Beauty
Fashion In A Bottle
Text by Wyanet Vaz
Vittoria Zompanti in her book Economic Matters states that couturiers such as Armani and Hugo Boss have moved into cosmetics, spectacles and fragrances – and calls them all ‘fashion victim products.’ On the brighter side, Dolce & Gabbana effortlessly promote their perfumes with a line that reads, ‘As clothing defines women’s and men’s shapes, fragrances are the gateway to their souls.’ Verve explores fashion’s strong influences on classic and contemporary fragrances.
Click on the thumbnails below to view the fashion inspirations.
Balenciaga Florabotanica inspired by the Spring Summer 2008 and Fall Winter 2011 collection
Much like Nicholas Ghesquière’s 2008 Spring Summer collection, the fragrance strikes a perfect balance between masculine and feminine. The collection captures the floral essence, not in a naïve and romantic way, but is more structured, modern and architectural. The same motifs are found as vetiver and amber are bordered by rose, carnation and mint. Ghesquière opines, “The new fragrance is more about Balenciaga today, and is connected to the modernity of the brand.” Florabotanica’s packaging that depicts flowers enveloping the structured black and white is influenced by Balenciaga’s 2011 Fall Winter collection.
Issey Miyaki Pleats Please
Issey Miyaki Pleats Please inspired by the 1993 and Spring Summer 1994 collection
Few collections can claim to be revolutionary. Issey Miyaki’s 1993 collection titled Pleats Please can be designated as such. Whether it was shirts, skirts, cardigans or trousers, the collection was a triumph of style. The same versatility was easily transported into Pleats Please, a light hearted colourful perfume launched in 2012. The floral bouquet combines the sweetness of vanilla and is layered over woody notes. The flacon with a crushed-origami look is flanked by a pleated crown. The exuberant finale of Pleats Please in 1994’s Spring Summer ramp-walk can be captured in the bottle’s cheerful and joyous notes.
Dior J’adore inspired by the 'New Look' silhouette
J’adore was first released in 1999, and is still an iconic fragrance that encapsulates a floral bouquet of ylang ylang, Damascus rose and sambac jasmine. The immediately recognisable flacon is inspired by Christian Dior’s sketches of his classic ‘New Look’ silhouette. The design, characterised by a small nipped-in waist and a full skirt falling below the knee, can be easily seen in the tear-drop shaped bottle. Much like the collection which celebrates femininity, this fragrance is Dior’s golden girl.
Gucci Flora 1966 inspired by the print illustrated for Princess Grace Kelly
The inspiration for Flora 1966 comes from Gucci’s iconic floral motif. In the year 1966, the floral print was illustrated especially for the royal style icon, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco. The bottle is housed in a silk pouch featuring a particularly pretty version with pink peonies. A bouquet of peony petals rests at the heart of this fragrance, conveying freshness, spice and intangible flavours. Frida Giannini believes that the birth of the Flora motif is a milestone in Gucci history and proclaims, “The fragrance, with its silken texture will make every woman feel like a modern day icon.”
Elie Saab L’eau Couture inspired by the Spring Summer 2014 collection
Inspired by Elie Saab’s Ready-to-Wear 2014 Spring Summer collection, the soft almondy floral fragrance is as light as the delicate fabrics used in the collection. Much like a floral fairy-tale culminating in the most ethereal of brides, the palette ran from soft pinks to corals, and powdered blues. Translating the floral embroideries into olfactory delights, the pastel bluish-green fragrance includes delicate notes of bergamot, rose, lemon and orange blossom. The fragrance has a dreamy feel borrowed directly from the collection. Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian rightly remarks, “It is really the encounter between the l’eau segment and the couture universe.”