Smells like royalty

Modern royalty has cleared the cobwebs from the gilded crowns of yore. Today we kneel to the sacred Louboutins of the new deity. There are the obvious symbols of royalty: for the English it may be the stature, for the Arabs it may be the bling, and for the more discreet European tribes it may be who one marries.

Royalty lives among us. Sometimes everything can be said in a scent. These impressive potions evoke not only beauty and sophistication but also that intangible élan of nobility.

Whether it’s of the old lineage of European royalty to the more abbreviated tree of rock ‘n’ roll monarchs, today’s finest scents have a place in every castle. Let’s explore.

Diptyque

Eau de Lierre: When you can’t go to France, let it come to you. The fresh scent of Diptyque gives you an instant vacation. The scents are meant to recreate the travel experiences of founders Christiane Gautrot, Yves Coueslant and Desmond Knox-Leet. It was meant to be a decorative art store but quickly became an iconic symbol for modern home fragrances with a historic and organic touch. Mind your manor.

The scent: The softer side of ivy from the French countryside

Evokes: Stealth wealth

Which royal household: Domestic goddess royalty

Manuel Canovas Les Fantasies Parfumees

An exotic line of sophisticated blends as complex and rich as the fabrics of the famed house of Canovas. Favored by all purveyors of taste, this is an excellent accompaniment to those who love the good life. Manuel Canovas decorated homes with an architect’s hand, and this has led his name to be associated with the most distinct and lush fabrics. Now a venerable lifestyle brand, Manuel Canovas’ fragrances lend the same aristocratic air with vivid color and textures.

The scent: Ranges from the Mediterranean to the Orient

Evokes: Worldly sophistication

Which royal household: Fashion royalty

Herbas de Ibiza

Ibiza is not just a party place, it’s where a new lifestyle begins. Surrounded by creative spirits and lighthearted souls, this scent captures the true essence of this famed island. Created by jewelers in the ‘60s, Herbas de Ibiza is meant to complement the jewelry collection. The fragrance has become a gem in its own right.

The scent: Fruity gems like oranges and lemon

Evokes: A permanent vacation

Which royal household: Rock royalty Rance

Let these scents take you back to the times when the Waltz was like Dirty Dancing. Like a beautiful petticoat, it has delicate layers of different notes blended into a royal treat. More than 10 generations of Rance have passed down the art of offering magnificent objects, gorgeous perfumes and the wellness of body and mind to the most refined people.

Despite its Old World allure, Rance is also on the ball with cutting-edge philosophy on beauty.

The scent: Old World basics like patchouli, vanilla, musk, rose and bergamot

Evokes: Real royalty

Which royal household: Buckingham Palace

Annick Goutal

Eau de Hadrien and Un Matin d’ Orange: The famed fragrance house has been known for its romantic scents, but it also has more innocent blends that can make any grownup feel like a sparkling newborn! Annick Goutal’s legacy and history is as complex as her fragrances. She was a trained musician, then became a model until a serendipitous meeting with a talented fragrance maker in Grasse. It is unbelievable that the venerable house was only conceived in 1981. It has created 25 unparalleled fragrances.

The scent: A light medley of basil, minty caraway, juniper berries, ylang-ylang and hedione

Evokes: A great childhood, an awesome life

Which royal household: Celebrity babies of all ages

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Diptyque, Manuel Canovas and Annick Goutal are available at Rustans; Herbas de Ibiza and Rance at Rustan’s Essenses.