Stella McCartney‘s Stella Eau de Parfum is one of my favorite fragrances. When I heard about its relaunch last July, I was worried that the scent would be tweaked. Even though the information I came across at the time suggested that it would remain the same, I thought I would only be convinced when I had a chance to smell it. Now I am relieved to say that it is the same, and today I will talk more about this well-crafted fragrance.
According to Fragrantica, Stella, composed by Jacques Cavallier, features notes of mandarin, rose, peony and amber.
Stella is all about the journey of rose, and I like the way the scent develops over the course of wear with the help of the supporting notes. The mandarin elevates the freshness of the rose, the peony enriches its feminine floral character, and the amber strengthens its sensual depth. When I wear Stella, I don’t always smell these notes. What they do is to amplify the various personalities of rose.
Stella is also a fragrance of beautifully harmonious contrasts. It is elegantly edgy, classically modern, tenderly strong, and quietly dynamic. It has an obvious sensual side, but it is also surprisingly comforting and relaxing.
Objectively, I would describe Stella as an evening fragrance and a fall/winter fragrance, but, for me personally, it is an all-day and all-season fragrance. Also, it has a very good lasting power, which adds to its practical appeal.
I like the design of the bottle as well. I like the contrast between the masculine angles and the feminine plum gradation. I feel that it echoes all the contrasts of the fragrance composition.
I went for the 50ml Eau de Parfum (£58). The only difference with the new bottle from the original one is that the collar around the lid is in gold (instead of the original silver). I mentioned in the post on the relaunch that the dots that made up STELLA on the collar were in plum, but they seem black to me in person.
The box of the fragrance changed a lot more. The plum box with gold polka dots is chic with a touch of vintage glamour, but I prefer the original box. Its octagonal shape fits the bottle like a couture gown.
Over the years, Stella has proven to be one of the fragrances that modernize the classic rose note (without compromising its femininity and delicateness). Even though I personally still don’t like the way it is presented in the new ad campaign from the relaunch, I do hope that the relaunch can, in one way or another, contribute to the longevity of the product.
(Stella Eau de Parfum is also available in 100ml (£74) and 30ml (£42). The range also includes Soft Body Milk (200ml, £40).)
Related posts:
Stella McCartney Stella Summer 2013
Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert
(another of my favorites and very different from Stella)
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