Designer fragrances are now so common that it's easy to forget that there are still brands yet to dabble their feet in the waters of scent. With the likes of Stella McCartney, Michael Kors and Burberry already translating their clothing collections into perfume so perfectly, I just made the assumption that there was already a McQueen incarnation in existence. Twelve years after Lee McQueen debuted his menswear collection on the catwalk, those that have taken over the reins of his brand have been able to finally interpret the elements of its very core and create a scent that perfectly encapsulates them. The moody and exquisitely crafted bottle hides a rich, sensual and timeless fragrance that will definitely appeal to lovers of the brand and fragrance connoisseurs alike. They say: "McQueen Parfum is for the woman who blooms in the dark. Inspired by classic perfumes with strong floral signatures, the fragrance takes a rich, vintage spirit and gives it a stunningly modern architecture. Inspired by the craftsmanship of haute perfumeries, McQueen has created a unique scent made from the precious essence of three night-blooming flowers."
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Created using Sambac Jasmine ('the essence of power and romance',) Tuberose ('the warm, intoxicating heart of seduction') and Ylang Ylang ('the mysterious scent of a perfect morning',) alongside black pepper, pink pepper and clove, the result is a deeply rich and musky scent. Together these three flowers open under the moon to exude a sweet and complex aroma that exists only until the morning; this makes them all the more rare and intriguing, which is for me what the McQueen brand is all about. Have you ever heard of any other brand using only flowers that can be harvested under the moon? It's a little hocus pocus, but I just love it. Although upon first sniff I didn't think the scent was particularly revolutionary (there are a number of fragrances that smell very similar,) I can appreciate it from a brand and longevity point of view: there's very little point in investing time and money into an 'on-trend' scent that needs to be re-formulated a couple of years later. This is classic not only in its design, but in the notes and emotions it evokes.
If the story of the night blooming flowers didn't tickle your fancy, then the craftsmanship of the bottle is surely enough to generate a little lust. A timeless shape, tactile and beautiful in both the hand and upon a dressing table, gold feathers crown the bottle to 'reflect the bespoke craftsmanship that is pure McQueen.' It's beautifully gothic, with just a subtle modern twist. It feels heavy and like a real piece of art that anybody would cherish - even if the juice inside isn't necessarily your thing. Like everything McQueen, the result is something that's incredibly couture and completely pushes the boundaries of our expectation: which is why this little bottle is an incredible £285.00 and you can only pick it up from Harrods. McQueen have definitely kept the brand's ethos at the heart of this scent, rather than creating something accessible to all via our local Boots; I admire them for that, in a world where the bottom line sometimes drives commercial decisions more than the creative director's vision. Although this won't be for everyone's tastes (or budget!) it's well worth testing the scent the next time you pop into Harrods - even just to be temporarily transported into the unique gothic world of McQueen.
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The Alexander Mcqueen fragrance is available exclusively from Harrods, priced £285.00 for a 50ml bottle.
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Created using Sambac Jasmine ('the essence of power and romance',) Tuberose ('the warm, intoxicating heart of seduction') and Ylang Ylang ('the mysterious scent of a perfect morning',) alongside black pepper, pink pepper and clove, the result is a deeply rich and musky scent. Together these three flowers open under the moon to exude a sweet and complex aroma that exists only until the morning; this makes them all the more rare and intriguing, which is for me what the McQueen brand is all about. Have you ever heard of any other brand using only flowers that can be harvested under the moon? It's a little hocus pocus, but I just love it. Although upon first sniff I didn't think the scent was particularly revolutionary (there are a number of fragrances that smell very similar,) I can appreciate it from a brand and longevity point of view: there's very little point in investing time and money into an 'on-trend' scent that needs to be re-formulated a couple of years later. This is classic not only in its design, but in the notes and emotions it evokes.
If the story of the night blooming flowers didn't tickle your fancy, then the craftsmanship of the bottle is surely enough to generate a little lust. A timeless shape, tactile and beautiful in both the hand and upon a dressing table, gold feathers crown the bottle to 'reflect the bespoke craftsmanship that is pure McQueen.' It's beautifully gothic, with just a subtle modern twist. It feels heavy and like a real piece of art that anybody would cherish - even if the juice inside isn't necessarily your thing. Like everything McQueen, the result is something that's incredibly couture and completely pushes the boundaries of our expectation: which is why this little bottle is an incredible £285.00 and you can only pick it up from Harrods. McQueen have definitely kept the brand's ethos at the heart of this scent, rather than creating something accessible to all via our local Boots; I admire them for that, in a world where the bottom line sometimes drives commercial decisions more than the creative director's vision. Although this won't be for everyone's tastes (or budget!) it's well worth testing the scent the next time you pop into Harrods - even just to be temporarily transported into the unique gothic world of McQueen.
The Alexander Mcqueen fragrance is available exclusively from Harrods, priced £285.00 for a 50ml bottle.
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