Club Couture

The Verdict

Valentino Club Couture, crafted by perfumers Carlos Benaim and Andrew Everett for the Anatomy of Dreams collection in 2024, bridges the worlds of haute couture ateliers and vibrant nightlife. The fragrance takes the unlikely pairing of green fig and dark patchouli and fashions it into something genuinely chic and wearable. As Everett has described, the intention was for wearers to feel energized, super elegant, with a sense of joy.

At its core, Club Couture is a modern chypre that respects tradition while embracing contemporary tastes. The fig-forward heart gives it personality and warmth, while the patchouli and cedar base ground it with the woody depth that chypre lovers expect. With strong longevity and a character that shifts compellingly from bright citrus to lush fig to woody warmth, this is a fragrance that tells a complete story.

What It Smells Like

The opening is an exuberant burst of citrus. Bergamot, bitter orange, and mandarin arrive together in a bright, zesty wave that immediately lifts the spirits. This is a confident, cheerful opening that announces the fragrance's presence without being aggressive. The citrus notes feel natural and well-blended, with the bitter orange adding a sophisticated edge.

As the top notes recede, the fig accord takes center stage alongside orange blossom and orris. The fig here is green and pulpy rather than jammy or overripe, giving the heart a fresh, modern quality. Orange blossom adds a creamy white floral facet, while orris contributes powdery refinement. This middle phase is where Club Couture finds its stride, balancing fruitiness with floral elegance.

The base settles into a classic chypre foundation. Patchouli brings its characteristic earthy darkness, cedar provides structural dryness, and musk softens everything into a warm, inviting finish. The patchouli here is smooth and well-integrated rather than loud or aggressive, complementing the fig that still lingers faintly from the heart.

When to Wear It

Club Couture excels during transitional seasons. Spring and fall provide the ideal temperatures for this fragrance to perform at its best, with the citrus freshness shining in warmer moments and the woody base providing warmth when temperatures drop. Social gatherings, semi-formal events, and weekend outings are its strongest contexts.

The fragrance also works well for after-work occasions where you want to transition from professional to social without changing your scent. Its energetic yet refined character bridges both worlds effectively.

Longevity & Projection

Club Couture delivers strong performance with 8-10 hours of longevity reported by multiple reviewers. The initial projection is bold, with the citrus top notes carrying well in the air around the wearer. As the fragrance settles into its fig heart and woody base, it becomes more intimate, creating a pleasant sillage that draws people in rather than broadcasting across a room. This progression from bold opening to personal drydown is well-suited to social settings.

The Community Says

The fragrance community has received Club Couture positively as part of the Anatomy of Dreams collection. Reviewers consistently praise the fig-patchouli pairing as modern and chic, with the green fig providing freshness that prevents the patchouli from feeling heavy or dated. The collection as a whole has been described as flipping expectations about haute perfumery. Some reviewers note that the transitions between the bright citrus opening and the lush fig heart can feel somewhat abrupt, though the overall arc of the fragrance is considered well-constructed.

Who Should Buy This

Club Couture is best suited for fragrance enthusiasts who appreciate fruity-chypre compositions with genuine sophistication. If you enjoy the interplay between fresh fruit and dark woods, and you are looking for a fragrance that moves from energetic to elegant over the course of a day, this delivers that experience convincingly. Its unisex character makes it accessible to anyone drawn to its fig-forward profile.

The Bottom Line

Valentino Club Couture is a well-executed modern chypre that succeeds in its ambitious goal of merging haute couture refinement with the vibrancy of a night out. Strong longevity, a distinctive fig-patchouli heart, and a joyful citrus opening make it a compelling choice for those seeking sophistication with personality.