Van Cleef & Arpels 1999 EDT

F ££ Statement

Birmane

by Richard Herpin

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Van Cleef & Arpels Birmane is an Eau de Toilette launched in 1999, created by Richard Herpin. Birmane opens with Bergamot, Lemon, Rosewood, and Pineapple, settles into a heart of Rose, Heliotrope, and Orchid, and dries down to a base of Musk, Sandalwood, Vanilla, and Tonka Bean. Van Cleef & Arpels's Birmane carries a Statement verdict, a sweet-led wear.

Birmane is either a creamy, sophisticated oriental dream or a dusty, suffocating floral nightmare, depending on who you ask. This vintage beauty is a true chameleon, loved by many for its unique blend but a blind buy risk all the same.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Sophisticated
  • Elegant
  • Warm
  • Cozy
  • Classic
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Birmane Eau de Toilette bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

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
Long (6-10h)
Projection
Strong
Intensity
Strong

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Fall Winter
Also Works:
Summer

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Date Casual Formal
Also Works:
Office

Birmane's elegant, soft projection makes it suitable for office wear, though its sweet oriental character shines brightest on dates and formal events. Its comforting yet refined nature also works well for casual yet upscale settings.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

Other declarable allergens

  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Sandalwood Santalol from Sandalwood
  • Synthetic musk Hexamethylindanopyran from Musk
  • Vanillin from Vanilla

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Opening with a juicy burst of pineapple and zesty lemon, buoyed by the subtle warmth of rosewood, Birmane quickly transitions to a blooming heart. Delicate rose, ethereal orchid, and powdery heliotrope intertwine, leading into a creamy, comforting base of sweet vanilla, tonka bean, and soft sandalwood, all wrapped in a gentle musk.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

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

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Birmane Eau de Toilette - 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.