From the moment she first stepped into the spotlight in 2002 as part of girl group Girls Aloud, our love affair with Newcastle-born Cheryl began.
With twenty consecutive top 10 singles in the UK (including four number ones), six platinum albums (two shot to number one) and a slew of Brit Award nominations – including a win – the scene was set for Cheryl to dazzle.
She rapidly rose to become glamorous style icon, even before her solo career – and has remained one. Further hits have followed (making Cheryl the first British female to have five number ones in the UK). She has graced the covers of countless fashion magazines. And she has kept us entertained with her insights and opinions on ‘The X Factor’…
The finishing touch for any fashionista, of course, is fragrance – but Cheryl‘s have made quite some splash. In September 2014 (initially via her Instagram account), she unveiled her debut scent StormFlower, an addictive fusion of mandarin, nectarine, freesia, peach blossom, vanilla, white musk and sandalwood, which saw Cheryl intimately involved in the creation from start to final spritz – and of course, as the star of the dramatic ad. campaign, shot by renowned photographer Rankin.
As she explains: ‘I really love fruity floral fragrances that are easy to wear and not too overpowering… Really pretty scents. I wanted something that I would wear personally and I’ve achieved that.’ Although, she adds, ‘it took a while to get it exactly how I wanted in my mind… I stayed really involved in the development throughout to ensure the scent and packaging stayed true to me and reflected my style.’ As Cheryl explained at time of launch, ‘I’d say this fragrance captures more than one side of my personality… It makes me feel confident knowing I’m wearing a scent that I’ve had such a creative impact on, and which smells great…’
And the fragrance world definitively agreed: not only did the launch of StormFlower break sales records, but at the 23rd Annual Fragrance Foundation Awards (a.k.a. ‘Fifis’) – the perfume world’s ‘Oscars’, voted on by the industry – StormFlower scooped the hugely coveted ‘Ultimate Launch’ Award.
StormFlower Eau de Parfum was followed by StormFlower Noir – becuase as Cheryl explained, ‘I wanted to change the mood with my next fragrance: something a little more exciting, with a sense of occasion associated with modern glamour and trend. I’ve been more adventurous with the fragrance profile as I’ve gained more confidence in the creative process. I met with the perfumers in Paris and we worked hard to ensure this new fragrance was both sensual and addictive…’
In sleek black and gold packaging, that collaboration brings us mandarin, combined with juicy pear and the tang of rhubarb. Rich florals swirl at the heart: tuberose, orange blossom and rose, while the finale pulses with musk and creamy sandalwood, dusted with brown sugar.
StormFlower Platinum is a celebration of everything that is exceptional and beautiful about the collection. Top notes of bergamot and lemon make for a bright openng, softened by sun-ripened peach. In the heart notes, rose gets an aromatic twist from sage, with honeyed orange flower enhancing its powdery, floral heart. As ever, the ‘trail’ is a show-stopper: musks and cedarwood, warmed by so-sexy Ambrox.
Destined to be another hit, of course. And we’d expect nothing less from the magnetic Cheryl…
