Ralph Lauren will launch The Ralph Lauren Collection Fragrances, with 10 unisex fragrances "positioned around the opulent experience of travel". There are two fragrances each for five destinations: Riviera Dream, Legacy of English Elegance, Song of America, Portrait of New York and Treasures of Safari.
Legacy of English Elegance
Rose ~ developed by perfumer Calice Becker, with black currant, Damascena rose and patchouli. ["Exquisite and full-bodied Damascena Rose is enhanced with fruity Black Currant accord and subtle Patchouli to create a classically feminine scent that balances fresh green notes with warm honey wood accents, reminiscent of a lush London garden."]
White Tea ~ developed by perfumer Carlos Benaim. ["Leafy and subtle woody notes of Maté leaves open the smooth White Tea accord. Fruity Apricot and the floral texture of Osmanthus add graceful accents to the aroma of tea leaves for this delicate blend that honors a grand tradition of high tea in the English countryside."]
Portrait of New York
Vetiver ~ developed by perfumer Harry Fremont, with cardamom, black pepper and vetiver. ["A rich fragrance of pure distinction, the smoky woodiness of the finest Haitian Vetiver is enhanced with contrasting fresh Green Cardamom and fiery Black Pepper, capturing the enchantment of a New York City soirée."]
White Lily ~ developed by perfumer Harry Fremont, with pink pepper, Casablanca lily and vanilla. ["A dramatic bouquet inspired by the grandeur of Ralph Lauren's Madison Avenue Mansion, featuring captivating White Casablanca Lily, a voluptuous white floral with hints of peach, nuanced with creamy Madagascar Vanilla and spicy Pink Pepper."]
Riviera Dream
Lime ~ developed by perfumer Calice Becker, with a headspace note taken from a thawing frozen lime. ["The freshest essence of Lime is masterfully captured and nuanced with aromatic Lavandin, vivid Bergamot and Cedrat for an invigorating fragrance that conjures the pristine brightness of a coastal retreat."]
Orange Flower ~ developed by perfumer Harry Fremont. ["The purity of Orange Flower blossom is captured in the freshest way. A luminous fragrance that carries the elegance of a garden party, featuring a sparkling blend of delicate Orange Flower bloom with Neroli and accented with juicy Mandarin and warm amber woods."]
Song of America
Sage ~ developed by perfumer Harry Fremont. ["Rugged yet refined, Sage possesses a rare balance of green, aromatic and chocolate notes. This spirited blend of herbaceous Sage, fruity Green Fig accord and earthy ambery Fir Balsam is inspired by the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains."]
Magnolia ~ developed by perfumer Carlos Benaim. ["The rare bloom of Magnolia offers a brightness and velvety floral texture. The fragrance opens with bright Lemon and finishes with woody Patchouli, translating the warm brilliance of an early spring sunrise into a fragrance of casual grace."]
Treasures of Safari
Amber ~ developed by perfumer Carlos Benaim. ["One of the most treasured accords in perfumery, precious Amber accord is textured with dark Bourbon Vanilla, rich Labdanum resin and enveloping Benzoin to create a warm and velvety fragrance, painting a vision of a sunset over the Sahara."]
Oud ~ developed by perfumer Carlos Benaim. ["Oud, one of the world's most precious oils, is masterfully blended with smoky Guaiac Wood, smoldering incense and earthy Cedarwood to create an exciting, exotic scent with the spirit of the African Savannah."]
The Ralph Lauren Collection fragrances will launch later this summer, and will be available in 50 ($140) or 100 ($240) ml Eau de Parfum. Other items will include kidskin leather sleeves ($300), a leather travel case ($3,900), travel diffuser ($65), candles and body cream. The collection will be available at Bergdorf Goodman and at the Ralph Lauren boutique on Madison Avenue; other locations will include Palacio de Hierro (Mexico City), Oberpollinger (Munich) and Tsum (Moscow).
(via wwd)
Update: the descriptions above in brackets are via Bergdorf Goodman.
Interesting…and nice that they come in smaller sizes…one more reason to try to get my little self to NYC and Bergdorf some time soon!
The prices aren’t all that bad either, if you can live without the leather case. Plus, suspect there will be travel sized refills?
Oh dear, another collection, why not make one really good perfume and be done with it for the year?
austenfan, I could not agree more! So many new collections from almost every house and all we want and need is one good one. That is what I like about Aedes–one a year, and Vero even a longer hiatus between a new release.
It’s the new oud. And it includes oud.
10 scents get you all kinds of press (10 times as much? maybe) and they take up a lot of counter space in the boutique/department store. It’s all about stunning the consumer with sheer mass. If you go to the store, smell the new Ralph Lauren, and don’t care for it, you don’t buy it: but if there are ten and you smell three, there’s a much better chance you’ll buy one of them.
I don’t like this any more than you do but there is certain hideous economic logic to it.
I know, but it still stinks.
I’d just be happy to have the original Lauren and Safari back…
But that you will not get.
Half hearted snark:
1) Is New York NOT America?
2) Would precious oud be something you wear on safari, even the most luxurious one?
The safari set seems particularly odd…not sure how either amber or oud fits.
I was just thinking about this! If you’re going to evoke colonialism to sell a luxury product, it does seem like the least you could do is be geographically (ethnobotanically?) accurate.
In the end I don’t think it matters one bit. All it says on the bottle is Oud. These brands all think they’re selling experiences not fragrances because they assume consumers are paying avid attention to backstory, which in its own way is sort of touching. I don’t care how many tweets they get, the number of consumers paying that sort of attention is minimal at best.
Well, if it is real oud or something that simulates it it does fit a safari with its mannure aroma.
It wouldn’t be a collection without an oud, rose and an amber fragrance. But i’m surprised to see a sage one.
Which major mainstream brand still doesn’t have their exclusive collection?
I’m surprised Burberry hasn’t done one.
Michael Kors… Burberry… Estee Lauder… Marc Jacobs… Gucci… More i am Sure…
Estee Lauder has the Private Collection (Tuberose Gardenia and the others) AND the Aerin Collection. Marc Jacobs had a very large Splash Collection and they just re-released 3 of them (they kept the price, and changed the size from 300ml to 50ml). Gucci has the Flora Collection ( Magnolia etc) and all the perfumes from Michael Korrs seem to be a part of the same (not exclusive) collection.
The Estee Private Collection wasn’t a Prestige line.. kind of a Labratory for Aerin Lauder… and considering the price point, the AERIN line is nowhere near considered a Prestige line… And the Marc Jacobs Splash collection would hardly fall into the category either.
I was so excited when I first red this, I thought maybe they were bringing their classics back (Safari, Lauren -non-reformulated-, Tuxedo, etc.) Instead is just another “ego-scentric” brain fart that will probably be forgotten in 6 months.
Yes. Also, Monogram. Sigh…