Cult Products – Fragrance
What gives a fragrance cult status? After all, with over 200 fragrances launched each year, competition is strong. A cult fragrance is one that has stood the test of time – it is quite simply timeless and classic. It does not date, and suits most wearers. A cult fragrance was as popular 20 years ago as it is now, and will be in another 20 years. Here are our favourite classic fragrances in Australia.
Chanel No 5
This cult fragrance must be the most famous fragrance in the world, and deserves its place on the list. Chanel No 5 has been around for over 50 years and has won awards too numerous to mention. In 1921, Mme Gabrielle Chanel asked her “nose” to create “a women’s perfume with a women’s scent”. The nose presented her with a timeless composition that made unprecedented use of aldehydes. Mme Chanel selected the fifth sample of the fragrance, and decided to name it simply N°5, and a legend was born. Celebrities who profess to wearing Chanel No 5 include Marilyn Monroe (and her famous quote), Rita Hayworth, Catherine Deneuve, Carole Bouquet, and Claudia Schiffer. EDP Spray 100ml RRP $234.00.
Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme EDT
The most popular men’s fragrance in the world, Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme is an aquatic, aromatic scent, inspired by the Italian island of Pantelleria. This iconic masculine fragrance opens with fresh Calabrian bergamot, neroli and green tangerine. Light, aquatic nuances mix with jasmine petal, crisp rock rose, rosemary, fruity persimmon and warm Indonesian patchouli to create a fresh, sensual masculine scent. EDT 100ml RRP $145.00. Also available in 50ml RRP $110.00, 200ml RRP $190.00.
Guerlain Shalimar
This fragrance is inspired by a love story like no other. Have you ever been so loved by anyone that they built a palace for you? No – neither have I, but Shalimar is that palace – built in memory of Princess Mumtaz by Indian Prince Shah Jehan after she died in childbirth. In 1924 Jacques Guerlain created Shalimar the fragrance, after hearing about this all-consuming love, and a timeless classic was born. A mix of floral and amber-woody notes, Shalimar is the essence of eternal love and femininity. EDP Spray 50ml RRP $149.00
Ermenegildo Zegna Z Zenga
The signature fragrance of the Ermenegildo Zegna line is crisp and sensual and oh, so wearable. Created for the man with an eclectic lifestyle, whose look is both smart and comfortable, the scent is both masculine and sexy – think Italian passion. The fresh citrus fragrance for men includes notes such as Sicilian Bergamot, rosemary, casoar fruit, iris, and nutmeg, which give the fragrance a zesty, sparkly opening, and warm earthy finish. EDT 100ml RRP $120.00.
Calvin Klein Euphoria
Calvin Klein designed Euphoria as a modern interpretation of sensuality – sleek and modern, with notes of pomegranate, persimmon, lotus blossom and black orchid, the exotic fruity-floral fragrance has stood the test of time and is as relevant today as it was when it was first launched in 2005. The sleek fluid curves of the bottle that fits perfectly into your hand only enhance the sensuality of the fragrance. EDP Spray 100ml RRP $120.00.
Giorgio Armani Si EDP
With Cate Blanchett as your muse, and face, a fragrance is surely destined to become a classic, and so it has been with Giorgio Armani Si. The Si woman is at once free-spirited, passionate, loving and vibrant. Her fragrance is at once chic, voluptuous, intense, and soft. “Si is my tribute to modern femininity, an irresistible combination of grace, strength and independent spirit.” Giorgio Armani. Si combines an inflection of three accords: cassis nectar, modern chypre and light musky wood to create an elegant and captivating fragrance. EDP 50ml RRP $145.00. Also available in 30ml RRP $99.00, and 100ml RRP $199.00.
Aramis Classic EDT
If you were to ask your father/grandfather/brother what their first fragrance was, a high number of them would say it was Aramis. With its unmistakable leathery notes, Aramis Eau de Toilette is an Aromatic Chypre fragrance, distinctly masculine, timeless, authoritative and classic. A sophisticated & elegant fragrance blended like fine wine from rare and exotic ingredients such as bergamot, cinnamon, vetiver, sandalwood, oakmoss, and of course leather, that balance and complement each other perfectly. EDT 110ml RRP $110.00.
Lancome Tresor
Lancome Tresor (or treasure in English), was created in 1990 as the scent of everlasting love. The floral-oriental fragrance is comprised of an elegant bouquet of rose, mugent, lilac, jasmine, and peach, giving it a radiance, luminosity, and warmth. A fragrance for the stylishly chic romantic, who loves being in love. EDP 50ml RRP $140.00. Also available in 30ml RRP $100.00 and 100ml RRP $197.00.
