December 21, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

The sweet scent of success
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, December 21, Graphic News:  Ah Christmas! The scent of mulled wine and pine tree wafts through the air. No, wait a wait a minute. ThatÕs the scent of David Beckham, or the England footballerÕs new perfume, Instinct, to be exact. Pop it into someoneÕs stocking for a fragrant festive season.

Alternatively -- and perhaps especially if cosmetic surgery and a designer wardrobe are out of your league -- emulate a favourite celebrity by nipping into Superdrug and picking up a bottle of Sarah Jessica ParkerÕs Lovely. Then again, if you are more MTV than Sex and the City, Britney Spears has a scent called Curious, J Lo has Glow perfume and beauty products and Beyonce Knowles has a fragrance called (what else?) True Star.

This Christmas a host of stars has entered the perfume market, and their products are clearly targeted at mainly young fans who want to emulate their icons. And while Donald TrumpÕs ÒpepperyÓ fragrance may not make you rich, you can at least smell like a tycoon. Singer Shania Twain, British model Naomi Campbell and socialite Paris Hilton have also put their names to perfumes that are marketed to evoke the celebrityÕs personality.

It is not known whether the more than 2,000 bottles of Instinct that reportedly sold in Britain within five hours of its November launch were bought by men or by their girlfriends -- but todayÕs sports icons clearly conjure up much more than aroma of sweaty socks.

Beckham (did he want to avoid rekindling those stories about him wearing VictoriaÕs knickers?) was apparently reluctant to launch the fragrance in Britain and then sent along a lookalike to sign autographs at the Oxford Street launch. But there is no need for him to be embarrassed: his perfume is described as a manly scent for someone who appreciates the finer things in life.

As the perfect and affordable statement for those who want to pay homage to their idols, celebrity perfumes are likely to stay. In some ways, the only question is why it took so long for the trend to become established. And if you really donÕt want to replace the scent of Christmas entirely, perhaps you should try Hollywood actress Jessica SimpsonÕs Taste -- it smells of Òwhite chocolate and coconut creamÓ.
/ENDS