Black Violet

Black Violet, inspired by Tom Ford Black Violet (2007)

Black Violet is a chypre, the family built on citrus at the top and oakmoss at the base, with a violet set between the two. Bergamot and a fruity accord give the first minutes some lift before the flower takes over. The violet reads as smooth and slightly creamy rather than chalky. Oakmoss, which smells damp, earthy and faintly bitter like a forest floor, then pulls everything towards a darker, mature finish over dry woods.

About the original

Clement Gavarry and Pascal Gaurin are credited with the 2007 composition for Tom Ford's Private Blend collection. Its regular bottle sizes were later withdrawn, and in 2019 the scent returned in the Private Blend Reserve Collection as a 250 ml format, which Tom Ford Beauty's UK site still lists. The brand's current description names orris, a violet wood accord, patchouli, sandalwood and vanilla, a different set from the 2007 pyramid, so the present version may have been reworked. This page refers to the original 2007 composition and its documented notes.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Tom Ford stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Anyone who already wears chypres or mossy florals will find it easy to read. Marketed without gender, it feels composed rather than playful. Those expecting a sugared violet may find the mossy drydown austere.

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Fruity Notes, Citruses, Bergamot

Heart notes: Violet

Base notes: Oakmoss, Woody Notes

Bergamot and other citrus open it with a clean, bitter-peel edge, joined by a loose fruity accord that keeps the start from feeling severe.

The violet then moves to the centre. Dusky and smooth, it stays closer to petals than to the candy note many violet perfumes lean on.

Oakmoss and woody notes form the base, earthy and a little green, giving the scent its chypre shape and a shadowy finish.

Is Tom Ford Black Violet discontinued?

Not entirely. The original regular sizes were withdrawn, but Tom Ford reissued it in 2019 in a 250 ml Reserve Collection bottle that is still sold in the UK.

Is the current Black Violet the same as the 2007 version?

Possibly not. The brand's current key notes list orris, patchouli, sandalwood and vanilla and leave out the oakmoss and fruit of the original pyramid.

Is it a powdery violet?

Only partly. The violet is usually described as creamy rather than powdery, and the base is mossy and woody.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Tom Ford and Black Violet are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Tom Ford in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.