The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The Valentina Assoluto collection wanted one thing: the resin. Rosa Assoluto gave it rose. Oud Assoluto gave it oud. Valentina Myrrh Assoluto, arriving in 2016, was built around myrrh. Olivier Cresp and Hamid Merati-Kashani didn't reach for a safe floral counterpoint. They reached for leather. Indian jasmine, myrrh, vanilla, ylang, musk. The perfumers understood something about the Valentina woman: she doesn't need softness handed to her. She makes her own.
The composition pulls in two directions at once. Ylang-ylang and jasmine open warm, powdery, almost creamy. The kind of sweetness that reads as intimate rather than sweet. Then the leather arrives and the rules change. Myrrh is the bridge between them, appearing as the florals fade, settling into the drydown alongside vanilla and musk. No single note dominates. The structure is a slow hand-off, each phase yielding to the next.
The evolution
The opening reads powdery, sweet, lush. Jasmine and ylang-ylang announce themselves clearly before the composition shifts. Within the first hour, leather takes over in a way that surprises even experienced fragrance wearers. The Valentina line is known for powdery florals. This drydown belongs to something else entirely. By the time the florals have fully receded, myrrh arrives to anchor the leather, softening it just enough to keep it warm rather than harsh. Vanilla and musk carry the final hours, resinous and close. The next morning, there's still something there.
Cultural impact
Valentina Myrrh Assoluto carved out a specific space in the Valentina line: warm, powdery, with a drydown that challenges expectations. The leather presence in the drydown is what keeps people talking about it. Worn by those who want something that moves from intimate floral to assertive resin without losing its sense of self.
The House
ValentinoValentino fragrances translate the house's haute couture spirit into bold, modern olfactive statements. Rooted in Roman heritage but with a rebellious, contemporary edge, their scents are a study in contrasts: classic yet cool, elegant yet streetwise. They're known for powerful, memorable compositions that feel both luxurious and personal.
The Creator
Olivier Cresp & Hamid Merati-KashaniCresp's signature style often features a blend of fresh, clean notes with warm, comforting accords. He's known for his masterful use of fruit notes, particularly fig and berries, which he often combines with florals and musks to create scents that are both inviting and sophist…
