Private Collection

I have a little vintage bottle of this from the 70's, so it might smell a little different from a newer bottle. It smells like an older department store perfume, but not quite as gaudy. It's a bit floral and resin like. A bit earthy and woody. Overall it's pretty nice, but not a favorite. It is long lasting and you only need a small amount, so a little bottle will go a long way.

well, for the 50 years it is around this perfume is known to me for I guess, 40 years and is has never been out of my collection. this morning spritzing it on out of a[n] (I guess) ca. 2000s bottle the first thing I smelled were the flowers and without peering I smelled a Lily-like scent but let that just be the one that isn't in the composition... this perfume did always have a certain Chic because of ... and I try to answer this question now once and for all. if I smell an Orchard full of flowers it is almost done for me and yes I shall buy a full flacon. I think now the Linden Blossom, Hyacinth, Orange blossom and the Green Notes draw the first whiff of flowers toward a kind of Chypre perfume. but that is also achieved with the following rare Flowers and notes. Chrysanthemum, which I love, although they have a kind of dusty and fairly Green smell, with the fruits of which I guess I smell the sourness, Oakmoss, Patchouli and Amber, Coriander and around to the Linden Blossom again, the start is quite unusual and fabulously exceptional. I guess you can smell its awkward position in the perfume sociology. the Heady Hitters Rose, Ylang, Narcissus, Honeysuckle and Jasmine take care of the following load of very sweet and present pleasantery. the perfume comes out of its Chypricity toward a Meadow kind of vibe, an Orchard, Guirlandes of Flowers and Fruits (also Pear, not to dissect from what is wonderfully blended) and finally seek and find an interesting place to lay down and abide. (Amber, Musk, Patchouli, Cedar, Sandelwood and for a last Kickdown the Heliotrope.) yet as abidant as strident, as a Perfume does, like a Clôche of Poshness and Exceptionality. what it is that takes this perfume apart is that it is an obvious Perfume-y Perfume, smelling as well cosmetic as like an Elixir. I had the perfume once and it had exactly the same characteristics. Estée Lauder is just one of the best Houses around. this is one of many exquise perfumes with which you won't resemble nothing nor nobody but yourself, only better and with more Hauteté. (later) this is a fantastic perfume. just to remind me again how it was and is, I spritzed some Eau de Private Collection (1980s) on my arm, while I had this perfume in the nice Amphora-like fiol. (I still have this flacon with glass stopper, something I rarely do, Hoard empty bottles.) so the perfume from 1973 is very much like the later 'Eau de', and its origins are well explained by the previous 'revieweuse' The_Perfumed_Perspective. of course this is a famous Chypre and it strikes me how soft it has become. it is almost exactly as the perfume then was, which you had to dab to the pulse to be Tele- Transported into another world. I always thought about this 'Private Collection' of mrs. Estée Lauder. a kind of reclusivity, a 'Jardin Clôs'. and the more so with the Chrysanthemum and 'Reseda' (Mignonette ? as I learned from the review of The_Perfumed_ Perspective. yes, Mignonette appears to be the Reseda Odorata, upon further search.) whereas the Linden Blossom, the Green Notes, Hyacinth, Oakmoss and Honeysuckle may also contribute to this feeling of a Jardinière, an Orchard full with little Herbs and big, Glamorous Flowers as Roses, Jasmine, Heliotrope, Orange Blossom, Hyacinths, Ylang Ylang etc. so this is a Flowery Chypre with enough Oakmoss and Patchouli to match. what strikes is the richness of the ingredients and the Time Capsule Effect it has when spritzed on again. I would say there isn't even that much difference between the 'Eau de', the Private Collection Fragrance (1973) and the Perfume (1973). the only austerity I perceive is possibly in the knowledge that this has been a personal perfume for Estée Lauder and likely the inclusion of the Chrysanthemum. Cedar, Sandelwood, Patchouli, Oakmoss and Coriander plus of course the 'Green Notes' make this an Abundant Green Floral and herein severely sophisticated perfume.

Enchanting! Definitely top 5 perfumes of all time. I wear it for evening specials occasions with oud (not perfume or oil just high quality oud wood chips burning on coal). The oud really complements the scent making it heavy and luxurious but also very green. It smells like a rich charismatic calm old lady wearing dark red lipstick and expensive jewels who walks and talks slowly and gracefully (in the absolute best way possible)

I am not quite sure if this one holds very long on my skin but what a masterpiece. This is what I immagine Romy Scheider to wear in La Piscine, which would be impossible at the time

Maybe my favorite from this house. You can smell the flowers with a spicy woody twist. This is master piece I’d say.

