Faces of Francis by Vilhelm Parfumerie is a unisex Oriental Vanilla fragrance launched in 2023, created by perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour . Mysterious, textural, and quietly provocative, the composition explores contrasts—polished brightness against shadowy depth—resulting in a scent that feels both intellectual and sensual.
The fragrance opens with saffron and aldehydes, creating a striking introduction that is at once warm and luminous. Saffron adds leathery-spiced richness, while aldehydes lend a clean, abstract glow that sharpens the opening with modern elegance.
In the heart, an unexpected blend of pistachio, driftwood, and juniper unfolds. Pistachio introduces a subtle, creamy nuttiness, driftwood brings a salty, weathered woodiness, and juniper adds a crisp, aromatic freshness—together forming a distinctive, contemporary core.
The base is deep, smoky, and resonant, composed of oud, styrax, ambergris, vetiver, and cypriol oil (nagarmotha). Oud and cypriol add dark, earthy intensity, styrax contributes balsamic warmth, ambergris enhances diffusion with mineral sensuality, and vetiver grounds the composition with refined dryness.
Faces of Francis is complex, modern, and evocative—a fragrance that reveals different facets over time, lingering with depth, character, and quiet confidence.
Top Notes: Saffron, Aldehydes
Middle Notes: Pistachio, Driftwood, Juniper
Base Notes: Oud, Styrax, Ambergris, Vetiver, Cypriol Oil (Nagarmotha)