La Collection Rabanne: A Complete Review

About La Collection

Rabanne is doing something different – and it’s not subtle. La Collection Rabanne is a high-concept, private fragrance line. It’s elevated, considered, and – I’ve got to say – really very impressive. This was not what I was expecting. 

These eight new fragrances aren’t reinterpretations, they’re entirely new, created in collaboration with six of the most respected master perfumers in the world. Each one pulls from a specific part of Rabanne’s identity: whether it’s their Parisian flagship, a party at Monsieur Rabanne’s home, or a rebellious 1969 icon. The scents are tied to history but reimagined with a modern perspective.

Explore La Collection with Discovery Kits

Before diving into the full 125ml bottles (£235), Rabanne offers two discovery sets – perfect for experiencing the entire range at your own pace.

• Miniature Set (8 x 10ml) –  £215
• Discovery Set (8 x 2ml) –  £36, includes a £35 voucher toward a full-size bottle

These kits are a brilliant way to test how the collection wears on your skin, and which scent fits your mood and your style.

After Club

Perfumer: Aurélien Guichard (Takasago)

My Take

This is one of my favorites in the lineup. After Club opens with a cool, calm lavender. It’s relaxing and comforting. But what makes it special is the vanilla and ambery base. There’s a juxtaposition here: it feels like it’s in motion, still humming from the party, but also like it wants to just sink into the couch and take a breath. It’s sensual, it’s warm, it’s confident.

Rabanne’s Description

Inspired by Monsieur Rabanne’s legendary after-parties, this scent blends silver and gold vanillas with cool white lavender, animalic labdanum, and a bespoke amber accord. Think of a mirror ball shimmering till dawn.

Mesh Metal

Perfumer: Fanny Bal

My Take

This one’s going to be huge. Mesh Metal kicks off with a punch of zesty lime – fresh, bright, attention-grabbing. Then, it rolls into a salty, woody base that gives it real movement and texture. It’s inspired by Rabanne’s iconic mesh fabric, and you can feel that fluidity. This is your daily driver – fresh, wearable, bold without being overpowering.

Rabanne’s Description

A dazzling metallic citrus that fuses with the skin. Lime meets verdant lentiscus and petitgrain bigarade (orange leaf), followed by orange blossom absolute and a salty ambergris accord. It’s vegetal, sharp, and slick.

Silver Skin

Perfumer: Fabrice Pellegrin (DSM-Firmenich)

My Take

Silver Skin feels like a second skin. It’s soft and light at first, with that gentle iris and ambrox blend. But then it hits you with a little sweetness – vanilla, benzoin – and a weight that makes it linger longer than you’d expect. It’s minimal, it’s clean, but it still leaves a mark. Think of it like a well-cut white tee –  effortless, but polished.

Rabanne’s Description

This reimagines the iconic Rabanne chain-mail dress in scent form. Iris pallida, aldehydes, and the Hivernal molecule deliver a fresh metallic twist, while sweet benzoin, gourmand vanilla, and ambrox create warm contrast.

Midnight Sex

Perfumer:  Véronique Nyberg (Mane)

My Take

Midnight Sex is pure luxury holiday energy. You’ve spent all day in the sun, your skin’s slightly warm and tanned, and you’re just heading out for the night. It’s coconut pulp and tuberose, with an orange blossom glow, resting on sandalwood. It’s sexy, soft, golden. Like stepping out of a warm shower and into a crisp shirt.

Rabanne’s Description

A “solar bomb” of absolute tuberose, orange blossom, and natural coconut pulp. Wrapped in sandalwood oil with leathery, balsamic undertones. Think midnight radiance.

Rose 1969

Perfumer: Christophe Raynaud (Givaudan)

My Take

This is how you do a rose – not too powdery, not too clean. The rose is there, but it’s paired with black pepper and patchouli, giving it a bite. There’s a romantic edge, but it’s grounded. I’d wear this for date night or a cool evening out. It’s confident, not delicate. It’s rose with backbone.

Rabanne’s Description

An homage to Calandre and the 1969 bag. A silky lychee accord, flamboyant Damask rose, set ablaze with black pepper and dusky patchouli, finished with a modern amber accord using Ambrofix.

Night Soul

Perfumer: Aurélien Guichard (Takasago)

My Take

This one feels spiritual, but not in a soft way – more like a deep, grounded freedom. Inspired by Rabanne’s 1980s nightclub, it opens with palo santo, and you get sandalwood, cedar, tonka bean – smooth, blended, woody warmth. It’s late-night, low lights, deep thoughts.

Rabanne’s Description

Inspired by the Black Sugar nightclub. Starts with palo santo, layered with sandalwood, tonka bean, and a creamy fig accord. A blend for endless Parisian nights.

Armure Mara

Perfumer: Aliénor Massenet (Symrise) 

My Take

Armure Mara is so interesting – real strawberry, like bright and juicy, but not childish. It’s natural and vibrant. Then you get the jasmine, the patchouli, and it becomes this really wearable, confident scent. Feels fresh, but with attitude. I can see this becoming a sleeper hit.

Rabanne’s Description

Inspired by Rabanne’s metallic armors, with a 100% natural strawberry extract, velvety jasmine, and empowering patchouli, wrapped in Bourbon vanilla. Feminine power reimagined for now.

Oud Montaigne

Perfumer: Fabrice Pellegrin (DSM-Firmenich)

My Take

If I had to pick one scent to sum up Parisian luxury, this would be it. It’s oud, but softened with this boozy plum, cedar, santal. There’s richness, but it’s still wearable. It feels dressed-up, powerful, tailored.

Rabanne’s Description

Evokes Rabanne’s Avenue Montaigne flagship store. Features plum, cardamom, black oud, and a liqueur of davana, with sandalwood and cedar creating the trail. A true meeting of East and West.