Italian Rawhide

Italian Rawhide opens on an intense burst of saffron and dark, jammy raspberry sharpened by thyme, the unmistakable fruity-sweet flash that gives Tom Ford Tuscan Leather its signature. The heart of jasmine and frankincense bridges into the main event: a raw, supple, slightly smoky leather rounded by suede, amber and woody notes - the bold, almost animalic character the original is famous for. The overall mood is confident, sensual and a little dangerous. As a Perfume Parlour budget interpretation it renders the composition flatter and more 2D than the Tom Ford: the bitter, dry, intoxicating leather is tamer, the raspberry simpler, and longevity sits skin-close at a few hours rather than the 12-plus the original can post. Still, the raspberry-saffron-and-leather signature and the bold, sophisticated mood come through, making it an affordable route to the Tuscan Leather idea.