Fashion Goss

forever & ever

September 3, 2009

StellaNUDE

Just as songs can flick you back to a moment in time, so can fragrance. Everytime I smell Stella McCartney’s first fragrance, Stella, I am reminded of the time in my life when I first started seeing my husband.

It was the end of 2005, I was flatting with some good friends and it was the beginning of summer. It seemed like every wrong in my life had been righted. (Cheesey I know, but hey I fell madly in love).

Stella was the first fragrance he bought me (the second was Kate Moss’s eponymous scent which in my opinion was a poor copy of this).

I still love it.

And I think I’ll always love any scent Stella McCartney does, which is why my first Forever Friday is the new Stella fragrance STELLANUDE. I was lucky to get a preview of it the other day and it is gorgeous. Like Stella, it has top notes of Moroccan Rose but it also has grapefruit, peony, pink pepper, amber, vanilla and musk. It’s a sensuous smell - not too citrusy at all but not too flowery either. A wonderful balance.

The inspiration came from one of Stella McCartney’s (the person, I know, it gets confusing) other design passions - lingerie. The press release says ‘for the intimate moments when a woman feels entirely herself.’

For women, by a woman. There’s nothing here about seduction, even though the imagery is incredibly sexy. I love it.

It was also revealed at the launch that the Stella fragrances will now be sold at Workshop stores around the country - the perfect fusion of fashion and beauty. It will also be available at department stores and selected pharmacies.

Funnily enough, this near perfect thing nearly didn’t come to light. Darker forces are at work. STELLANUDE nearly didn’t get launched - Stella McCartney Ltd is being sued by a British cosmetics company called Nude who claim that the use of Nude as the name is a breach of copyright. Ridiculous as it is, the trial is set for later this year. In the meantime, a judge granted the launch saying that to hold it back would negatively affect YSL Beaute (the owners of Stella McCartney fragrances). I’m so glad it went ahead.

STELLANUDE goes on counter mid October 2009 and comes in a 50ml, $125; 100ml, $160; and a linen scented mist 125ml, $125. (I have generously sprayed my lingerie with the linen mist - the drawer is heavenly to open).

Put it on your Christmas list and have a Stella summer.

Do you like the Stella fragrances? (Stella and Sheer). What’s your favourite?

Tamsin xo