Ingrid Bergman in Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious. The result is a sparkling spiced oriental of extraordinary personality — rich, complex, and possessed of a quietly niche-like sophistication that sets it apart from virtually every other Ralph Lauren fragrance and continues to earn it devoted admirers long after its discontinuation. Presented here as a tester unit — full bottle, no retail box — offering the complete fragrance experience at outstanding value.
Notorious opens with a vivid, darkly glamorous burst of black currant, Italian bergamot, and pink pepper — deeply fruity, boldly spiced, and immediately commanding, with the black currant delivering a rich, almost inky depth that sets the entire composition apart from lighter, more conventional fruity-floral openings. The heart reveals the fragrance's most singular and memorable quality: chocolate cosmos flower — a rare, exotic bloom with a natural dark chocolate facet — set alongside frozen white peony and clove-tinged carnation, creating a lush, slightly gourmand floral accord of extraordinary originality and warmth, deeply feminine without ever tipping into sweetness. The fragrance settles into a rich, deeply sensual base of patchouli, vanilla, orris root, and musk — smooth, powdery, and beautifully long-lasting, leaving a warm, slightly smoky trail that lingers on the skin with the quiet authority of a woman who needs no introduction.
Fragrance Profile
- Top Notes: Black Currant, Pink Pepper, Bergamot
- Heart Notes: Carnation, White Peony, Chocolate Cosmos Flower
- Base Notes: Patchouli, Vanilla, Orris Root, Musk
Notorious occupies a genuinely rare space in the Ralph Lauren fragrance universe — darker, richer, and more complex than anything the house had produced before, with a depth and character that collectors consistently describe as having a niche-like quality at a designer price point. Its arc from boldly fruity-spiced opening through an exotic, softly gourmand floral heart to a warm, powdery patchouli-vanilla base is seamlessly composed and deeply rewarding on the skin. Longevity is impressive and sillage is commanding without being excessive — a fragrance that announces itself with confidence and lingers in memory long after the first encounter. Best suited to fall and winter evenings and special occasions, though its warmth and depth earn it year-round devotion from its most dedicated followers.
Product Details
- Brand: Ralph Lauren
- Fragrance: Notorious
- Type: Eau de Parfum (EDP) Spray
- Size: 75 ml / 2.5 oz
- Gender: Women's
- Fragrance Family: Oriental Floral / Amber Floral
- Occasion: Evening, Date Night, Fall & Winter, Special Occasions
- Year Launched: 2008
- Perfumer: Olivier Gillotin
- Status: Discontinued / Collector's Item
An exceptional find for Ralph Lauren collectors, oriental floral fragrance lovers, and women who appreciate the cinematic glamour and bold sophistication of a truly distinctive designer scent.