Shanghai Lily

Shanghai Lily, inspired by Tom Ford Shanghai Lily (2013)

Anyone expecting a dewy lily will be surprised. Cloves and two peppers, black and pink, set the tone from the first moment, with bitter orange underneath. The white flowers that follow, tuberose and jasmine with rose, are lush rather than fresh. Incense and olibanum (another name for frankincense) then pull the scent towards smoke, while vanilla rounds off a resinous base of benzoin and labdanum.

About the original

Shanghai Lily was one of four Atelier d'Orient scents in Tom Ford's Private Blend, alongside Plum Japonais, Fleur de Chine and Rive d'Ambre. The collection launched in the UK in May 2013 and drew on opulent Silk Road ingredients. None of the four is listed by Tom Ford today. Owners have reported Shanghai Lily as discontinued, although a 2018 account quoted customer service saying it was not being withdrawn at that time.

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

Rich spiced florals with incense are the territory here, closer to an amber oriental than to a bouquet. Clove is prominent early, and the smoke and castoreum give it a dark edge that may not appeal to someone after a clean, airy white floral.

Related scents

• Tom Ford Plum Japonais
• Tom Ford Sahara Noir
• Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge

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

Notes: Cloves, Black Pepper, Pink Pepper, Bitter Orange, Tuberose, Jasmine, Rose, Incense, Olibanum, Benzoin, Labdanum, Vanilla, Cashmere Wood, Guaiac Wood, Castoreum, Vetiver

Clove and pepper dominate the opening, with bitter orange giving a tart citrus twist.

Tuberose and jasmine fill the heart, rose threaded through them, as incense starts to drift in.

The base pairs benzoin and labdanum with vanilla. Guaiac and cashmere woods, castoreum and vetiver keep it dry and dark underneath.

Does Shanghai Lily smell of lilies?

Not in an obvious way. Spice and incense surround tuberose and jasmine, so the effect is smoky rather than a fresh lily.

Is Shanghai Lily discontinued?

It is no longer listed by Tom Ford, nor are its Atelier d'Orient siblings. Owners have reported it as discontinued, but we have not found a brand statement.

Is Shanghai Lily a women's fragrance?

fragrance references list it for women, while Private Blend scents are generally treated as unisex.

Is Tom Ford Shanghai Lily coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Tom Ford 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.

Tom Ford and Shanghai Lily 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.