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Scents and sensibilities
The celebrity had left the hall after routine rounds of felicitations. But a sheer, yet enveloping fragrance lingered. It was distinctive and subtly sexy. So expressive of her personality...
To many, it might just mean one of those ostensibly superficial things. But perfumes mean much more than just indulgence. Rich in instant feel-good factor, they reflect tastes and sensibilities.
And as Coco Chanel of the Chanel fashion and beauty empire said, "Perfume is the unseen, but unforgettable fashion accessory."
From the one-smell-suits-all mentality to the ultrafemme luxurious scents in ornate bottles, sniffing out the evolution of fragrances is no mean task. Nevertheless, the recent splurge-on-scents phenomenon is something that Chennaiites can't ignore. Check out the lifestyle stores in the city, and you'd notice that perfumes occupy a prime place. Escada's Sentiment, Paco Rabanne's Ultraviolet or Yves Saint Laurent's Baby Doll... all the big names and the latest concoctions are here... in snazzy displays that beckon all... even those who love the idea of extravagance if not the price tags!
Gone are the days when it was fashionable to wear Charlie — and just Charlie. Now there is much more than a manageable number of international brands to browse through. Featured in kitschy forms, scents make perfect "year-round gifts for different age groups. And then, there is this niche crowd that shops for it as a fashion accessory, let alone the avid collectors," says a salesperson at Shopper's Stop.
Bergamot, freesia, lily of the valley, patchouli, oak moss, rose, icy ginger, wisteria to exotic jasmine, sandalwood and spice... all perfect ingredients to let your senses take over.
From power perfumes that trigger warfare in the nostrils to pure floral notes that cast you in a whirlwind of passion and fragrances that stimulate — holistically, the range is inebriating. And the names, truly evocative going by the attractive line-up at Lifestyle, Landmark and Hi-Style.
As fashion houses began to smell success with perfumes in the last century, they brought a haute couture sensibility to the world of fragrance. Be it Nina Ricci, Gucci or Dolce and Gabbana, their perfumes are a literal translation of their visual aesthetic.
It's their refined sensibilities bottled with all those unexpected exotic combinations. True, the scents created by designers have a certain personality. And like couture, there is drama and substance in their creations. For instance, Dolce and Gabbana's Pour Femme captures the gentle and strong sides of a woman's personality and Nina Ricci's creations celebrate a woman's sensuality.
And as if the stunning new fragrances are not enough, they come in bottles and packs that attest to their own chic and panache.
The packaging indeed looks exquisite enough to add cachet to any dressing table. While some of the bottles are spare and elegant (don't miss the sculptural shapes!) mirroring the purity of the fragrance within, others are architectural marvels reflecting sheer extravagance.
Designer perfume is no longer a hard-to-shop-for thing in the metro. It's not just the lifestyle shops; even fragrance boutiques are coming up in the city. Accents, which opened recently at Ispahani Centre, Nungambakkam High Road, showcases over three dozen international names.
Hugo Boss, Estee Lauder, Cartier, Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, Azzaro, Burberry, Davidoff, Paco Rabanne, YSL, Christian Dior, Gaultier, Calvin Klein, Swiss Army... . The range starts at Rs. 475 (Escada) and goes up to about Rs.7,000 (Estee Lauder). Incidentally, Accents also displays Victoria Secret Bath and Body Works line of products.
Speaking about the response, the saleswoman points out that travel and media have "exposed not just the affluent but also the middle class to international names. In fact, a number of students too drop in.
And when it comes to an exclusive store, they are certain that they are not purchasing some grey market stuff. Further, there are fantastic gifts accompanying select items."
The fact that even pint-sized bottles cost thousands might shock the purse-conscious shopper. But, "the customer is paying for innovation and patented ingredients," points out a showroom manager. The thing is that even an ounce of some enduring fragrances like Joy (that has adorned the dressing tables of women since 1930), are said to contain 10,600 jasmine flowers and 28 dozens of May roses!
Be it for that refreshing feeling, pampering the pulse points or covering-up for tobacco smell (!) scents are becoming an integral part of our sensibility. To some, they trigger nausea or a pounding headache.
But then, there are some barely-there ones with mild fruity or floral notes that hardly assault the senses. So go ahead, make your pick and see if the chemistry clicks— and endures!
T.KRITHIKA REDDY
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