Fragrances. Everybody loves a Yuletide bottle, but failure to nail the perfect person-to-perfume combo will mean only an epic Xmas fail and a swift banishment from the dinner table. No, granny did not want Rihanna’s Reb'l Fleur, nor did little brother want YSL’s Kouros. With this in mind: Welcome to TRR’s Annual Christmas Fragrance Gift Guide! Let it be said, our shit does stank and this is the indispensable, failsafe manuel au parfum to take you by the nose and lead you to exactly what to buy and for whom – including yourself. As usual, each year we wrap our nostrils round 2011’s highlights along with a soupcon of enduring classics that have kept our olfactory senses aroused over the years.

THE HE/SHE ANDROGYNOUS CONCOCTION - Maison Martin Margiela (Untitled)

Smells Like: Fresh Air

Like the elusive man himself, Martin Margiela's debut fragrance (Untitled) is as enigmatic and minimalist as they come. For Christmas 2011 (Untitled)'s apothecary-esque clinical bottle comes in a sleek, silver limited edition. The gender-ambiguous scent's main element is galbanum - an emblematic and raw material of artisanal perfumery. It's freshness is complimented by the bitterness of green boxwood and herb accents of mastic.

Maison Martin Margiela (Untitled) from 62.50 pounds for 50ml available exclusively to Selfridges

THE MODERN CLASSIC - Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb

Smells like: A Molotov Cocktail

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since this sensual, floral pong exploded onto our dressing table. What’s not to love about FB? Where do we begin? From the tactility of the grenade-like flacon to its sublime bouquet of samba jasmine, centifolia rose and catleya orchid which harmonizes with patchouli and benzoin. Flowerbomb is a true modern classic. For Christmas 2011 it's had an exquisitely dolled-up couture makeover, replete with fuchsia bows - now that's beautiful belligerence.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Xmas Edition 2011 from 76 pounds for 50ml

 
THE ‘FOR HIM’ - Bleu de Chanel

Smells Like: Franco fantastique!

OK we’re suckers for advertising. Or, well, a hot French piece of ass at least.  To our delight, the dreamy Gaspard Ulliel is still doing the rounds this year in Martin Scorcese’s Bleu de Chanel advert - so how could we not be lured to the heady charms of the scent itself..? Fortunately - like its muse - it’s intense, brooding, masculine and tres, tres alluring. One pop of the magnetized lid and an opening veil of citrussy, peppery top notes join richer accords of cedar, frankincense and moss – all making for a seriously sophisticated aroma you want generously doused over the man in your life.

Bleu de Chanel from 42 pounds for 50ml

THE COMEBACK KING - Versace Vanitas

Smells Like: Triumph over adversity

2011 will officially be remembered as The Year Versace Flew Back On The Fashion Radar. A killer collection with H&M (not to mention Gaga's two month devotion to wearing only the house) Versace's cred is sky-high. What better to underscore a successful renaissance with a hot new smell we cry? Versace Vanitas celebrates what they does best: opulence and ostentation. Voluptuous tiara flower sublimated by lime and freesia, enveloped by accents of cedar wood and tonka bean make for a seriously sensual scent.

Versace Vanitas from 38 pounds for 85ml

THE TEEN SPRAY - Miss Dior

Smells Like: Jailbait

Your little sister will forgive you that lifetime of hair-pulling, bitchslapping and general sibling-abuse if you thrust a bottle of this delicious new fruity-floral fragrance from Christian Dior into her palms this Christmas. A modern 2011 remix of the 1947 classic Miss Dior Original, “Miss Dior is a chypre that develops step by step." states creator, François Demachy . "It glides from the sharp charm of a fresh, fruity, citrus prelude into blossoming floral notes, then on to the noble elegance of patchouli, before finally concluding with musk, the last trace of memory.” We say: perfect for a teen’s naïve insouciance.  Sweet yet tender, the bow-bedecked bottle's yummy scent is underpinned with jasmine, rosa Damascena and sandalwood.

Christian Dior Miss Dior from 60.50 pounds for 50ml

THE FAILSAFE - Acqua Di Parma Gelsomino Nobile

Smells Like: Class, Bottled

Positively no one would thumb their nose at an Acqua di Parma scent, such is the faultlessness of their age, lifestyle and taste traversing appeal. AdP perfumes are less pretentious concoction, more Just Delicious Refined Smells. Gelsomino Nobile is their latest rich honey-coloured tonic for women. Both gentle yet intense, it masterfully harmonizes jasmine of Calabria with joyful top notes of mandarin, pink pepper and seductive tuberose.

Gelsomino Nobile  from 65 pounds for 50ml

THE BUY-FOR-YOURSELF-IF-NO-ONE-ELSE-WILL - Burberry Body

Smells Like: Well, not B.O. that's for sure

"The fragrance is very British and is the most sensual and feminine we've ever worked on" coo's Christopher Bailey. "It's sophisticated, it's modern and it's delicate. Rosie is this beautiful, sensual English rise and perfectly captures the spirit of Burberry." OK, OK, so we can't all look like campaign face Rosie Huntingdon Whitley but splashing on a drop of Burberry Body can get us that little bit closer (well, in our minds…) We love this new shamelessly feminine fragrance, the top notes of green absinthe, peach and freesia harmonise with rose absolute and iris forming a luxurious heady aroma.

Burberry from 38 pounds for 85ml

THE HERO/HEROINE SCENTS - Tom Ford Extreme / Violet Blonde

Smells Like: The sweet smell of SUCCESS

Nothing spells class more than the unholy scent of a Tom Ford fragrance; the tanned Texan’s gourmand fragrances are the byword in luxurious, artisan smells. When a new addition of the Ford women's apothecary arrives, we don't half get our panties in a bunch. Welcome, then, Violet Blonde: within the regal purple and gold housing lies a complex blend of sweet violet leaf, Italian mandarin and Baia rose top notes with woody lower notes of benzoin, cedarwood orpur and Haitian vetiver. Like every Ford potion it's multi-layered and utterly beguiling.

We all know there ain’t no man like a Tom Ford man and Tom Ford Extreme is like an amped up version of his classic For Men. Timeless, enduring, gentlemanly and a whole heap of other sophisto-adjectives besides, Extreme smells like what every discerning gent should. Distinctly woody, it fuses herbs and spices (Thai basil, chamomile, cinnamon) with fruity notes of black fig and plum. Accords of leather and aged patchouli nail that vintage grooming parlour ambiance.

Tom Ford Extreme from 80 pounds and Violet Blonde from 80 pounds

Posted on December 12, 2011 at 8:07:49 by The Real Runway