Viva sniffs out the latest perfumes.
Too much Mother's Day marketing is aimed at the twinset and pearls brigade. Make your mother feel sensuous, not stately - whatever her age - with a well-chosen fragrance. We've checked out some new perfume offerings and, where they've lingered in our olfactory memory, recalled a few other recent releases of note to come up with some suggestions for giving.
Designer statements: Frockstar Michael Kors continues his tour of resort hotspots with the latest in his Island perfume series. Palm Beach is as crisp and green as its bottle, perfect on the terrace after tennis, especially for sporty types with no truck for sickly stuff. Set it aside for summer. $170 for the 50ml eau de parfum.
* A contrast in styles comes from fellow designer Narciso Rodriguez who builds all his very feminine fragrances around musk. Essence Eau de Musc lifts the intimate powdery mood of his earlier creations with an airy, bright touch that travels from boudoir to boardroom. Priced from $98 for 35ml in a sculptural silver bottle as fluid as his dresses.
Exotic and original: Sensuous Noir eau de parfum is an enticing oriental aroma, whose staying power will be too rich for some, but if you like warm, woody, amber-rich scents then inhale deeply. From $124 for 30ml.
* YSL's Belle d'Opium is more obviously floral, but true to its oriental heritage with a soft sandalwood finish and a beautiful bottle.
Elegant elan: Gorgeous gift boxes and distinctive fragrances set Jo Malone's perfumes apart, the latest is the limited edition Sakura Cherry Blossom, as fresh and pretty as a Japanese landscape in spring, but light as a petal. Priced from $110 for 30ml.
* A floral aesthetic with a fresh heart makes Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey Florale a deliciously delicate choice. Safe but not at all sappy.
Yummy mummy: Hugo Boss Orange Sunset eau de toilette is the sort of friendly, slightly frisky fragrance that will become an everyday favourite. It's not complex, but the citrusy notes give the floral-fruity mix sparkle, and vanilla and sandalwood soften it nicely. Sienna Miller fronts the advertising campaign which sums up the scent's relaxed mood. From $84 for 30ml.
* Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy will also appeal to casual, confident types: in comparison to the Boss it's as sophisticated as popcorn, but if the LA look is your thing then snap up the 30ml Traveller spray at $101, it nails Paris Hilton style like a black velvet tracksuit.
Classic with a twist: Jean-Paul Gaultier's reinterpreted Classique fragrance comes with a bonus black beaded necklace strung around the famous torso bottle in the Classique X jewel edition (100ml) worth $195. It's a fresher floral than the original headier Classique.
* Gucci Eau Fraiche is another retooled fragrance that brings a lighter touch to a popular purchase. From $103 for the 30ml eau de toilette.
Building blocks: Donna Karan, as ever, looks to New York for inspiration in DKNY Women Energizing eau de toilette, a lighter, airier take on her city as scent in a see-through skyscraper bottle, priced from $68 for 30ml.
* Another architectural bottle gone all translucent is Shiseido's latest version of Zen, called White Heat. This too is light and bright - but it has a warmth from the aromatherapeutic addition of a so called anti-stress fragrance which does indeed lend a relaxing note. The 50ml eau de parfum costs $123.
Stockists: Fragrance and brand counters at selected pharmacies and department stores or as stated. Jean Paul Gaultier Classique X jewel edition exclusive to Farmers. Michael Kors Island from Smith & Caughey's. Jo Malone from its Chancery store, Auckland until this weekend, relocating to Britomart, Atrium on Takutai, from mid next week or ph 0800 JOMSHOP.