The origin story is the argument. Private Collection was not created for the market. Estée Lauder wore it herself and kept it private — a fragrance made for the founder’s personal use that was only released publicly in 1973 when enough people asked what she was wearing that it became commercially irresistible. The name is therefore literal rather than aspirational. This was the woman’s private collection of a self, distilled into scent, and the decision to release it is itself a kind of vulnerability — an admission that what she wore when nobody was supposed to be paying attention was more interesting than anything she had put into production. The opening is galbanum and green — sharp, slightly resinous, the specific brightness of a leaf torn open rather than a flower held up for admiration. Honeysuckle, linden and orange blossom soften it in the top notes without eliminating the green character that defines the fragrance’s personality. The heart is Bulgarian rose, chrysanthemum, reseda, ylang-ylang and coriander — a floral complex that is simultaneously abundant and contained, the rose present without being romantic, the chrysanthemum adding a slightly austere, almost Japanese quality. The base is sandalwood, heliotrope, amber and musk — warm and rooted, the green sharpness of the opening having descended into something quieter by the time it settles. The community comparison is consistently to Chanel No. 19 — which arrived in 1970 and is the decade’s other great green chypre — and the comparison is structurally accurate. Both are green, both are serious, both wear in the register of a woman who does not explain herself. Private Collection is warmer than No. 19, slightly less austere in its green quality, less challenging to modern noses. Where No. 19 has the architectural coldness of a Karajan conductor, Private Collection has the warmth of a woman who knows the music by heart and plays it for herself. This is the fragrance Estée Lauder wore when she wasn’t performing. The performance was everything else she made. Private Collection is what she smelled like when she was only herself, which is why it belongs in a collection that wants to understand what the house was actually built on.

(Comparison of the Parfum Cologne Spray (EdP), referred to as PC below, and Parfum Spray (extrait), referred to as PS below, both c. 1990) Something about Vincent Marcello has always intrigued me more than any other perfumer. It’s certainly to do with him being an enigma in his time almost as much as he is now (presumably he’s long passed). Incredible talent, rakish good looks, and, as far as we are aware - which must be emphasized, he only signed three perfumes, but they are three legends, and all three sit very highly on my list of all time favorites. (Four if you count the Halston twins separately, but even his involvement in both is dubious). One of them was Private Collection, but we the masses very nearly didn’t get the chance to experience it. This incredible nose signed a perfume that was intended to be solely for Estee Lauder’s personal use, for her private collection, and thusly its name when she was finally persuaded to release it commercially, if the story is to be believed. Imagine that? - Being a perfumer of his talent that only publicly signed three perfumes, one of which wasn’t going to be public at all? - Was this actually his career? - How could you make a career of three perfumes? - Or was he just an absurdly gifted hobbyist? Color me intrigued, very intrigued, by this character. One day I’ll put in some real investigative effort to reach out to those who know better, but for today I am enjoying the company of “two different concentrations” of Private Collection. Estee Lauder’s penchant for odd concentration-naming conventions considered, there is not much of a difference between both of these and it shows. There are a couple marked differences but that’s it. PC’s opening is super green galbanum and sharp hyacinth made a pale green color rather than neon green; the cold white floral facet of hyacinth adding white to the green of galbanum. PS is full-on neon electric green. The hyacinth and galbanum are sharp and vivid, fully leaning into the green character, and notably richer and saturated compared to the PC. Rather quickly in both a very delicate and sweet narcissus and rose combo slowly blooms from underneath, which is more apparent in the PS. This combo lying just underneath the vivid greens and whites is a bit fruity-floral-honeyed, and heart-wrenchingly gorgeous. The heart layer shifts the focus solely on the hyacinth, narcissus, and rose, with PS being noticeably headier, and a touch sweeter by really pushing the narcissus. The floral hearts of both don’t shy away from the muskiness of any of the floral notes. After this layer dispenses in both, which very nearly happens in the same timeframe, they both swell with oakmoss and musks, and are gently touched with sandalwood. There they stay for the rest of their very long lives on skin. PS goes slightly darker and deeper by emphasizing the balsams a bit more but this could be forgivably missed. Allow me a moment to nerd-out on a little detail: the PS, Parfum (Extrait) Spray, has one of the best atomizers I have ever used. A very gentle and very tiny push releases the perfume for nearly two full seconds, creating an ultra fine mist that superiorly and evenly coats my skin. This is one of the little things that made Estee Lauder great in these days. With their mandate of making beautiful perfumes affordable to all, they knew that the working class was not going to put up with dodgy atomizers, like the bourgeoise-buying-French would, when they are spending their hard earned dollars on a luxury item, especially a more expensive one like an extrait, so they made sure it worked flawlessly. Ok, thank you for that, now back to the Parfum Cologne and the Parfum. Well, actually, what more do I want to say? I don’t know. Flawless, perhaps? Maybe the best perfume to come out of the 70s? As far as the classic greens of the 70s go, I am a No. 19 devotee; she will have my unconditional and enduring love for the entirety of my life, but Private Collection tempts adultery. I can see why Estee Lauder didn’t want to share this with anyone. I can easily be the jealous type too.

