Viva La Diva!
July 10th, 2007
Today Marina from Perfume-Smellin’ Things and myself are presenting to you yet another joint project: the diva perfumes. I won’t go into much detail as to what that implies (Marina has already done an excellent job!) except for saying a diva perfume to me is potent, compelling, demanding, and somewhat rebellious. I’ve come up with ten of such scents but, needless to say, there are more. Now imagine these perfume divas at a party, all in the same room. The party is thrown by a very influential man (let’s say, Chanel Egoiste). Their attendance is an essential career move as well as an invaluable opportunity to network. Here’s what I see:
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique busts in (literally) with her curvy shape, giving everybody kisses and leaving bright red lipstick stains (she never goes by Classique alone to make sure everybody knows she’s Jean Paul Gaultier’s). Poison immediately shoots venomous glares at Classique while stomping the floor with her super high heels and blinding everybody with her shimmering purple halter dress of rather indecent length. Meanwhile, in the midst of such steaminess, Madame Fracas and Lady Joy repose in the corner, both in utter shock over such impudent, non-ladylike behavior. They’ve lived, they’ve loved and been loved, they’ve endured, and they’ve seen it all but this? Quelle horreur! Nevertheless, they’re smiling perpetually, exuding the most pleasant, friendly demeanor, while, in reality, there’s an argument going on between them. The nature of the argument consists of who’s the headiest. It looks like they’ll never agree - which is only to be expected as both possess enough headiness to out-heady them all. Shalimar floats through the room gracefully performing an occasional belly dance on demand. She feels quite out of place in this room void of Heavy Orientals. Paloma Picasso and Cabochard seem to have formed quite a companionship sipping wine and smoking endlessly. Both sturdy feminists, they also seem to be engaged in a heated discussion, completely disregarding everybody else. Patou 1000 is the best dressed of the night, no doubt, wearing a luxurious white silk dress, a string of pearls, and a sparkling golden bracelet. She’s composed and placid, keeping occasional company to her cousin Lady Joy (only to be ignored by her). Black Orchid and Donna Karan Gold pass the time at the bar utterly inebriated. They’re here only to put in an appearance. Black Orchid’s outfit is rather striking - a wild mix of “80s meet 60s”. She indulges in exuberance, clearly. Donna Karan Gold has a bit more class, although still revealing a bit too much, showing off her bulky golden jewelry. Overall, it’s quite an impressive gathering. However, there’s a certain forced, stifling air that’s undeniably quite irritating for the ones present (although they try hard to hide it). You can witness regular glances at the clock and certain uneasiness. Well, these are Divas, after all. They each need their own, unshared audience and praise.
What other perfumes do you consider Divas, and what would they do at a party like this?
Image source: courtesy Ms. Colombina
Entry Filed under: Perfume Reviews, This and That
25 Comments Add your own
1. Benvenuta | July 11th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Oh, I love this scene! Classique is exactly like that! But she`s only a diva wannabe, while JPG Fragile, while not so refined as divas of old, steals the spotlight from her with her statuesque poses and languid movements.
Your description of Mille is perfect, and it`s true that Joy ignores her.
In my opinion, a woman cannot be a diva and a feminist at the same time - yet a perfume can. Paloma, Cabochard and Bandit are fitting for both divas and staunch feminists. For some reason, I don`t think this is true of any fruity chypre - only of leather and floral chypres.
Excellent post, Ina! Also, you are very fetching in red.
2. Flora | July 11th, 2007 at 12:22 am
Correction: Oops I guess those HTML tags DON”‘T work! Here is what that was supposed to say:
LOL - very spot-on imagery for those “ladies!”
Carnal Flower comes to the party with one thing in mind: to steal someone’s man. However, she ends up getting in a catfight with Rose de Nuit instead, because they are both trying to steal a man AND they both are wearing the same dress, albeit in different colors - Carnal Flower is in a white satin bias-cut Thirties number with lots of cleavage, a platinum blonde looking a little too much like Jean Harlow for the comfort level of the others in the room, while Rose de Nuit has the same dangerous gown on, but hers is a deep garnet red that shows her every treacherous curve and sets off her wild jet-black hair. It ends in a draw.
3. Maria B. | July 11th, 2007 at 12:25 am
This is such a funny scenario. However, I’m shocked, shocked
that fragrances that little old non-diva me has been known to wear with confidence are actually diva fare! Fracas? Shalimar? Oh, my gosh, and did Flora say Bandit? Mais non! That canot be. Paloma Picasso I believe. 
4. dinazad | July 11th, 2007 at 3:04 am
Tabu is arriving in grand style. Late, of course, since only a very late arrival will give her the attention she needs in such an assortment of divas. Wearing coppersilk and gold sequins, feathers and a loooooong train, her silver hair immaculately and spectacularly coiffed. She is a diva of long standing, a bit Norma Desmond-y, but then: once a diva always a diva. Definitely. And she’s gonna show those young upstarts what a real diva is.
