Scents, in general, come typecasted according to gender. Even in 2018, where binaries are steadily being shattered, there is no getting around the fact that certain aromas are bracketed as feminine, while others, masculine. In the face of these norms, Italian luxury label, Prada, has stepped in with their latest line of perfumes to dismantle the stereotype.
Prada Olfactories is a line of ten new scents designed to be unisex. Perfumer Daniela Andrier worked with creative director Miuccia Prada to concoct both narrative and components for the range, and as a result, all the scents have become a merger between opposites that should never work together, but do so with elegance.
Take, for instance, Purple Rain. The scent, which teases to a song by the late pop star Prince, juxtaposes florals with intense oils like vetiver and neroli. The result is an earthy perfume with a bright dash of iris to balance sensuality with freshness. Another testament to the marriage between contrasts that Prada Olfactories tout is Tainted Love, a perfume that effuses the scent of a new lipstick. Violet flowers bring a whisper of powdery comfort to the top notes of the perfume, which steadily develops into a hefty musk notes as it wears on the skin.
Every perfume in Prada Olfactories is built upon a strong concept, whether it be beauty, travel experiences, or people, and none are limited to use by a single gender. Accompanying graphic illustrations emphasise the abstract vision that the range holds true, where surreal collages composed for each expression convey the mood the scent tries to gun for.
Chic packaging completes the Prada Olfactories parade. All the juices are coloured with its own peculiar tint, poured into clear glass flagons that carry a simple label etched with the saffiano leather texture the brand is known for. The flagons are then stored in silk pouches with one-of-a-kind patterns, making all individual perfumes collectable.
Prada Olfactories is a prominent step forward in perfumery simple because of its courage to blur the lines between art and fragrance, male and female, fresh and seductive. Whatever your preference, this line has a bottle for you.
Prada Olfactories are priced at S$440 for 100ml per scent. Available at the Prada fragrance counter at Takashimaya Department Store and select Prada boutiques islandwide.
Beatrice Bowers
Features Editor
Beatrice Bowers writes about beauty, drinks, and other nice things. When not bound to her keyboard, she moonlights as a Niffler for novels and can be found en route to bankruptcy at your nearest bookstore. Don't tell her boss.
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