Nicole Richie managed to pull off one of the most spectacular style transformations in the entertainment industry, going from party chick to reality TV star to fashion and accessories designer and a style icon. Now, the mother of two can add perfume designer to her impressive resume as she’s just unveiled her first fragrance, Nicole by Nicole Richie.
It was only a matter of time until Nicole joined the celebrity fragrance scene as after numerous celeb names who debuted their own scents, such as Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton, the designer, who has slowly but efficiently managed to work her way to the fashion and style scene, couldn’t have passed on the opportunity to expand her expertise and conquer the beauty scene as well.
For her first fragrance, Nicole by Nicole Richie, the designer sought out inspiration from her mom, as she told WWD that “I have a very traditional Southern mom — you never left the house without lotion. Over her lotion went oil and perfume — she was very put together from head to toe. It wasn’t just a one-dimensional smell — there were many different layers”. And apparently, to make sure the finished product is everything she imagined it to be, she personally collaborated with Steve DeMercado of Fragrance Resources, while for the bottle design, Nicole took matters into her own hands and created her very own design with the help of designer Dale Brandon Kan.
For the scent, Nicole chose a mix of sweet and woody ingredients, such as blackberry and Seville orange, golden amber, Moroccan rose, lily of the valley and papyrus, which gorgeously clash to deliver the scent’s irresistible heart notes, while cashmere woods, sandalwood, sugared patchouli and vanilla deliver the base accords. The mix reveals itself in layers allowing the scent to be pleasantly surprising as the hours go by.
Although she says she does consider herself a feminine girl, Nicole confessed that she didn’t want the image of her fragrance to be uber-girly, thus she opted for an Art-Deco inspired bottle design which is elegant, sexy and chic at the same time, while for the outer box the elements switch to Art Nouveau with a vintage touch, which exude modernism with a timeless appeal. As far as the effect she was aiming for, Nicole says that:
“I wanted it to represent different layers of a woman, which is what I try to do with Winter Kate and House of Harlow 1960. I’m very particular in the way that I create. We’re in an interesting time right now where women aren’t just one thing — there are many different parts to a woman. So I wanted to create a very intricate bottle that was still elegant, but not so in-your-face girly at the same time.”
The fragrance’s advertising shot will be created by Anthony Mandler and will debut in September. Nicole by Nicole Richie will be available in two sizes, 1.7 oz. and 3.4 oz., which will retail for about $55 respectively $69. For those who are looking for a complete set, the line will also feature a body lotion and a bath and shower gel, so keep your eyes open for the moment it hits the shelves to give it a test and see if it suits your personality.
Photos by Courtesy Photo via WWD, Getty Images
