VALENTINO
UOMO BORN IN ROMA PURPLE MELANCHOLIA

2026

bergamot
cardamom
coconut
lavandin
amberwood

Uomo Purple Melancholia is an Eau de Toilette (EDT) concentration. Launched alongside Donna Born in Roma Purple Melancholia (2026).

‘Valentino’s Born in Roma Uomo Purple Melancholia evokes nostalgia, inviting you to unlock your most comforting memories with every wear. A Born in Roma cologne designed not just to be worn, but to be remembered. Born in Roma Uomo Purple Melancholia Eau de Toilette is an ambery aromatic woody fragrance for men that opens with spicy cardamom and a creamy coconut accord. These notes are complemented by the classic sparkling bergamot and lavender trail of Born in Roma Uomo.’ – Valentino US

To get it out of the way; I can’t even remember the last time that I smelled a Born in Roma Uomo, so I can’t speak to the differences between this and previous versions. Similar to the Donna Purple Melancholia, this is pleasant, but generic and it smells like coconutty Sol de Janeiro hairspray or something in that realm.

The opening I did like more. Quite spicy; for a moment, reminiscent of a Spicebomb flanker. However, it introduces the Le Male-esque aromatic side, which just does not smell good in combination with the sweetness. The combination smells familiar; it smells like walking by your average Sephora isle and getting wafts of 20 things at once, that all share this vague sweet cloud with some lavender.

As it dries, it becomes fully sweet. Not super sweet, this is more of a semi-sweet scent, which as with the Donna version, is surprisingly subtle. Coconut is prominent and the final hours are quite pleasant. Overall, this is one of the more pleasant takes on this generic aesthetic, but I still can’t find much excitement for it. It makes for a fitting duo with Donna, but I think I slightly prefer Donna.