Vanille Fatale

Vanille Fatale, inspired by Tom Ford Vanille Fatale (2017)

Vanille Fatale treats vanilla as a dark ingredient. The 2017 composition opens on saffron and coriander with myrrh and olibanum (frankincense), so the first minutes are spicy and churchy rather than sweet. Roasted barley and coffee absolute then give a toasted, slightly bitter middle, with narcissus and frangipani adding a heady floral thread. Madagascan vanilla takes over in the base, where mahogany and suede keep it woody and textured.

About the original

Tom Ford added Vanille Fatale to the Private Blend range at the end of 2017. In February 2024 the brand released a reworked 'NEW Vanille Fatale' under the same name, and that is the version on sale today. Its published notes overlap with the original but are not identical; the 2024 press release lists agarwood, vetiver and oakmoss among others. The brand has not said how far the two smell alike, and the notes on this page follow the 2017 original.

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

Coffee and barley give it a roasted, almost bakery-like edge that appeals to people who find plain vanillas too sweet. Incense and spice at the start can feel severe for a vanilla, and narcissus brings a heady floral note that not every gourmand fan expects.

Related scents

• Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
• Tom Ford Cafe Rose

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Notes: Saffron, Frangipani, Coffee Absolute, Mahogany Wood Accord, Roasted Barley, Vanilla Resinoid

Saffron and coriander open it, with myrrh and olibanum lending a resinous, incense-like smoke.

In the heart, coffee absolute and roasted barley turn it toasted and faintly bitter, while narcissus and frangipani add a rich floral layer.

The base is Madagascan vanilla with mahogany and suede, sweet but grounded by dry wood and a smooth leathery texture.

Which Vanille Fatale is this, 2017 or 2024?

The description follows the 2017 original. Tom Ford released a reworked 'NEW Vanille Fatale' in 2024 with a different note list, and that version is the one the brand sells now.

Does Vanille Fatale smell of coffee?

Yes, coffee absolute is one of its main notes, alongside roasted barley. Together they give the vanilla a toasted, slightly bitter edge.

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 Vanille Fatale 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.