Diana Vreeland Parfums is to launch a collection of olfactory delights into Selfridges, paying homage to Mrs. Vreeland’s love of words and sheer passion for colour. This is a woman who declared: ‘pink is the navy blue of India!’
She’s a fashion legend and utterly fascinating – as anyone who saw the award-winning documentary about her – ‘The Eye Has To Travel’ – well understands. Mrs. Vreeland’s career in the fashion industry included almost three decades at Harper’s Bazaar, before joining Vogue in the sixties and then taking over the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum. She’s also responsible for many a fashion career (including talent-spotting Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera) and was even a fashion advisor to Jackie Kennedy. There are few who’ve left quite such a mark on the fashion industry.
Created by IFF who were chosen for their expertise in the world of haute perfumery, each of the five scents is a tribute to her memory and inspired by one of her ever-famous quotes – and the creative process was affectionately overseen by her grandson Alexander Vreeland.
Absolutely Vital
Quote: ‘Elegance is innate’
Composed by perfumer Yves Casser using the finest ingredients and inspired by Diana’s love of India and sandalwood, the woody floral aroma features Indian sandalwood alongside a floral bouquet of jasmine absolute and Turkish rose. The warming scent is fragrantly softened via balmy accords of myrrh and opoponax resin.
Perfectly Marvelous
Quote: ‘Why don’t you?’
An alluring, heady aroma that captures her favourite colour – red. Lacquered red sandalwood, pimento, jasmine sambac, cashmeran and a mix of spices surround jasmine absolute from India. Created by Celine Barel, the fiery scent is a fragrant interpretation of Mrs. Vreeland’s quote: ‘if it isn’t passion, it isn’t burning, it isn’t on fire, you haven’t lived!’.
Extravagance Russe
Quote: ‘Style is everything’
Paying homage to her adoration of Ambréeism, vanilla bourbon and musk are sensuously draped around notes of mystical amber.
Simply Divine
Quote: ‘I believe totally in romance’
A glorious ode to the beauty of the tuberose flower. Composed by Clément Gavarry, it gets its green freshness from tuberose nectar alongside a dash of nutmeg. At the heart you’ll discover orange flower absolute from Tunisia and Egyptian jasmine absolute. At the base, Indian sandalwood is accompanied by warming accords of orris, cashmere woods, tonka bean and musk.
Outragously Vibrant
Quote: ‘I dare’
A classical chypre structure with a difference. Perfumer Carlos Benaïm blended patchouli, blackcurrant and rose alongside the unexpected addition of crème de cassis, forming a scent that is described as ‘bold, daring and contemporary.’
Diana Vreeland Parfums, £135 for 50ml eau de parfum
Try them at: Selfridges
Written by Alice Jones
PS Watch this space: we are working on hosting a very stylish event for The Perfume Society to celebrate the launch of this collection, later in the autumn…
