During my time in New York last week for the fall 2009 shows, I was invited to the Givaudan offices to meet with the creator of Pretty, the new Elizabeth Arden Perfume. Perfumer Claude Dir shared his inspiration and the key notes he specially selected for the fragrance.

When I asked Claude of his inspiration, he smiled and said, “One night as I sat watching my wife get ready for an evening out, I was inspired by the graceful touches she made to make herself feel feminine, flirty, irresistible, pretty.” Claude went on to say, “As she dabbed it delicately onto her pulse points I could envision the textured florals that made up its heart.” He concluded, “I would make a magnificent fragrance to reflect the beauty of her entire ritual.”

The floral heart of the fragrance is surrounded by a selection of fruits and wrapped in a background of serene woods. The core note is a premiere ingredient selected by Claude Dir, Petalia.

TOP

• Italian Mandarin ORPUR
• Orange Blossom
• Peach Nectar

MIDDLE

• Petalia
• Star Jasmine
• Pink Iris
• White Peony

DRYDOWN

• Fluffy Mush
• Jacaranda Wood
• Creamy Amber

I do not pretend to know the process of note selection or even how to develop a scent, but I am a self-described perfume fanatic! My absolute favorite scents are those that make you feel like you just stepped out of a warm shower. I enjoy a scent that is soft yet strong enough to still linger at the end of the day. When Claude first introduced me to the new fragrance, Pretty by Elizabeth Arden, I knew immediately this scent had to be a part of my daily routine!