I’d love this if it wasn’t so powdery.

I hadnt smelled this since the 80s,and recently purchased a bottle.yaaaay!it is as complex and as green as I remember!

There are a plethora of floral notes listed for Estée Lauder's Private Collection, all the usual suspects, ...and none are particularly important. For when you think about about this fragrance, it is not flowers you will consider, but the greenness of leaves. To be sure, Private Collection. smells significantly sharper and brighter green than an average green leaf. Muddle and sniff a leaf from any random nearby privet or oak and compare for yourself. The actual prominent green notes found here seem to be galbanum and chrysanthem, the latter technically a green-floral, but let's not quibble. Private Collection is one of a number of green-floral scents that came out in the 1970s, Halston and Chanel No. 19 being two icons of the style. Indeed, it is likely the success of No. 19 inspired Estée to consider releasing her own private green blend to the (upscale) masses (...that is if ad-copy tales are to be believed). So do I recommend vintage Private Collection? ...Yes, it's refreshing to sniff on a blotter and would be bracingly wearable for a day when one wants to cut down on sweets.

This is one of the finest experiences I have ever had in the world of perfumes. It’s like immersing your nose in a chrysanthemum (accord), with a photorealism that is beyond imagination. The characteristic powdery quality of the fragrance evokes the textured sensation of pollen lingering on your nose. Nostalgic, extremely refined, a masterpiece. I recommend making sure you actually own the original “private collection” version rather than its updated “eau de private collection,” which is decidedly superior. I don’t yet feel ready to write a full review given the complexity of this work, but I will do so soon.

All the most green things I can think of are here. Wonderful. Nostalgic.

It feels like confidence with sharp, discerning eyes — vintage at heart yet eternally refined. It carries the grace of another era, where elegance was......

I picked up a vintage bottle of this at an estate sale. Research suggests the bottle was from 1978. It is the 2 oz bottle like in the main picture on here but it is a dabber and not a spray. The box still had an old price tag from Neiman Marcus for $27. This is truly lovely. I'm not usually drawn to green fragrances as they come off as synthetic on my skin. This really surprised me. The opening is slightly sharp and soapy but the sharpness fades very quickly. It smells fresh, creamy, green, floral and not synthetic at all.

Im really Surprised!!! 1 perfume holds both Torment & Disgust In One Bottle !! If u wear this in any occasion anytime trust me everyone will be terrified as long as u stay their ! Im surely gonna look for this one asap 🫶🏻🫶🏻

I sprayed it on a test strip at Ulta. Just letting people know that you can sample it there. Caught me by surprise. Smells strong and dated. Maybe some day I will be brave enough to try it on skin.

I'm so surprised and not in a good way! I just got a new bottle of Private Collection in the box, in plastic wrap and it's hideous!! Instant headache. It must have been reformulated? It used to be my favorite it was kind of quiet and low-key, but now it just screams! It's got that terrible note that you find in Jovan musks. I thought I would be safe with an old friend, I'm so disappointed and I got a big new bottle.Depths of disappointment.

