Have you noticed how most designer fashion houses produce their own fragrances? On the one hand you have brands that are fragrance specialists, such as Creed, Czech & Speake, D.R. Harris, Penhaligon's and Acqua di Parma which focus on grooming products rather than men's fashion. On the other hand a great many designer menswear companies sell grooming products under their own labels, from high street brands such as Hugo Boss and Abercrombie & Fitch to the luxury end of the market such as Tom Ford, Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani and Versace.
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| Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giõ and Versace Man Eau Fraîche |
Most of my favourite products are from specialist brands such as Acqua di Parma and D. R. Harris so I thought I'd try a couple of men's designer wear 'own label' fragrances. I knew neither of the two I chose, but was drawn to them on the basis of their product descriptions.
Firstly I selected a Versace perfume, Eau Fraîche. This is described as having rosewood and lemon top notes on a base of amber and woody scents. These are my preferences over floral notes and I wasn't disappointed. Versace Man Eau Fraîche is just that, fresh - and slightly lemony on a more complex base that lasts well without being overpowering. The woody elements are very subtle, so that the aquatic freshness is preserved with time.
Firstly I selected a Versace perfume, Eau Fraîche. This is described as having rosewood and lemon top notes on a base of amber and woody scents. These are my preferences over floral notes and I wasn't disappointed. Versace Man Eau Fraîche is just that, fresh - and slightly lemony on a more complex base that lasts well without being overpowering. The woody elements are very subtle, so that the aquatic freshness is preserved with time.
The second I tried is an Armani perfume, Acqua di Giõ. This is described as having top notes of jasmine and lime, with 'sea notes' and scents including rosemary and cedar. To my nose it is slightly more floral than the Versace, but this is kept in check by a subtly of character and a distinctive seaside character and, indeed, the fragrance is associated with the Italian island of Pantelleria where Giorgio Armani used to spend his time.
On balance the Armani is my favourite of the two, but, as ever, choice of scent is so personal that I always hesitate to recommend specific products, other than to describe them and suggest you try them.
I can understand why menswear designer houses market fragrances such as these. His choice of cologne marks a man as much as his taste in clothes. The brand that supports its clothing collections with high quality fragrances offers consumers a package that enables them to express themselves comprehensively through their sartorial and fragrance preferences.
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