Best Secret Obsession by Calvin Klein Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

An iconic classic in its own rite, Quelques Fleurs is a true ingenious scent of its time. The French perfumer, Robert Bienaimé, unveiled Quelques Fleurs the first true multi-floral blend ever created, in 1912.

Since then, his perfectly-balanced, refined bouquet has become modern perfumery’s peerless criterion for pure, meticulously-crafted, multi-floral accords. Prior to his bold invention, floral fragrances had been mainly singular flowers, or florals combined with various nuances of herbs and spices. Bienaimé’s singular triumph is remarkable for its secret, mythical formula. Upwards of 15,000 exemplary flowers and 250 prestigious raw materials are diligently-curated in the creation of a single ounce of perfume.

In the muggy shade of a tropical rainforest, an orchid sways seductively. Its glistening petals tremble in anticipation, inviting a passing butterfly to consummate the intimate act of pollination. Succumbing to the allure of the silken flower, the butterfly eagerly flits forward. But as it prepares to alight, the exotic bloom abruptly transforms. Delicate leaves contort into dagger-like forelegs, seizing the bug’s fragile wings. Before the butterfly can comprehend its fate, its head is devoured, crushed between the powerful jaws of the stealthy orchid mantis.

Orchid Mantis lures you into a fragrant illusion. Juicy pear, rich rose and heady jasmine entwine with basil and ylang to suggest the intense scent of orchids. This vintage style is set against the backdrop of a humid rainforest evoked by patchouli, moss, sandalwood and vetiver. An enduring musk serves as a reminder that beauty can also be beastly.

Santal takes its inspiration from a Sandalwood fragrance originally created in the 1800s which has then been given a distinctive contemporary edge.

Matilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon I, was known for her breasts (“le plus beau décolleté”) and her talent as a painter. She also hosted a celebrated 19th-century Parisian salon attended by the greatest artists and writers of her time. This namesake perfume is an olfactory salon of provocative white florals (ylang-ylang, narcissus, jasmine) given tropical succulence with passion fruit and papaya. Mathilde’s heady brightness is softened by iris and sandalwood.

Osmanthus in this perfume is harvested deep within Guilin province in China. Absolute d’Osmanthe is a modern take on the centuries old essence. The flowers bloom between October and November filling the entire valley with a dreamy fragrance. For the past 2000 years, this fragrant flower with an aroma reminiscent of apricot has been part of perfumers pallette. 

A voluptuous amber built around the formidable floral trio of magnolia, peony and Bulgarian rose. Adding spice to the headiness is nutmeg and cardamom, and the lusciousness is heightened by a custardy vanilla, with a playful wink of tangerine. Tender orange blossom further encourages the decadence. Laetitia features millesimé notes: like in fine wines and liqueurs, these are the extracts obtained from the best years of production.

Perfumer: JULIEN RASQUINET

The scent of paper and the smell of words. A tribute to the lights of Paris and its love of books. Dry woods are enlivened by a shimmer of nutmeg and cumin, meeting in a crackling flame of amber and vanilla. Two varieties of cedar are showcased: Atlas with its resinous, leathery character, and Virginia with its dry and spicy “new pencil” notes.

Perfumer: Dominique Ropion

An enigmatic leather perfume merged from captivating nuances of tuberose, orange blossom and gardenia. The wild facet of ylang ylang intertwined with the woody notes of patchouli add a sensuous tone. Frankincense and labdanum complete the leather theme. The trail left by the perfume is surprising, narcotic filled by a magnetic elegance.

Warm, spicy and friendly, this extrait summons the good and protects you from the bad. A nutty haze of coconut a-swirl with cardamom, walnut and nutmeg soon deepens with the plush lushness of jasmine and iris. Fig, richly sweet and vegetal, adds contrast, while sandalwood provides cozy, just-out-of-focus grounding that is mellow and milky.

The Jade line

Perfumer: Nathale Lorson

In this formula velvety woods meet for dark smooth coffee and take their time lounging in the spicy vetiver shade.