Habanita is flouncing about in a red-and-black flamenco outfit, cigarette-holder with Egyptian cigarette in hand, and since there are few men about, to her great distress, she is doing the next best thing: discussing men and affairs with the very opulent (and not afraid to show it), friends-with-anybody- especially-men, big-hearted Rumba. La Nuit hovers nearby, in a sleek, steel-coloured dress, inserting a drop of subtle poison into the conversation every now and then and revelling in the fact that her companions don’t realise just how poisonous her remarks are.
And Dark Rose, snow-white skin (and decolletage) and auburn hair set off by a dark red gown so dark it’s almost black, a Pre-Raffaelite heroine with a private page who strews rose petals before her? She is looking for a place to stand and observe - and make plans. Whether any of the other guests will become an admirer, a victim or an accomplice is her secret alone.
Youth Dew is shouldering her way in - her entourage has squashed the protesting doorman against the wall to let her pass. She’s a diva, dammit, no matter what they say, and she’s not going to let anybody keep her from a party where she rightly belongs.
Shocking, in her Schiaparelli gown, cloche hat and sable stole, is laughing . She thinks the party is grand fun and is looking forward to picking up Cabochard just around the corner and having a great time snickering about the gals at the party and guzzling champagne in the back of her burgundy-coloured Bentley. Unlikely friends they are, but their friendship is an old and tried one. But right now, she’ll have another drink and laugh with her daughter, the new Shocking. After all, they don’t see each other that often. And hey, there’s Femme, all in black lace and platinum hair, batting false eye-lashes at a dapper gentleman. She might be persuaded to join them in the Bentley later on!
5. Elle | July 11th, 2007 at 5:54 am
I’m going to focus on the guests who didn’t make it inside first. Cradle of Light arrived at about the same time as Micallef’s Hiver and both were standing outside below the steps, chatting and admiring each other’s outfits. Hiver had on a long D&G turquoise velvet coat w/ a large, wine colored fake fur collar (an homage to her mother, Lulu). CoF had on a vintage white silk tailored Norrell gown (an homage to her great great aunt). Ungaro’s Diva arrived, fashionably late for her own party, wearing a very chic silk ruffled floral number, but she also was delayed in entering, due to some rather enjoyable flirting w/ her extremely handsome chauffeur. All three had begun to make their way up the steps, however, when Norma Kamali screeched up in her black Hummer w/ her bodyguard, Incense. Norma K isn’t one to waste time. She stormed out of the car, tossed the keys at the valet and raced up the steps in her sky high platforms. CoL, Hiver and Diva never stood a chance. Norma was not one to under apply and all fell down in a dead faint in the wake of her killer silage. Shortly after entering the party, the rest of the guests started to drop like flies as well. Norma and Incense were too wrapped up in each other to care much and, besides, they enjoyed having all the champagne for themselves.
6. Leopoldo | July 11th, 2007 at 6:58 am
I’m too scared to even try the door. I’m pretty sure I’m not on the guestlist.
7. dinazad | July 11th, 2007 at 7:27 am
But of course you’d be invited, Leo - no diva party without a handsome gossip columnist!
8. Marina | July 11th, 2007 at 7:42 am
Can I come too Egoiste’s party too? Please? I will hang out with Black orchid and Gold. They seem to be having fun
9. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Marina, you can only join them if invited, i.e., you have to be a diva perfume. Which one are you? I’m keeping track.
10. Marina | July 11th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Ina,
I will be one non-Diva at the party. Very refined and elegant, wearing Chanel No 22. Of course Egoiste will fall in love with me straightaway. And the rest, as you say, will be history.
11. AngelaS | July 11th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Hey, this party is busy! But still, Narcisse Noir is knocking at the door…
12. tmp00 | July 11th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Can I come? I promise not to wear Giorgio..
13. Lucy | July 11th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Wonderful post! But it makes me realize all the more how the frightened I am of the Diva fragrances…no sense of boundaries a-go-go. Must be my inner librarian speaking.
14. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Benvenuta, I can’t help but agree on the leather chypres! Ah, Fragile, but of course! She’s definitely in the spotlight.
15. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Flora, ooh, more steaminess! I like that.
16. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Maria, nothing wrong with occasional divas, huh?
17. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Dinazad, LOL at your entire description! Spot on! Oh how I wish I could be one of the attendees.
18. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Elle, LOL! NK Incense in her Hummer! You slay me. Brilliant!
19. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Leo, neither am I but I’m peeking in anyways.
‘Tis fun.
20. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Dinazad, exactly! We need you there, Leo.
21. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Marina, Egoiste will pretend he doesn’t know you all night long, only to sweep you in his selfish arms as soon as the guests leave and take your breath away… what comes out of that encounter deserves a post of its own.
22. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Angela, sure enough she is! Plastic surgery and all, but she still looks splendid.
23. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Tom, you can come and Giorgio can come! Actually, you must accompany Giorgio so she doesn’t take all the attention.
24. Ina | July 11th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Lucy, oh, they’re not to be afraid of. They just need a special approach and can be tamed. Sometimes.
25. Aline et Valcour | July 12th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Hey this bi@tch is not on the list? what about Tubereuse Criminelle with a dab of Rose de Nuit and Fleurs d ‘Oranger?
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