A Brief History Of Celebrity Fragrances

By Sadie Stein  |  October 18, 2010 | 9:40pm
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Would our grandparents have believed the world would once see on Alan Cumming cologne? Yes! Because the celebrity fragrance game is as old as time. (Or, okay, 1957.)

Audrey Hepburn, Interdit. While Audrey’s collaboration with her main-man Givenchy wasn’t a celeb fragrance as we know them today, the iconic floral was designed for her especial use before hitting the market, and retained the aura of gamine glam when it did. Other celebs became the public face of already-extant perfumes: Joan Crawford lent her image to Estee Lauder’s Youth Dew in ’53, while Katherine Deneuve did a classic spot for Chanel No. 5 (itself, arguably a “personality cult” scent.)

Sophia Loren, Sophia. In 1981, Sophia Loren became the first to launch a “celebrity scent” as we know them today — by celeb-magnet Coty, no less.

Cher, Uninhibited. The musky, ubersexy “Uninhibited” came out in 1987 — a good year for Cher, who also won an Oscar for Moonstruck. Loved by perfume afficionados, the defunct scent now commands big bucks on eBay.

Elizabeth Taylor, Passion, White Diamonds, Black Pearls In 1991, La Liz launched the first real celebrity fragrance empire. The cloying scents and dramatic commercials were staples of the early 90s.

Jennifer Lopez, Glow. Glow by J.Lo was the beginning of the scentocalpyse. Breaking all perfume records, the scent quickly spawned Still, Miami Glow, Live, Love at First Glow, Live Luxe, Glow After Dark, and Desire. To say nothing of a thousand imitators and the popular notion that entertainment celebrity gives you an inside olfactory track. Apres J.Lo, le deluge!

Andy Warhol, Andy Warhol. A landmark in posthumous fragrances, this 199 launch was described as “a masculine scent that possesses a blend of tarragon, jasmine, moss and with hints of musk. Andy warhol is perfect for daytime wear.”

 
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