Known as The Last Empress of China, she started her life as one of the concubines to the emperor. After giving birth to a son, she rose in power as the Emperor died. She was the ruler of China and banned foot binding of women, a practice which caused untold misery among her subjects. She is credited with setting the stage for a constitutional monarchy. She was widely hated among powerful men but was a remarkable woman who held her country together in hard times.

So, how would you paint a portrait of a woman like that in perfume? Start with an extreme Dragon’s Blood, but not just any kind of Dragon’s Blood: a dark blonde sandalwood, Chinese incense, tarry myrrh, “white” amber, and a very dry vanilla. It’s quite a recipe and goes on your skin as a subtle veil of scent but persists and commands in ways others don’t expect and does it delightfully.