Case Study

Celebrity Perfumes

In the glamorous world of luxury and allure, where a scent can define one's essence, many celebrities have found their way into the perfume industry. From pop icons to movie stars, launching a personal fragrance has become a popular way for celebrities to extend their brand. This article explores how various stars have turned their unique personas into signature scents.

Lady Gaga

Fame

Fame, Lady Gaga's fragrance, was launched on August 22, 2012, at the Guggenheim Museum and Macy's stores in the United States, and in various stores across the United Kingdom, with a worldwide release in September. The fragrance, created through Gaga's Haus Laboratories in partnership with Coty, Inc., features notes of atropa belladonna, tiger orchid, incense, apricot, saffron, and honey. Gaga signed a fragrance deal with Coty Inc. in September 2010, initially rumored to be named Monster. Stephen Mormoris, senior vice president of global marketing at Coty Beauty, described Gaga as a "phenomenon" and a "fascinating cultural force," hoping her widespread appeal would energize the market. Fame was nominated for several FiFi Fragrance Foundation Awards.

Elizabeth Taylor

White Diamonds, Elizabeth Taylor's sheer floral fragrance released in 1991, is one of the best-selling celebrity perfumes and a classic example of top-tier scents. Created by Carlos Benaim, its success inspired many other celebrities to launch their own fragrances. The perfume features a harmonious blend of flowers and aldehydes, giving it an elegant vintage nuance. Top notes include aldehydes, bergamot, neroli, orange, and lily, while the heart combines violet, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, Egyptian tuberose, and narcissus. The base comprises oak moss, patchouli, musk, sandalwood, and amber. In 2009, White Diamonds was inducted into the Fragrance Foundation's Hall of Fame.

Rihanna

Reb'l Fleur, the first women's fragrance endorsed by Rihanna, launched in the U.S. on January 25, 2011, and in the U.K. on August 19, 2011. The name, which means "Rebel Flower," reflects Rihanna's Barbadian roots and personal style. Marketed with the tagline "Bad feels so good," it received positive reviews and achieved notable commercial success. The perfume features a sweet and fruity aroma, blending floral and gourmand notes, with initial scents of plum, red berries, and a hint of peach.

Jennifer Lopez

Glow
Still

Glow, created by Louise Turner and Catherine Walsh in 2002, was initially conceived by Jennifer Lopez in 1998 as part of a lifestyle line. Despite initial doubts, it became America's top-selling fragrance with top notes of Neroli, Orange Blossom, and Grapefruit; middle notes of Jasmine, Rose, and Tuberose; and base notes of Musk, Sandalwood, Orris Root, Amber, and Vanilla. Jennifer Lopez's follow-up fragrance, Still, faced skepticism due to her film Gigli's negative publicity and a managerial fallout. Industry experts feared it would damage Glow's success, but Still ultimately achieved commercial success. Together, Glow and Still generated over $300 million in revenue.

Elvis Presley

Teddy Bear Eau de Parfum

In 1957, Teen-Age Perfumes Inc. of New York released Elvis Presley's Teddy Bear Eau de Parfum. This vintage cologne embodies Elvis's enduring appeal during the height of his fame. Today, it stands as a treasured collection for those who admire the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Britney Spears

Curious
Fantasy

Curious is Britney Spears' first perfume, co-developed with Elizabeth Arden and launched in 2004. Created by Claude Dir, the perfume quickly became the best-selling perfume of the year, generating sales of over $100 million and eventually selling over 700 million bottles in 2011. It was followed by the perfume, Fantasy and Believe.

Audrey Hepburn

L'Interdit

L'Interdit is a perfume created by Hubert de Givenchy in 1957 and designed by Francis Fabron. This perfume has a delicate aldehyde floral scent with notes of rose, jasmine, violet, and a blend of wood and grass. The perfume was made specifically for Audrey Hepburn, who wore it for a year before it was released to the public, and Hepburn became the first actress to become the face of a perfume.

Beyonce

Heat

Heat is a perfume endorsed by Beyoncé, co-created with Claude Dir and Olivier Gillotin of Givaudan, and released on February 3, 2010. Macy's sold the perfume for US$3 million between early February and early March 2010. Heat followed by five additional releases and became the best-selling celebrity perfume line in 2013, with global sales reaching $400 million.