FRANCE. Yves Saint Laurent Beauté has launched Stella, the first women’s fragrance from UK designer Stella McCartney. The line began rolling out worldwide on 13 September – McCartney’s 32nd birthday.
The fragrance juice is based around notes of rose – a much-loved scent from the designer’s childhood – complemented by a base of woody ambers. “I wanted a smell that reflected my English side, something very traditional,” commented McCartney. “At the same time I wanted to take my favourite smells and put them together in the same way that I use opposites and contradictions in my fashion design. So the concept for the perfume was to try and create something pure and uncomplicated. I wanted a smell that was delicate, feminine – rose – mixed with a sexier and darker edge – amber.”
The Stella line-up features 50ml and 100ml edp sprays, a 200ml exfoliating shower gel and a 200ml body lotion. The recommended price points range from €24 to €60 (US$28 to US$71).
In line with McCartney’s environmental beliefs, the body products contain no artificial preservatives, no animal content, no genetically-modified raw materials and no raw materials in ecological danger. “I wanted the formulas to be as natural as possible,” she explained. “Prioritising natural ingredients and introducing holistic properties is new at luxury goods level.”
The faceted fragrance flacon, reminiscent of an amethyst crystal, was designed by McCartney herself and is deliberately jewel-like. The outer carton is padded, like a jewellery box.
McCartney herself posed for the print ad campaign.
