To me, an iconic fragrance is more than just a popular scent. An iconic perfume is the type of scent that will be recognised even by people who normally take very little interest in fragrance – even if they just remember the name.
When we normally think of fragrance icons, our minds jump back to old releases. But, 2022 has been a fantastic year for new fragrance launches – and I think that a few of them are the fragrance icons of the future. Read on to discover the top three perfumes that I think are destined to gain iconic status in years to come…
1. The Fashion-Forward Fragrance Icon
Following in the footsteps of sweet icon Candy, Prada Paradoxe has taken the fragrance world by storm as it transformed the high-fashion Prada logo into a signature scent-worthy perfume. The bottle is instantly recognisable; the pink triangular shape replicates the iconic Prada logo that sits proudly on Prada fashion pieces.
Just as recognisable is the face of the fragrance, Emma Watson. In her directorial debut, acting legend and feminist icon Emma Watson was both in front of and behind the camera. Frankly, Watson alone was enough to get people talking, but then the scent itself comes into play…
Paradoxe is a seductive amber-floral scent with clean musk and sweet vanilla undertones. The musk molecule was created specifically for Paradoxe to to give it an airy yet long-lasting musky tone – and any perfume with such a high attention to detail earns a space in my list of up-and-coming icons.
The inspirational story behind Paradoxe is to “never the same, always yourself”, encouraging you to be your truest self. In addition to its empowering narrative, Emma Watson’s directorial expertise and Paradoxe’s refillable, sustainable credentials secure Prada Paradoxe’s place as a future icon.
If you want to know more about Emma Watson’s involvement with Paradoxe and the story behind the scent, check out our edits:
2. The Ultimate Unisex Fragrance Icon
Until now, Diesel has been synonymous with hyper-masculine fragrances in the shape of the iconic Diesel fist. But, for 2022, Diesel have created one of the most forward-thinking and inclusive fragrances I have ever tried: D by Diesel.
D by Diesel is a truly unisex scent, and everyone at Escentual has fallen in love with it -it’s a good job the bottle can be refilled. D by Diesel plays with cool and warm tones, dancing between the warm sweetness of vanilla and the cool fresh tones of cotton and lavender. Although the first gingery spritz feels more typically masculine, it settles to be totally unisex – everyone loves it! This is explained by the fact that D by Diesel has been created to be as universally appealing as a pair of jeans, which mould to fit you.
The story behind the fragrance showcases Diesel’s respect for self-expression; it’s inspired by the concept of a harmonious future, where everybody can be their true selves and be respected for it. This passion comes through in the scent, and makes D by Diesel an up-and-coming fragrance icon for good reason – it’s a world we want to see.
3. The Re-Imagined Fragrance Icon
When I think of GIVENCHY’s fragrances for women, L’Interdit is the first to come to mind. First created for Audrey Hepburn in 1957, L’Interdit is an absolute classic. So, reimagining this iconic scent via a number of different flankers was always going to be a bold choice. But, of course, GIVENCHY pull it off every single time. The latest flanker – and the one that deserves a place in my list of up-and-coming fragrance icons – is the 2022 reformulation of GIVENCHY L’Interdit Eau de Toilette.
The 2019 Eau de Toilette has been replaced by an exciting new woody-floral scent that’s sure to set white floral fragrance lover’s heart ablaze. The original seductive trail of L’Interdit has been woven amongst creamy orange blossom and tuberose, with lashings of earthy patchouli added to give depth to its delicate scent. Sandalwood and musk transform L’Interdit into a thrilling floral that is beautifully sweet yet complex and enticing – once you try L’Interdit Eau de Toilette, you’ll be hooked!
L’Interdit is inspired by the thrill of the unexpected, and it offers a daring and exciting scent to match. Its initial rush of sweet florals and rich woody tones have a classic yet modern feel, which makes L’Interdit Eau de Toilette a true up-and-coming icon.
Over to you…
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