Scent of a WOMAN
Elegant, subtle, irreverent, and FLIRTY— that’s Valentina—a fragrance that celebrates FEMININITY. By Jhelum Biswas Bose
It was on a balmy evening in Singapore, that I first caught a whiff of this delicate fragrance from the house of Valentino, which strikes just the right balance between elegance and irreverence. The perfume is a composition of contrasts and these paradoxes are expressed through the rare, floral Oriental notes. The scent opens with a burst of citrusy notes, but they are so delicate that even a trained nose will find it hard to pinpoint these as Calabrian bergamot stirred up with white Alba truffles. The coming together of jasmine with orange blossoms almost makes you mark it off as a young, fruity, floral fragrance, but the dry down of cedar and amber gives it unexpected character and maturity. Here’s more on the fragrance and how to wear it.
WHO IS VALENTINA? The creative directors of the couture brand, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, say that in creating the scent, they drew inspiration from “a new generation of women who inherited everything one can ever dream of—aristocratic roots, outrageous wealth, elegance, and distinction”. The essence of these women is beautifully captured in the perfume’s ad campaign where Danish model Freja Beha essays the role of an Italian heiress who reinvents the codes of glamour and charm, with a hint of rebellion. She’s like a modern-day Juliet who escapes the magnificent birthday party thrown by her parents to celebrate it in her own way in the streets of Rome. In short, Valentina is very Italian, yet she is that new-age woman who is a curious blend of power and vulnerability. She’s seductive but is almost, as it were, unaware of it; strikingly beautiful, yet one who likes to play it down.
WHAT WOULD SHE WEAR? A power dress with delicate lace trimmings would best complement this perfume. Perhaps an LBD that is slightly rock and roll, yet is feminine, chic, sensuous, and elegant.
HOW WOULD SHE LOOK? Minimal makeup best suits the Valentina woman. If you choose to wear this fragrance, let your skin look fresh and dewy, and just line the eyes with kohl, with a touch of mascara. Wind-blown, carefree, casual hair completes this über-sensuous look.
HOW WOULD SHE WEAR A SCENT? A perfume is best worn when used in combination with its bath and body lines. Using these helps layer the fragrance, making it last longer. As for the perfume itself, spray it on your neck, behind ears, and shoulders, and let the sensuous vapours envelop you.
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