Throughout fashion month, we’re focusing some of our attention on the backstage creatives and the fragrances they’re choosing to wear throughout the shows (and beyond).
Mary Greenwell is undeniably one of the most sought-after make-up artists, having painted the faces of many an influential woman – from some of the world’s most famous fashion week models to the Hollywood A-List to British royalty. She is quite the beauty powerhouse and creates new trends on the catwalk season after glorious season.
With over 25 years in the industry and now a quartet of beautiful fragrances under her belt, she talks us through her sheer passion for all things scent…
‘I’ve always been in love with fragrance. When I was a child, I adored how appealing my mother smelled when she sprayed her perfume every day. My first scent memory is of her walking out the door, looking gorgeous and leaving a trail of Lanvin Arpege in her wake. Growing up, I was surrounded by fragrance every day of my life and I loved it. When someone has a signature scent it is so comforting; fragrance can transport you back to a time or a place years before. It involves so many memories and evokes so many feelings.
The first fragrance I bought was Chloe by Karl Lagerfeld when I was 18. I loved the packaging, the deliciously pale pink colour of the juice and the gorgeously crafted design of the glass bottle. There was nothing like it at the time. I also loved First by Van Cleef & Arpels as it was exquisite, timeless and had a wonderful ‘other worldliness’ that is hard to explain unless you’ve smelled it yourself.
Obviously, now I have my own fragrances which I have been lucky enough to work on with the amazing Francois Robert, so I wear my own scents, Plum, Lemon, Cherry and Fire! But, one of my all-time favourites that I always revisit is Eau de Soir by Sisley because it is one of the most luxurious and sensual scents on the market and I’ve worn it for well over 10 years. It has a rich composition of contrasting ingredients: fresh citrus, sensual flowers, warm amber and musk. Eau de Soir makes me feel glamourous, sophisticated and always gives me a sensation of feeling enveloped in a cashmere wrap.’
Twitter @MaryGreenwell
Written by Alice Jones
