Spicy’s Top 5 Fragrance Ads (at the moment)

To kick us off at number 5:

Kate Moss for YSL Parisienne

Hot? Oui oui. In fact, my bestie Camilla would marry this photo if it were, like, legal and all. But I didn’t give it top bill because the Eiffel Tower in the background is a way too obvious French reference. Kate may as well be holding a croissant and wearing a beret. Plus gratuitous retouching of colours in the sky noted, YSL.

In 4^th position:

Flora by Gucci

Well hello Light Fantastic! It is indeed, fantastic. And the babe in that fab dress is Aussie model Abby Lee Kershaw (sans nose ring), whose career is getting stronger by the second. Give her a year or two and she’ll be our next Victoria’s Secret Angel.

In 3^rd place:

Jil by Jil Sandler

Why don’t I look so chic dressed in black jacket, white Tee and black pants? Maybe it’s because I’m not the French Vogue editor’s daughter, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld. This ad is stunning in its simplicity. Digging the black border too.

First Runner Up:

Prada’s L’Eau Ambree

The fact that this ad is a modern interpretation of a bas-relief sculpture* is an impressive side point. I heart the nude colour scheme (before I knew it was a reference to stone). And that make-up is truly sensational. They look like the posse of cool girls sharing secrets and I want in.

*According to Wikipedia (the source of much knowledge) A bas-relief or low relief is the quality of a projecting image where the overall depth is shallow. The background is very compressed or completely flat, as on most coins, on which all images are in low-relief. Bas-relief is very suitable for scenes with many figures and other elements such as a landscape or architectural background. A bas-relief may use any medium or technique of sculpture, but stone carving and metal casting are the traditional ones.

WINNER:

Pretty by Elizabeth Arden

Oooh a controversial choice, no?

Yes, it’s a very safe ad – definitely doesn’t push the creative boundaries – but I chose it as the winner because it does its job really rather well with minimum fuss. Everything about this ad is ‘Pretty’. It captures the essence of the perfume visually (which, surprisingly, not all manage to do), is age and brand appropriate, dreamy, aspiring and makes me want to go out and try it. Job well done.

Honourable Mentions must go to:

Chloe by Chloe

Very Hollywood by Michael Kors

Givenchy’s Angel or Demon?