I have been cherishing a 30 ml bottle of Private Collection Tuberose-Gardenia (2007) for years now. It's about time I got my hands on the original Private Collection (1973). It has received rave reviews from all sides. My bottle is an aged vintage formula. A standout in Lauder's repertoire: the marketing around this perfume alleges that it was originally developed for Ms. Lauder herself, and was launched to the perfume-buying public at a later date. Based entirely on the scent profile, the marketing claim might have validity. The '70s saw a major chypre revival, but these newly launched chypres were usually dramatic departures, using bold, new synthetics. Private Collection isn't conjuring images of Halston, Aromatics Elixir, or Givenchy III; rather F. Milot's Crepe de Chine and vintage Vol de Nuit. This anachronistic release doesn't smell quite like either of them, but it's precisely the style of chypre floral that ancient houses like Coty, Corday, Houbigant, Caron, and Guerlain were making and selling during the jazz age. Hay-like, grassy herbal notes, yellow flowers, galbanum, powdery iris roots, moss, and heliotrope. I'm assuming the artificial honeyed amber note in the base is a more recent material, but it works surprisingly well with this DNA. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend '73 Private Collection. This perfume is standout, genuinely smells like nothing else on the market.

This is Romy Schneider in La Piscine

I get overpowering coriander at first, but it does dry down to something really nice. I like it a lot.

Sharp, lush green. Like a cold, well-kept garden on an estate. Very pleasant, would be great in spring or early summer, definitely cuts through!

Oh my god this is beautiful. I can not analyse it properly because it is so full of memories from the 80`s. I used to work in a posh clothing store and my super stylish older colleague wore Private Collection every day. I fell in love with it (not the colleague!). I bought it, used it and then forgot it for decades. Now I finally repurchased it and yes, it is still good. It is very distinctive, interesting and complex. Definitely worth a try.

Mix knowing and white linen from same house...and just splash a bit chanel no19.. then you will get dupe for estee lauder private collection. Perhaps not the same thing but you will feels the vibes this gems...💕

Private Collection opens aggressively green, with galbanum and a vivid, grassy note that’s different from the hexenol used in modern “grass” perfumes. Then the floral heart comes out, softly rosy and white-floral (I guessed gardenia, turns out it’s jasmine). It’s mussed up with plenty of oakmoss and what I thought was vetiver, though it’s not listed in the notes; the florals are viewed through a hazy gray-green soft focus. This is the kind of ladylike yet rumpled scent you imagine on someone who has a country house and likes gardening or horseback riding. A nice example of the 70’s-green-chypre genre; tamer than, say, Halston, but pleasantly outdoorsy in a wholesome preppy style.

Smells like body odor

The original Private Collection smells legendary. It's the dark, quiet side of spring, wet mossy green and damp earth but with bright floralcy. Funeral flowers and April burials and death and resurrection. It's one of the most perfect showcases for the dark side of spring, a clever season of mortality hidden by gossamer pastels and marshmallow candies and white shoes. But you don't fool me, Spring! Private Collection speaks to that dark/light contrast by being floral yet brooding, elegant, and formal. Avoid overspray, though, because it's powerful, best applied in a whisper, the whisper of elegant ladies at a wake on a warm spring evening. Not something to wear every day, maybe not wearable at all except as a lure to draw old memories out of hiding.

I have a tiny vintage splash of this that was my great grandmother’s. My 2 year old wanted to smell it because she thought the bottle was cute. I couldn’t remember what it smelled like and I was blown away by how pleasant it was! The mossy greenness is so soft and just smells amazing with the rich natural-smelling florals. Reminds me a little bit of carnal flower in that way. I’m curious how the current version is, I might have to pick some up for next spring.

The opening of this perfume is rather pleasant since it revolves around lemon, bergamot and orange blossom. Then a slight woody/earthy side arrives. It is also quite powdery. It smells a bit like a body lotion and even though that's not my style at all, I find myself liking it, probably thanks to that citrus/orange blossom note that I really like in perfumery. Quite nice !

i am testing from a vintage bottle. it opens very green, mossy and woody with green bitter florals. i get a tiny hint of amber softening things, way in the back. i think narcissus, oakmoss, sandalwood and cedar are quite prominent for me. the bitter edges get a bit softened over time, but overall i just find this a bit too green for me. it gives me a slight headache. i think this would be beautiful on someone else.

Why oh why do they keep changing formulations? This current Private Collection does not have the luscious body of the late 80s, early 90s version. If it's not broken, don't fix it! Still lovely, but not the same