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Black Orchid: the first women’s fragrance from iconic designer Tom Ford |
US/UK. Tom Ford’s hotly-awaited first women’s fragrance – and the debut product within the freestanding Tom Ford Beauty Collection – will be available in travel retail from 1 December at London Heathrow Airport Terminals 3 and 4, in conjunction with World Duty Free.
The fragrance was first unveiled in the US in November. The global distribution will be selective, with a staggered roll-out.
Ford and the Estée Lauder Companies announced their alliance in 2005. The partnership has so far yielded two limited-edition collections: Amber Nude and azurée, both of which reinterpreted lines from the company’s past, and gave them a more modern, edgy spin.
Black Orchid marks a new chapter, that of a separate, stand-alone Tom Ford beauty brand.
Described as luxurious and sensual, Tom Ford Black Orchid presents an “iconic statement” that perfectly captures the designer’s aesthetic philosophy, and sets the stage for the Tom Ford Beauty brand, according to the company.
The scent is designed to combine classic luxury and glamour with modernity and timelessness.
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The juice opens on notes of black truffle and ylang, mixed with bergamot and blackcurrant. The heart features a custom-made Tom Ford Black Orchid signature, blended with lotus wood and floral and fruit accords.
The base comprises a “decadent Noir Gourmand” accord, complemented by patchouli, incense and vetiver. Other key ingredients include vanilla, balsam and sandalwood.
As the fragrance name suggests, the Black Orchid flower was the key inspiration. Ford explained: “To me, it is the perfect flower, luxurious, elegant, pure, sophisticated. The only problem was that it didn’t exist.
“For centuries orchid specialists have been searching for a black orchid, but it took an orchid expert in California to create the elegant hybrid that is now recognised as the only true black orchid from nature. The moment I saw it, I knew it would be the signature for my first women’s fragrance.”
The fragrance flacon is described as classically modern and ultra glamorous. Coloured jet black, the fluted glass features Art Deco-inspired lines and hand-tied cords, plus a 23 karat gold-plated name plaque and lettering.
The outer packaging is a richly-textured gold, with a black interior and black label.
The centrepiece of the collection is a limited-edition pure black crystal perfume bottle, created by Lalique.
“For me, Lalique was the only choice,” noted Ford. “The Lalique heritage, tradition, craftsmanship and legacy of iconic fragrance bottles made the decision an easy one.
“I worked side-by-side with their master glass-makers to create the limited-edition crystal bottle. Each one is signed and numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity.”
The full Tom Ford Black Orchid line-up comprises a perfume, a 50ml and 100ml edp, plus a “sophisticated” range of ancillaries that includes a hair fragrance and cleansing oil.
The crystal perfume bottle is presented with a .5oz glass vial filled with product, and a gold funnel to pour the fragrance into the bottle. The vial is said to be perfect for travel. A black velvet pouch completes the presentation.
The advertising image, conceived and directed by Tom Ford, is designed to evoke the glamour of another era. It features Julia Restoin-Roitfeld – daughter of French Vogue Editor-In-Chief Carine Roitfeld – photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. The still life shots were the work of Irving Penn.
MORE STORIES ON ESTEE LAUDER AND TOM FORD
Tom Ford reinterprets the blues with new azurée Estée Lauder collection – 17/07/06
Tom Ford’s Estée Lauder Collection draws record-breaking crowd at Saks – 07/11/05
