Love At Chapter One: Perfumes For Valentine’s Day 2013

Hamlet & Ophelia from Hamlet
For him: Elsinore’s ill-fated prince would have to wear a scent riddled with conflicts and contrasts. In fact, he’d probably throw sanity to the wind and choose a creation aimed at women. Jacques Cavallier‘s Nu (YSL), with its unfathomable, compelling heart of wood and incense has his name written all over its complex personality.
For her: Guerlain’s Après L’Ondée is often called the Ophelia of fragrances, and it would certainly have been my first choice here. But in the interests of originality, I’ll suggest Amouage’s Opus III as another suitable candidate. It’s bleak, haunted and gauze-like, and yet it also carries hints of the power which Ophelia reveals in her final moments.

Newland Archer & Ellen Olenska from The Age Of Innocence
For him: Many perfumes strive for effortless nobility, yet few achieve the fine balance between authority and unobtrusiveness. Jean-Paul Guerlain‘s Derby is one of that rare breed: a refined, aristocratic blend of woods and balsams which seems to grow more complex and more fascinating with each wearing.
For her: The object of Newland’s thwarted affections is alluring partly because she represents the exoticism of foreign lands and partly because she’s imperfect. Cue: Maurice Roucel’s Dans Tes Bras for Frederic Malle. Its floral aspect is reassuring, but its patchouli facet suggests mystery. And finally, the overdose of synthetic musk in its base feels both unpolished and irrefutably right, much like Olenska herself.

Count Almasy & Katherine Clifton from The English Patient

For him: Michael Ondaatje’s insatiable explorer cuts straight to the heart, so he’d dispense with redundant top notes and reach for a creation that is all base. Lalique’s Encre Noire would fit the bill very well: composed of little more than vetivert and musks, it is heavy, dense and it accepts no compromise.
For her: Katherine’s scent would avoid ruffling the sensitive feathers of 1930s England, but it would also hint at an unexpressed desire for a life beyond the Channel. Guerlain’s Vetiver Pour Elle – accessible, polite and quietly evocative – would suit her well… not least because she would recognise its more potent cousin in the scent worn by her Hungarian count.

Mr Stevens & Miss Kenton from The Remains Of The Day
For him: It goes without saying that Stevens wouldn’t wear a fragrance whilst on duty. But in his private moments, before reaching for the romance novels into which he escapes, he may well dab a few drops of Hermès‘ Eau D’Orange Verte on his skin. Simple, joyous and fleeting, it would lift his soul and then disappear, keeping his modesty intact.
For her: Miss Kenton would probably see perfume as an unnecessary luxury, although she’d treasure the few bottles she’d receive as gifts. Every now and then, she’d cast her mind to the past, open her treasured flacon of Chanel‘s Bois Des Iles and breathe in the all-consuming sophistication of rose and sandalwood… a promise of what might once have been.

Han Solo & Princess Leia from Star Wars
For him: It’s got to be a beast of a scent for a man who responds to the words “I love you” with “I know.” Of course, Kouros, Jules, Antaeus et al come to mind, but as he’s a fighter, I’ll go for Yatagan, Caron‘s über-aromatic cocktail of woods, herbs and, if certain reports are to be believed, oud. Plus I’m sure Chewbacca wouldn’t mind pinching some for himself.
For her: Leia would have to select a scent that would stand up to Han’s, reflect her royal status and also convey the spiritual bent of her ancestry. An excellent choice would be Andy Tauer’s Incense Rosé: gutsy, sensuous, deeply contemplative… and possessed of the power to make her ditch the dodgy hair dos.

A very happy Valentine’s Day to you and your special someone.

Persolaise


PS Final reminder: the deadline for entering the draw for a sample of Chanel’s brand new 1932 is Monday night (UK time).