I do love a GUCCI fragrance (who doesn’t?). Like almost everyone I know, I had a very long affair with GUCCI Rush. I loved the way it made me feel when I wore it – sophisticated, sexy, sultry and just a bit naughty. Whenever I catch a whiff of it, it takes me way back to my modeling days. I’ve moved on since Rush and have subsequently flirted with a few other GUCCI scents – Guilty & Première EDP being my favourites.
The GUCCI Première fragrance line takes its inspiration from the GUCCI Première couture collection that debuted at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. These luxurious evening gowns were created for the biggest Hollywood like: Salma Hayek, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Naomi Watts and Kate Beckinsale.
The newly launched GUCCI Première EDT is a follow on from the hugely successful GUCCI Première EDP – a heady blend of creamy, intoxicating floral’s with sweet musk base. While I really, really like the original EDP, I think I actually prefer the lighter and fresher version of the EDT. I find it’s more wearable and accessible.
All the accords used in the original are still there, they’re just softer and more feminine. Bright and luminous top notes of orange blossom and citrus oils give the scent a lovely fresh, floral and almost effervescent vibe. The heart notes of freesia, Bulgarian Rose and jasmine, embroidered with sexy musk lends a wonderfully feminine bouquet to the EDT. The final accord of smoky leather, creamy woods and sultry patchouli really give the scent a captivating charisma.
Miss Lively sums up the scent pretty well with the following quote: ‘for me, fragrance is bottled confidence. You spray it and you immediately feel empowered – there’s a sensuality that comes with fragrance and there’s a power that fragrance has on other people. But while GUCCI Première represents a red carpet moment or a big night out, the new Eau de Toilette version is softer. It has all the great presence of the original, but dialed down and freshened up. You really can wear it as your everyday fragrance.”
I got quite a cool Q&A with Blake Lively from the local GUCCI PR and thought you may be interested to read about her thoughts on fragrance & glamour.
What does everyday glamour mean to you?
Glamour is very much a state of mind. There were points early on in my life when I wanted to look like someone else, or I dressed in a way that wasn’t necessarily representative of who I was. But, I learned very quickly that style and confidence has to come from within. It’s what makes you feel your most graceful, elegant and empowered self. You can be glamorous in jeans and a t-shirt or you can have it dressed up in your finest. It’s really about finding that woman that you want to be.
What role do you think perfume plays in a woman’s life?
Fragrance is very much part of creating an identity. Scents evoke very, very powerful memories, whether it’s the scent of someone that you know, and someone that you love, or if it’s a meal that your mom made. It’s an incredible tool to have and to say – this is my identity, this who I am now, this is who I want to be, and this is what I want people to remember me by. It’s one of the things that’s most impactful because we have so many visual references, some of which with fade in your memory with time, but you never forget a scent. It just grabs you. It’s a neat part of life.
How does fragrance play a role in your everyday beauty process?
Fragrance plays a big role in one’s identity. One of the very few things that I do every single day is put on fragrance. If I’m not wearing makeup, if my hair’s not done, if I’m walking around in pajamas – I still put my fragrance on. I will brush my teeth and put on my perfume. It’s who I am no matter what version of myself I am. It’s the smell that I want to identify with and so it’s directly linked to me in every way.
Prices for GUCCI Première EDT are as follows:
- 30ml R700.00
- 50ml R855.00
- 75ml R1,195.00
GUCCI Première EDT is available at leading retailers including Edgars, Red Square, Truworths, Foschini and Stuttafords stores nationwide.
