22.02.12

Since Gabrielle Chanel first smelled the roses, designers have grown to depend heavily on fragrance sales to keep their couture houses in the money. It fast adds up that there are many more customers for a perfume priced under $200 than for a designer dress or suit costing $2000 to $20,000, or for haute couture as high as $200,000.

Bottling the cachet of couture is not a failsafe earner, however, because every year far more fragrances fade away than remain favourites, but get it right and it's a goldmine. Sadly, though, too many of the launches are veritable fast fashion in a bottle, initially appealing but without much individuality or staying power.

Of the big 2011 launches one which is likely to prove a keeper is the first fragrance from red carpet designer Elie Saab (30ml, $108). It matches his design aesthetic, marrying elegance and glamour. Which got us thinking about how well some of the others do at bottling the essence of a label.

1.

Source: New Zealand Herald