Armani/Privé Now Available

The Armani/Privé fragrance range was launched in harmony with Giorgio Armani’s haute couture fashion line, where each fragrance is an exquisite work of art, just as his custom-made garments are. Previously only available to his close friends, Mr Armani was convinced to share his fragrances, giving everyone the opportunity to experience the delicate balance and attention to detail that makes up the collection. Personally, I love the journey and story behind every fragrance, as well as the majestic bottles, with their semi-precious gemstone inspired top.

The three ranges available, Les Eaux, La Collection and La Collection de Mille et Une Nuits, can all be worn by men and women.

Les Eaux

This range is inspired by ancient gardens with scents of flowers, leaves and wood. The range has two variations: Rose Alexandrie, which celebrates the rose gardens of Alexandria in ancient Egypt and Figuier Eden, which captures the fresh, woody scent of Cedar Leaf.

La Collection

La Collection celebrates the most famous perfume accords developed by master perfumers over the centuries and consists of 6 fragrances, each focusing on a different legendary scent. These include Eau de Jade, which is a modern take on Eau de Cologne, a zesty, citrus scent (which my mom says takes her back to the days when she was comforted by my grandmother), Pierre de Lune, a powdery and floral fragrance inspired by the nobles strolling around the court of Versailles in powdered wigs, and Éclat de Jasmin, a velvety, spicy fragrance celebrating Jasmin, the favourite flower of Catherine de Medicis, wife of King Henry II, who started the fashion of perfumed gloves in Paris. Cuir Améthyste is a tribute to leather, Ambre Soie is a rich and spicy fragrance with notes of cinnamon, clove and patchouli, inspired by Amber and Bois d’Encens celebrates the oldest known fragrance, incense. In this scent, Armani wanted to capture his childhood memory of incense-filled Italian churches. This is the fragrance he is said to wear daily.

Les Mille Et Une Nuits

These were inspired by the legendary tales of “One Thousand and one Nights” and are a celebration of the Orient. There are four versions: Cuir Noir, a sweet, woody and smoky fragrance inspired by the Moroccan leather that Scheherazade held in her hands while telling her tales, Oud Royal, which captures the incredibly rare fragrance of Oud, one of the treasures Ali Baba found in the cave of wonders, Rose D’Arabie (my favourite), which captures the sensual scent of the prized Damask Rose and Ambre Orient, a warm, earthy fragrance inspired by the precious amber found by Sinbad.

The fragrances retail for R2400 each for 100ml and are available at Stuttafords.