474 Roma Woman

Laura Biagiotti's Roma has stayed a cult favourite since 1988 for its unusual mix of tart black currant, layered jasmine and a mossy, animalic base, and No.474 goes for the more wearable end of that formula. The black currant and pink pepper opening is bright and true to the fruity-floral idea, and the jasmine heart (doubled up with jasmine sambac) gives a fair, sweetly floral middle. Where the two diverge is the drydown - Roma's oakmoss, civet and myrrh base gives it a slightly dirty, old-school depth that this dupe swaps for a much cleaner vanilla-cashmeran-guaiac wood finish. The result is prettier and more modern-smelling but noticeably less complex, and it fades to a soft vanilla musk well before the original's mossier trail would still be audible. A pleasant, easy-wearing fruity floral in its own right, just don't expect the vintage character of the real Roma.