Rosabotanica

Rosabotanica, inspired by Balenciaga Rosabotanica (2013)

Rosabotanica treats rose as a plant rather than a bouquet. Fig leaf comes first, green and slightly milky, with petitgrain (the twiggy, bitter-orange note distilled from leaves and stems) and a cool touch of hyacinth. The rose arrives already crisp, cut through with grapefruit and dusted with pink pepper and cardamom. Underneath, cedar, vetiver and patchouli keep everything dry and upright, so the flower never turns syrupy.

About the original

Jean-Christophe Hérault composed Rosabotanica for Balenciaga in 2013, a year after Florabotanica opened the house's botanical-garden series. It belongs to Balenciaga's licence era with Coty, and fragrance references describe it as a sheer, 'second skin' interpretation of that theme. When Kering brought Balenciaga beauty in-house, Coty gave up the licence. Perfume databases have since reported Rosabotanica as discontinued.

Our version

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

Who it suits

Anyone who finds classic rose perfumes too heavy or too powdery should look here first. It sits on the fresh side of the rose family, with more leaf and spice than petal. Those hoping for a lush, sweet rose may find it austere, and the vetiver and patchouli finish is drier than most.

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

Top notes: Fig Leaf, Petitgrain, Hyacinth

Heart notes: Rose, Grapefruit, Pink Pepper, Cardamom

Base notes: Cedar, Woody Notes, Vetiver, Patchouli, White Amber

Fig leaf leads, green and faintly milky, with petitgrain and hyacinth giving the opening a cool, slightly bitter edge.

The rose heart is lifted by grapefruit, while pink pepper and cardamom add a tingling spice that keeps it from feeling romantic in the usual way.

Cedar and vetiver form the base, with patchouli and white amber rounding off the dry woods on skin.

Is Balenciaga Rosabotanica discontinued?

Perfume databases report it as discontinued since Coty's licence for the brand ended. Balenciaga's current range could not be checked directly.

How is Rosabotanica different from Florabotanica?

Florabotanica (2012) came first in the series. Rosabotanica followed in 2013 with rose at its centre, framed by fig leaf, grapefruit and cardamom. We also make Florabotanica.

Is it a sweet rose?

No. Its accords are green, woody and citrus, and the cedar, vetiver and patchouli base keeps it dry.

Is Balenciaga Rosabotanica coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Balenciaga that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

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.

Balenciaga and Rosabotanica are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Balenciaga 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.