NEW FRAGANCE REVIEW: Judith Leiber Topaz “Oriental Streamline”

If 2011 has been a colossal failure in Celebrity Fragrance it has been the opposite when it comes to Designer Branded Fragrance. It’s the stars of the catwalk which have been surprising me all year long. One of those that surprised me was Judith Leiber Night which was released in the Spring. Night was a well-executed Oriental with little surprising to it but well-constructed. It was as sleek as a Judith Leiber handbag.

When Senior Editor Ida Meister attended the recent Sniffapalooza Fall Ball I asked her if she had a chance to try the new Fall release Judith Leiber Topaz. She told me she’d go one better and send me an extra sample she got. Once again I was met with another well-executed Oriental but this time Topaz takes a few more risks and in my opinion comes up with an even better fragrance than Night was.

The perfumer behind Topaz is Hugh Spencer the chief perfumer at Spenarome. Mr. Spencer clearly has an understanding of the designer he was creating a fragrance for. Topaz works from an opulent oud base which is adorned with fruity floral bling. Bright explosive notes on top of a luxurious material describe a Judith Leiber Streamline handbag and the Streamline inspired fragrance Topaz.

Mr. Spencer chooses bergamot and a tropical mix of kiwi and mango along with cassis for the top notes. This is a very fruity beginning but it is kept from becoming too sweet as a ration of incense adds needed contrast. As Topaz moves into the heart Mr. Spencer uses jasmine as the central floral note and then uses the metallic character of lily of the valley and violet leaves to again tamp down the sweeter aspects of jasmine. The ionones also add a bit of an edge to the middle part of the development that was pleasant and enjoyable.  The base is mostly a triptych of woods with the aforementioned oud taking the lead. Cedar and sandalwood add cleanliness and smoothness respectively. There is a touch of musk as well in the base but in my experience it was the woods which dominated the dry down.

Judith Leiber Topaz has above average longevity and average sillage.

After failing with the first Judith Leiber branded fragrance it now seems that the designer has found a fragrance formula worthy of the spectacular accessories she produces. Where Night was good but unoriginal; Topaz has now started to exhibit a greater sense of risk taking. I think any woman who would carry a Judith Leiber handbag would also be delighted to be wafting Topaz on whatever red carpet she is walking.

Disclosure: This review was based on a sample from Sniffapalooza Fall Ball 2011.

Mark Behnke, Managing Editor

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2 comments

  • I have not smelled her first one but I must admit except for reading the review Cafelurebon had on it, I have heard nothing about it since. No buzz at all. I am a vintage Leiber bag collector so I am always intrigued about her fragrances. At your suggestion I do believe I will hunt down a sample and haft it the next time I wear one of her gorgeous bags. She is an artist!

  • I too received a sample at Sniifa and thought the scent well done. Subsequently, I tracked down the bottle when it was released and found gorgeous. So what’s not to like? A step up from the first (which was solid). Maybe the third (and I do hope there will be a third) will be the charm.