Here are four French fragrances worth sniffing out.
1. Womanity by Thierry Mugler 80ml eau de parfum $189
Somehow it's no surprise Lady Gaga would be attracted by this eccentric scent with its bizarre bottle with ring chain cap and a totem meant to typify the primal universality of womanhood. On a recent British talk show Gwyneth Paltrow asked after her aroma and out it came from Gaga's bag. It's said to be the first fragrance with a sweet/savoury note - think fig and caviar cavorting in the woods. These days it's hard to imagine a fragrance having quite the impact of Angel, Mugler's groundbreaking gourmand perfume of the early 1990s, which introduced chocolate to our olfactory senses. Womanity is less overwhelming, but for me that's a bonus. An oddball, but that's just the ticket for certain ladies.
2. Givenchy Very Irresistible L'Intense 50ml eau de parfum $139
A silver motif akin to a rose tattoo design decorates the sensuous curve of the purple bottle of this amped-up version of Very Irresistible. The fragrance, fronted by actress Liv Tyler is, thanks to underlying musk and patchouli, a bit more rock and roll than the fruity floral original.
3. Dior Addict to Life 100ml eau de toilette $220
I love how the bottle echoes the look of the Dior Addict lipstick, and has a cool violet collar which picks up on the lipstick colour worn by model Karlie Kloss in the campaign shot. Like a lipstick it's more of an impulse purchase than a signature scent, but it is way less cloying than many fashion statement fragrances. This fresh floral has a sweet subtlety.
4. Aura by Swarovski, 30ml eau de parfum $120
Look out for this jewel from mid-month. Aura is a collaboration between the perfumers at Clarins and the crystal makers at Swarovski, providing a bejewelled metal sheath for each bottle of a suitably luminous fragrance. The makers describe it as having "rays" rather than fragrance notes. To my nose, the fruity top "ray" predominates, there's a floral heart and a softly spicy finish, with a fusion of amber, the vanilla-like benzoin and white musk. In three sizes up to 75ml for $200. The companies have also collaborated on makeup jewels, including pendants containing lip gloss, but these are not available in New Zealand.
Stockists: Selected department stores and pharmacies, with Aura also available at Swarovski boutiques.
