What would "mmm-mmm good" be without a full bodied story on fragrance. With so many options and too many new launches, what one should consider scent-sational is truly a difficult decision. Let's admit, every designer and every specialty store has launched a fragrance to compliment their collection or brand. We here at The HOT Report have lots of unique favorites. From classics and traditionals....to flirty and floral, androgynous and sporty. However, here we agree that the newly created fragrance launching this September, and by far the most intimate, is Prada's Infusion d'Iris.
Thanks to the collaboration between Miuccia Prada and perfumer Daniela Andrier, Infusion D'Iris includes notes of mandarin, orange blossom, iris, incense, benzoin and cedar. Highly anticipated as being the best-selling fragrance for the fashion house, the vintage inspired bottle touts a metal plate stamped with the Prada logo. The box is the house's signature pale green and the packaging itself carries the 94-year old Prada logo. Yes, it's stunning! The collection includes the splash, the soap bar with a satin appearance, the Mono-dose towels made of 100% cotton, Aloe and Vitamin B, Cylindrical shaped candles, the clear translucent Linen Water, used to iron clothes and our agreed upon favorite, the signature paper Drawer Liners (1 booklet) includes 25 sheets. And, more importantly, useful for suitcases and love letters! Get in line...The collection is available for pre-order at Neiman Marcus in the US and Escentual in the UK.
Meanwhile, we thought we'd ask a few of our friends what they look for when shopping for that special "bottle of beauty" and next to mystery and the beloved "significant other" recommendations, many of our friends agreed, the packaging doesn't hurt! Here is our "most" likely to do anything, anywhere and anytime...best new fragrance and scent winners!
Best New Fragrance - Prada Infusion D'Iris, $210.00
Best Dressed - Coach, $68.00. By far a leader in design aesthetics. Here is where packaging is paramount! The scent itself is also stellar. Notes include green mandarin, guava, violet petals, water lily, genet flower, honey, orange flower, mimosa, jasmine, sandalwood, amber wood and vanilla. Launched Spring 2007, with loads of lingering Fall appeal!
Most Spirited - Daisy by Marc Jacobs (August 2007) $70. Pretty, pretty, pretty. And, it's not only the daisies that are to die for, the fragrance is also youthful and happy! Developed by perfumer Alberto Morillas, Daisy includes notes of wild strawberry, violet leaves, red grapefruit, gardenia, violet, jasmine, musk, vanilla and white woods.
Most Feminine - Aerin Lauder's Private Collection - Tuberose Gardenia, $300.00. The Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia will be available in August at Bergdorf Goodman, Holt Renfrew, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. International launches will begin in September 2007. Yes, the glass bottle is decadent. Beautifully designed with semi-precious stones and inspired by a Joseph Hoffman brooch. We absolutley love Youth Dew, another Lauder classic. However, this is clearly perfume luxury!
Most Likely to Succeed - Gucci by Gucci, the new and also highly anticipated (October 2007) fragrance created by Gucci Creative Director, Frida Giannini. The notes include guava, raspberry, pear, Tahitian Tiare flower, orange blossom, spider lily, patchouli, honey and musk.
Most Traditional and likely, Most Wanted - The reinvented classic - Chanel No. 5. Newly named, No. 5 Eau Premiere.
So brace yourselves. This Fall, Winter and Holiday season will prove to bring on the obligatory spritzing mania. Wear your raincoats and Enjoy!