YSL Paris
The ultimate romantic feminine fragrance (and a personal favourite at Beauty Over 40), Yves Saint Laurent designed Paris the fragrance to convey the glamour and allure of his favourite city Paris. Launched in 1983, in the signature multi-faceted bottle, and containing a blend of 232 notes, including rose, violet with hints of bergamot, this fragrance conjures up the atmosphere of the most romantic city on earth – the city of lights, like no other. EDT Spray 75ml RRP $138.00.
Michael Kors Signature
Michael Kors Signature Eau de Parfum is glamorous yet easy, rich yet relaxed—elegance at ease. Drawn from Michael’s travels to London and Shanghai, St. Tropez and Capri, the scent captures a blend of influences in this distinct, feminine fragrance. Top notes of spice and incense create a voluptuous opening, middle notes of blue orris and peony give the fragrance a sensuality, whilst the earthy vetiver in the base note creates a warmth and depth to round out the fragrance.EDP Spray 50ml RRP $140. Also available in 30ml EDP RRP $100.00 and 75ml EDP RRP $185.00.
Montblanc Legend
Montblanc Legend is a fougere fragrance – simultaneously expressing strength and softness, clarity and mystery. It firmly makes its presence felt without ever becoming ostentatious. The Legend man is inspiring, confident courageous and passionate. The fragrance combines both traditional and modern notes of bergamot, lavender, and pineapple for a fresh opening note, apple, rose, and geranium middle notes for an elegant core, and sandalwood and tonka for a strongly masculine base. EDT 100ml RRP $105.00. Also available in EDT 50ml RRP $79.00.
Estee Lauder Youth Dew
Over 50 years ago, Estée Lauder wondered why women relied on the men in their lives to buy them perfume. And why they reserved fragrance only for special occasions. To change women’s minds, and the world of fragrance forever, Mrs. Lauder created Youth-Dew Bath Oil in 1953, and a legend was born. Captivating, rich and exceptionally long lasting, women originally bought it for the bath, but, soon began wearing Youth-Dew as their fragrance as well. Because it was sold as a bath oil, not perfume, women felt free to enjoy and wear it every day. Instead of using Youth-Dew by the drop, women used it by the bottle. The sensual fragrance, with notes of rose, jasmine, jonquil, and patchouli is as relevant today as it was when launched. EDP 67ml RRP $80.00. Also available in 28ml RRP $60.00.
Elizabeth Arden Red Door
The Australian fragrance success story of the late 1980’s, and inspired by the famous red door at the entrance to Elizabeth Arden in New York, Red Door became an instant hit when it was launched in 1989. The Red Door woman is alluring, fun loving, young at heart, warm and unique. The Red Door fragrance was created as a seductive feminine floral, with notes of Ylang Ylang and red roses, Red Door makes any woman feel special. EDT Spray 100ml RRP $39.00.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue
Imagine yourself on the shores of Sicily on a summers day – the water gently lapping the ricks, the fresh scent wafting over from the citrus groves. If you can’t quite actually get there, then Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue might be the next best thing. As fresh and carefree as the island of Sicily, where Dominico Dolce had his roots, Light Blue is inspired by the blue waters surrounding the island, and the famous Sicilian lemons are a key note of the fragrance. Light Blue is the perfect summer scent, and evokes everything that is Sicily. EDT Spray 100ml RRP $131.00.
Davidoff Cool Water
As modern today as it was when it was launched in the late 1980’s, Davidoff Cool Water is a clean, fresh aromatic fragrance that is both masculine and sensual. Intense fresh notes of lavender, rosemary and peppermint interplay perfectly with warm and woody elements of oak moss and sandalwood absolute, to create a fragrance you’ll want to wear every day. EDT 125ml RRP $59.00.
Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey EDT
Issey Miyake set out to create his signature fragrance to be as clear as spring water – a combination of spray from a waterfall, the fragrance of flowers, and the scent of a spring forest, and so L’Eau D’Issey was created. A feminine floral scent, L’Eau D’Issey opens with dazzling top notes of freesia and fresh peonies, which are accented with middle notes of sweet white lilies and the classic carnations. A decadent musk base completes this sparkling scent. EDT 50ml RRP $121.00. Also available in EDT 25ml RRP $49.00, and EDT 100ml RRP $177.00.
DKNY Be Delicious
For Donna Karan, her signature fragrance had to be all about New York, and what is more New York than its nick name – The Big Apple, and so DKNY Be Delicious was created. Opening with fresh green notes of – what else – apple, grapefruit and magnolia, the fragrance evokes the energy that is New York. Middle notes of tuberose, lily of the valley, and rose create a heart that is warm and feminine, whilst the base notes sandalwood, amber and musk wrap you up in an oasis of sensuality – a little like New York itself. EDP 50ml RRP $98.00. Also available in EDP 100ml RRP $110.00.
What is your favourite cult fragrance – is it on this list? Leave your comment below – we’d love to hear your feedback.
I see some of your favourites here. Mine too