Women's Perfume Essens W153 — a Fragrance Inspired by Dolce & Gabbana L'Impératrice

A floral-fruity fragrance — light, sparkling and truly feminine

🏛️ The Legend of Dolce & Gabbana L’Impératrice

The fragrance appeared in 2009 and instantly became a symbol of lightness and summer mood. The composition was created by the famous perfumer Nathalie Lorson, a master perfumer at Firmenich, the author of Black Opium, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb and Escada Desire Me. She did not work exclusively for D&G, but it was her talent that made L’Impératrice one of the brand’s most recognizable fragrances.

🌸 The fragrance pyramid. Top notes are kiwi, rhubarb and pink pepper. The heart is watermelon, cyclamen and jasmine. The base is musk, sandalwood and lemon tree. Kiwi and watermelon are exactly what make the fragrance recognizable. Watermelon is a rare and complex note in perfumery, and L’Impératrice is considered one of the best «watermelon» fragrances on the market. And rhubarb with pink pepper give that very tartness and piquancy that distinguishes the «Empress» from dozens of other fruity-floral compositions.

🎬 The face of the campaign. The face of L’Impératrice became Naomi Campbell, not just a model but a supermodel, the «empress» of the runway. The advertising campaign for the Anthology collection was shot by Mario Testino, one of the most influential fashion photographers in the world. Testino’s idea was that celebrities are photographed nude, the fragrances «merge with the skin» so much that clothing is superfluous. The campaign also featured Eva Herzigova and Claudia Schiffer.

How it sounds and wears. «Watermelon fresh with kiwi and rhubarb settling on clean musk and sandalwood» is a recognizable description. The start is juicy, sweet and sour, with the piquancy of pink pepper. In the heart is watery watermelon with delicate cyclamen and jasmine, almost «cold». The base is clean, musky-woody, with a light citrus tartness of lemon tree. Concentration is Eau de Toilette, not Parfum, which is exactly why the fragrance is so light and fresh. Longevity 4–6 hours, moderate sillage. Fragrantica rating is 3.81 out of 5 with 19,400+ votes.

⏳ The line. L’Impératrice has spawned several flankers. L’Imperatrice Limited Edition (2020, with strawberry, peony and magnolia) and L’Imperatrice Royale (with cranberry and apple). The 2009 original remains the reference point and the best-selling fragrance of the Anthology collection.

🔮 Tarot Cards and the Anthology Collection

L'Impératrice became part of the D&G Anthology collection, consisting of five fragrances. Each of them was dedicated to a Tarot card. The entire line is built on the philosophy of the Major Arcana, where each perfume represents its own card and its own character.

Five fragrances and five cards — Le Bateleur 1 (The Magician), L'Impératrice 3 (The Empress), L'Amoureaux 6 (The Lovers), La Roue de la Fortune 10 (Wheel of Fortune) and La Lune 18 (The Moon).

The name L'Impératrice translates as "The Empress" and refers to the third card of the Major Arcana of the Tarot. This card symbolizes growth, sensuality, creativity and abundance. That is why the fragrance sounds so joyful, bright and truly feminine. The Tarot cards here are not just a marketing move, but the very philosophical basis on which the entire collection was built.

📖 The Story of Four Notes

Watermelon — a symbol of summer, juiciness and refreshment. Its homeland is considered to be South Africa, where the wild ancestors of the modern watermelon grew in the Kalahari Desert. In perfumery, watermelon is valued for its watery freshness and light sweetness without being cloying. In the W153 fragrance, it opens the composition with a bright burst, like the first sip of cold juice on a hot day.

Kiwi — an exotic fruit native to China, where it was called "monkey peach". It only reached Europe in the 20th century and quickly gained popularity. In perfumery, kiwi sounds sweet and sour, with a light tropical tartness. This note adds sparkling energy and a youthful mood to the fragrance.

Cyclamen — a delicate flower with velvety petals, called "alpine violet" in Europe. It blooms in early spring, breaking through the snow, and symbolizes rebirth. In perfumery, cyclamen sounds soft, slightly sweet, with a powdery trail. It is what makes the heart of the composition feminine and touching.

Musk — a note that has been considered the foundation of sensuality in perfumery for centuries. Natural musk was obtained from the glands of the musk deer, but modern perfumery uses its synthetic analogues, which are safe and lasting. In the W153 fragrance, musk works as a warm velvety trail — it envelops the skin and makes the fragrance truly "your own".

👤 The Woman of W153

She enters the room and the air becomes lighter. Her energy is contagious and her smile disarming. She is not afraid to be bright, yet remains refined. Her style is a balance between boldness and elegance.

She can be anyone — a traveler, a creative person, a business lady. But she has one common trait. She loves life in all its manifestations. For her, fragrance is not just a smell, but a mood. Light, joyful, summery.

Essens W153 suits her any day. On Monday it helps start the week with a smile. On Friday it adds anticipation of the evening. On a day off it turns an ordinary day into a little adventure.

⚖️ The Original and Essens W153 Side by Side

The only difference is the price and the bottle. The scent remains recognizable from the very first seconds.

✨ Women's perfume W153 by Essens is a refined fragrance that unfolds with a juicy fruity trail and a floral heart. It is a precise analog of the legendary Dolce & Gabbana L'Impératrice, also known as The Empress. Every drop conveys the exquisite accord familiar to fans of the original. It gives a feeling of joy and freedom, while remaining affordable luxury.

This is a tender interweaving of notes that captivates from the first seconds and consists of three waves. At its core lies fruity freshness, transitioning into a floral heart. Essens has carefully recreated the original fragrance and made it accessible to every girl. The quality of Essens perfumery is confirmed by thousands of satisfied customers.

A weightless, sparkling fragrance for spring and summer, and for any moment when you want lightness. Try it and see for yourself.