Roma

Roma, inspired by Laura Biagiotti Roma (1988)

Roma opens with bitter orange and lemon, edged with thyme and the tart fruit of blackcurrant and red berries. Its heart is unusual for a feminine oriental: tuberose sits beside lavender, Roman chamomile and gentian, a bitter alpine root, which gives the flowers a herbal, almost medicinal dryness. Gradually the resins take over. Myrrh, Peru balsam and benzoin, all balsamic tree resins, lay down a dark, sweet-smoky base softened with vanilla and sandalwood.

About the original

Laura Biagiotti launched Roma in 1988, although some sources date it to 1987. Its fluted, matte-glass bottle, designed by Peter Schmidt, recalls a classical Roman column. The brand classifies the scent as oriental spicy, and it has since spawned a long line of flankers plus Roma Uomo for men (1992). The original women's Roma remains part of Laura Biagiotti's range.

Our version

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

Who it suits

Women drawn to vintage-style orientals will find a lot to like, and database users mostly place it in autumn and in evening or formal settings. The herbal heart and resinous drydown divide opinion, so anyone expecting a modern, sugary floral may find it heavy and dated.

Related scents

• Laura Biagiotti Roma Uomo
• Laura Biagiotti Sotto Voce
• Laura Biagiotti Venezia

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

Top notes: Bitter Orange, Thyme, Lemon, Blackcurrant, Red Berries

Heart notes: Tuberose, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Gentian, Orange Blossom

Base notes: Sandalwood, Myrrh, Peru Balsam, Benzoin, Vanilla

Bitter orange and lemon give a zesty start, while thyme adds a savoury, herbal edge and blackcurrant a tart, leafy fruitiness.

In the heart, tuberose brings a rich, buttery floral note, cut by lavender, chamomile and gentian so that it never turns lush.

Myrrh, Peru balsam and benzoin dominate the base with a balsamic, faintly smoky sweetness, which vanilla and sandalwood round out.

Is this the women's or the men's Roma?

The women's Roma from 1988. Roma Uomo (1992) is a separate men's fragrance, which we also make.

Is Roma sweet?

Moderately. Vanilla and benzoin sweeten the base, but bitter orange, thyme and gentian keep the opening and heart dry and herbal.

What does Peru balsam smell like?

A tree resin with a vanilla and cinnamon-like warmth. In Roma it works with myrrh and benzoin to create the dark, balsamic drydown.

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.

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