'Respect, she's an artist. I told her if she ever wants to give up being Madonna she could have a job as a perfumer'.
Madonna was very involved in the process from how the scent smelt to how the bottle looked, just as we imagine she is heavily involved in everything to do with her 'brand'. Nilsen had the task of making hundreds and hundreds of mods (versions of the perfume) which he hand delivered to her 'compound' in Manhattan.
She wanted a floral, something that would remind her of her mother - cue the tuberose; she wanted the scent to be addictive which comes from the wood and vanilla notes; she also wanted it to be sensual. To get it sexy Nilsen recommended musk, to which Madonna was reluctant until she smelt the mod with the delicate aura of musk woven through. The often-derisive addition lingers on the skin long after the floral and sweetness (from the caramelised amber) have died down and is not at all overpowering.
Just like Lovely the popular fragrance (with beauty editors and shoppers alike) from Sarah Jessica Parker which the actress was very involved in, we predict this will be just as popular. It doesn't smell like just another celebrity fragrance - you can tell real time and care was taken over every, single detail. It smells grown up (not overly sickly sweet like many star-driven scents), it's wearable and it lasts well on the skin. It represents different facets of the woman herself and it's already a staple on our dressing tables.
The bottle was designed by Fabien Baron, while the print ad campaign was shot by Mert & Marcus in New York.
Truth or Dare EDP, from £25 for 30ml. Body Lotion, £15 and Shower Gel, £14. Available exclusively at Selfridges from 18 April. Nationwide from 2 May.
