Quick answers
History
Reflets d'ambre was born of Ciel de Gum, created in 2013 for the GUM department store in Moscow. Francis Kurkdjian imagined an amber accord diffracted like light passing through a prism, broken into reflections.
The opening burst of pink pepper turns into an airy floral heart with jasmin accents, before a slightly leathery amber. The generosity of vanilla, the warmth of labdanum and the depth of patchouli feed this base with its sensual sillage.
Relaunched as Reflets d'ambre (a Harrods exclusive in 2024, then folded into the My VIP collection in 2025), the composition is a reformulated reissue, lighter, more floral and softer. The house does not officially document this link: Reflets d'ambre is born of Ciel de Gum without being its exact copy.
Fragrance notes
Here are the notes of Reflets d'ambre, from the pink pepper on top to the animalic amber base.
From sparkling pink pepper to leathery amber, Reflets d'ambre keeps a luminous transparency despite the depth of its base.
Scent profile
Reflets d'ambre opens on a burst of pink pepper, sparkling and slightly rosy, which gives the amber its prismatic quality, like a ray broken into reflections.
The floral heart catches the light: jasmin grandiflorum brings an airy transparency that lightens the composition and moves it away from a massive amber. This is where the reformulated version stands apart, more floral and softer.
The base sets a slightly leathery amber, animalic without being heavy: vanilla gives it generosity, labdanum its resinous warmth, patchouli its woody depth. Solid longevity, sensual sillage: a floral amber for evenings and the cool season, more caressing than dramatic.
"An amber accord diffracted like light passing through a prism, a burst of pink pepper turned into an airy floral heart."Maison Francis Kurkdjian, press kit
Key characteristics
When and where to wear
Reflets d'ambre is a floral amber for evenings, lighter than the most opulent ambers. Its leathery warmth and jasmin heart make it a scent for evenings and the cool season, pleasant in shoulder weather; its reformulation makes it easier to wear than many ambers.
How to wear it
Seasonal fit
| Season | Fit | Critical notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | ★★★☆ | The floral heart makes it pleasant in shoulder weather. |
| Summer | ★★☆☆ | The leathery amber weighs a little in the heat. |
| Autumn | ★★★★ | The ideal season for this floral amber. |
| Winter | ★★★★ | Its leathery warmth unfolds fully. |
Context fit
| Context | Fit | Wear recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Office | ★★☆☆ | An amber a touch present for a shared space. |
| Everyday | ★★★☆ | Its lighter version makes it wearable day to day. |
| Evening | ★★★★ | Its home ground. |
| Formal events | ★★★★ | A dressed floral amber, at ease at night. |
Similar perfumes
Reflets d'ambre's floral amber speaks with other sensual ambers and florals, one of them another My VIP.
| Perfume | House · year | Why it is close |
|---|---|---|
| Absolue Pour le Soir | Maison Francis Kurkdjian · 2010 | The house's other My VIP amber, darker and more animalic. |
| Ambre Russe | Parfum d'Empire · 2005 | A spicy, boozy amber, more dramatic. |
| Portrait of a Lady | Frédéric Malle · 2010 | An ambery rose with patchouli, the same dressed sensuality. |
Frequently asked questions
See also
Sources
- Maison Francis Kurkdjian, official press kit (2025) and Reflets d'ambre product page
- franciskurkdjian.com
- YouTube, 70: longevity and sillage reading
- YouTube, FragranceView: longevity and sillage reading