Serge Lutens 2011 EDP

U ££ Statement

De Profundis

by Christopher Sheldrake

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Serge Lutens De Profundis is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2011, created by Christopher Sheldrake. De Profundis opens with Green Notes and Chrysanthemum, settles into a heart of Violet and Plum, and dries down to a base of Soil Tincture and Incense. Serge Lutens's De Profundis carries a Statement verdict, a floral-led wear.

This is a polarising masterpiece: a hauntingly beautiful, gothic floral that's either bottled melancholy or just a fancy floral. It's not for everyone, but if you're after something truly unique and emotionally resonant, it's worth seeking out - provided you can actually find a bottle.
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  • Mysterious
  • Elegant
  • Cool
  • Sophisticated
  • Edgy
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De Profundis Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend
Topas listed
Chrysanthemum51%
Green Notes49%
Heartas listed
Violet63%
Plum37%
Baseas listed
Soil Tincture58%
Incense42%

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Fall Winter

A cool-weather scent built for the soft edges of the year. The dewy green-stem and chrysanthemum opening reads like a rain-soaked garden, so wearers reach for it on grey spring days and damp autumn afternoons; the cold, watery violet heart loses its delicacy in summer heat.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Formal
Also Works:
Date

Its introspective, gothic-floral character suits formal evenings and contemplative date wear far better than office or sport. The damp violet and incense drydown is a personal, slightly melancholic statement rather than a crowd-pleaser, so it rewards intimate settings where its emotional weight can be felt.

About

De Profundis opens with a chilling blast of photorealistic green stems and bitter chrysanthemum, like a freshly disturbed flowerbed after a downpour. This transitions into a damp, earthy violet heart, evoking a sombre, rain-soaked garden. Subtle wisps of incense weave through, adding a ceremonial depth without overpowering the green and floral core, culminating in a powdery, almost metallic finish.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with De Profundis Eau de Parfum - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements De Profundis Eau de Parfum - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom ·

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.