As the fragrance world continues its fascination with skin scents, few brands understand the power of musk quite like Narciso Rodriguez.
More than two decades after launching the iconic For Her fragrance, the designer returns to his signature musk note with For Her Pure Musc Blanc Eau de Parfum Intense.
Created by renowned perfumer Sonia Constant, the refined fragrance explores musk in its brightest form.
“I wanted to create a fragrance that is both clean and sensual – a halo of light and sensuality,” explains Constant.
To achieve this, Constant layers the house’s unmistakable heart of musc with airy aldehydes, night-blooming jasmine and a creamy white floral accord before grounding the super-wearable fragrance in cedarwood, oakmoss, amber and vanilla extract.
The result is a fresh take on the classic chypre accord which gives the wearer a quietly refined confidence. Much like Mr Narciso’s muse and 90s style icon, Carolyn Besette-Kennedy, for whom Rodriguez created a now legendary wedding dress.
Opening with sparkling Calabrian bergamot and fresh ginger, the new, more intense fragrance, settles into a soft, skin-like warmth that feels intimate and ready to mingle effortlessly with our natural skin notes.
The launch also marks another chapter in Rodriguez’s enduring exploration of sensuality, minimalism and personal style. Much like his fashion designs, Pure Musc Blanc Eau de Parfum Intense is restrained in a deeply 90s way, it’s emotional, clever and built for the woman who vibes off the power of subtlety.
In a rare interview, Marie Claire was able to ask Mr Narciso Rodriguez about his lifelong fascination with musk, the return of ’90s minimalism, and why timeless design continues to inspire him.
Pure Musc Blanc For Her feels incredibly intimate and skin-like. What emotions or memories did you want this fragrance to evoke?
The inspiration for Pure Musc Blanc was all of the sensuality and individuality of musk on the skin. To me it is the most beautiful and special material to work with. Its ability to become one with the skin and amplify one’s own scent so that it is uniquely different on each person fascinates me.
Your fragrances have had a long affinity with musk as a note. What is it about musk that fascinates you?
Creating a fragrance is usually a collage of feelings, memories, photographs and emotions that sets the tone. I have the good fortune of working with brilliant perfumers like Sonia Constant [perfumer creator for For Her Pure Musc Blanc Eau de Parfum Intense] who understand and bring to life all of these abstract ideas. Sonia understands who the woman is that I create for perfectly. In essence, Sonia is the “For Her” woman.
Who is the woman you imagine wearing Pure Musc Blanc For Her?
For Her Pure Musc Blanc was created with a confident, independent woman in mind who is sensual and warm, but prefers a cleaner version of musk for herself. The fragrance embodies the woman of today who loves fragrance and musk, and who enjoys layering this scent with her other favourite For Her fragrances.
Your fashion aesthetic has always been associated with restraint, sensuality and purity of line. How does that philosophy translate into perfume?
My work has historically been about celebrating women and hopefully creating beautiful options for them to choose from. An uncomplicated and useful way to dress and perfume herself in a way that is sensual, unique and allows her personality and essence to be what is memorable.
Is creating a fragrance similar to designing fashion for you, or is it a different creative process?
Designing a fragrance or a dress is a joyful process. Although the process differs for both, they come from the same point of inspiration and strive for an outcome based in beauty and timelessness in a completely new way.
The ’90s aesthetic has returned in a major way across both fashion and beauty. How do you feel about seeing younger generations rediscover that minimalism?
I love the fact that younger generations have rediscovered ’90s style. It’s something I believe comes from a desire to wear and feel the authenticity of that moment in fashion history. There was an emphasis on personal style then that I feel resonates with the youth of today.
How have you seen fashion and beauty evolve since the ’90s, particularly in terms of what women want from luxury today?
Today more than ever there is a desire for truly unique and well-crafted design, as well as sophistication that is more subtle. Substance and style are what is most inspiring to me and what I believe the modern woman responds to now.
How would you describe your personal style today? Has it changed over the years?
My personal style is pragmatic, but I love fashion and I love fragrance. Things that are timeless always resonate. That has been true of my personal style as well as the way I approach the creative process. I like to add things to my wardrobe and home that are new and interesting, but also pieces that I would never want to part with.
Where do you most often find inspiration creatively?
I find most of my inspiration on the streets of New York City. The way people present themselves to the world is fascinating. How these characters move within the energy of the city is endlessly inspiring. I document everything that I see.
After decades in fashion and fragrance, what still excites you creatively and makes you want to keep creating?
My passion for fragrance and fashion never seems to end. I am curious about it all and evolve with it as time passes. Everything excites me about the creative process and finding new ways to think about both fashion and fragrance that are new but timeless. It is a constant conversation I have with myself and hope to continue for decades to come.
What is next for Narciso Rodriguez? Where do you see your brand five or ten years from now?
I hope to continue to grow creatively and find new ways to bring those ideas to life. I am looking to expand into cosmetics and skincare soon, as well as further into the luxury market in both fashion and fragrance.
Photography Getty Images; courtesy Narciso Rodriguez
