valentinoRock ’n’ roll and high fashion have always gone hand in hand. Have you ever seen a runway show without a DJ playing the hottest tunes for the models to strut to? Or a famous rock star without a glamorous, pouty girlfriend decked out in the latest designs? Music influences fashion and vice versa, but nobody has parlayed this notion into a scent quite as well as the king of couture, Valentino, who aptly named his youthful fragrance Rock ’n Rose.

As a lifelong fan of rock music—to the point, at times, of officially qualifying as a groupie—I was instantly curious about the perfume because of its name alone. As I spritzed it on my wrists, something interesting happened. Suddenly I was transported to a time when I was younger and wilder, back to days when I waited for hours in line to get concert tickets, sneaked around backstage at shows to give presents to band members, and lied about my age to get into clubs (as opposed to now, when I’m tempted to fib about being younger).

This isn’t because Rock ’n Rose is a childish scent. On the contrary, it is youthful yet sexy, with hints of rose and vanilla blended with sandalwood and musky undertones that convey a grown woman who is young at heart. Even the perfume’s packaging, while seductive, remains somewhat innocent. A combination of sleek black and baby-doll pink, it’s like lacy lingerie with satin bows—at once a turn-on and precious.

The day I tried Rock ’n Rose, I coincidentally had tickets to a concert that night. I figured, “What better place to try out a scent so suggestive of music?” At the venue, I asked my male friend what he thought of it. “Mmmm!” he nodded. I turned to the guys next to me and solicited their opinions. “Hot,” said one. “Sexy,” agreed the other. It could’ve been their welcomed response or the sultry, darkened venue with pulsating music, but I did feel sexier. And although I regularly attend concerts for a living, I rarely dance at them. But as the beat thrummed and flirty fragrance swirled in the air, my feet started moving, then my body—for two hours straight.

My friend and I left the show laughing and agreed it was the best time we’d had in ages. I felt lighter and more carefree. Could this really be because of a perfume? I continued to put it to the test over the following days and was surprised to hear myself accept every party invitation and concert-ticket offer that came my way (normally I only go out once or twice a week). Perhaps I was still reeling from the fun night out, but I’m going to continue to wear Rock ’n Rose and maybe even keep dancing.