With June being Pride month, we wanted to highlight some iconic members of the LGBTQIA+ family throughout history – trail-blazers, change makers, style icons and revolutionaries. We matched fragrance to each legend, because…that’s what we do!
Divine = Etat Libre d’Orange I am Trash
Divine, born Harris Glenn Milstead, was a character actor and drag performer most known for their collaborations with John Waters. Divine starred in numerous John Waters films, most notably, Pink Flamingos. Know for a larger than life personality, Divine has an ongoing cultural impact.
We chose I am Trash for Divine in the most loving way. Divine was known for their brashness, stating in Pink Flamingo’s ‘Filth is my politics, filth is my life”.
This scent, featuring upcycled botanicals is the perfect match to the over-the-top camp glamour of Divine.
“I think of myself as a living cartoon”
“I am a character actor and one of my characters just happens to be a loud, vulgar woman.” – Divine
Candy Darling = Etat Libre d’Orange Divin Enfant
An actress and muse to Andy Warhol, Darling was a darling of The Factory. She was a queen of the nightlife and New York’s underground film scene. Lou Reed dedicated the second verse of Walk on the Wild Side to Darling.
Divin Enfant is our choice for Candy Darling. Not only does it have a sweet, sherbet-y fizz to it, it grounds with notes of tobacco and leather, showing the juxtaposition of sweetness and the gritty grown-up side of Darling – a tribute to the good dying young.
“I am not a genuine woman, but I am not interested in genuineness.”
“I’m a thousand different people. Every one is real.”
“This is my barbed wire dress. It protects the property but doesn’t hide the view.” Candy Darling
Marlena Dietrich = Demeter Fragrance Morocco
A German actress and singer, Dietrich’s career spanned nearly seven decades.
Dietrich, a bisexual, was a fan of the gay clubs and drag balls of 1920’s Berlin. She carried out numerous affairs throughout her life, all known to her husband.
Paying tribute to her groundbreaking role in the film Morocco, in which she dresses in a tuxedo and kisses a woman, we have selected Morocco by Demeter.
“Without tenderness, a man is uninteresting.”
“Glamour is what I sell, it’s my stock in trade.” – Marlena Dietrich
Hans Christian Andersen = Imaginary Authors Every Storm a Serenade
A Danish author best known for his fairy tales, Andersen’s diaries show his romantic longing for both men and women. Many consider The Little Mermaid an allegory for Andersen’s life, and forbidden love.
For Andersen we selected Every Storm a Serenade, because the stormy, salty notes and the story of the love of a sailor ties in with one of Andersen’s most well known and personal stories, The little mermaid.
“But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more.”
“Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.”
Stephen Tennant = Etat Libre d’Orange Remarkable People
A member of The Bright Young Things, a group of socialites and aristocrats in 1920’s London. Known for their outrageous parties, they impacted many aspects of media. Tennant was said to have been the inspiration for Sebastian Flyte in Brideshead revisited, and Cedric in Love in a Cold Climate.
For Tennant, we chose Remarkable People, the name is fitting for his place as one of the brightest of The Bright Young Things. We also thought the champagne note was fitting for his love of a glamourous party, and his effervescent personality.
“He put his mouth over mine crushing it – some kisses seem to draw the very soul out of one’s body – his do mine. I feel all my heart swooning at the touch of his mouth – my soul dies a hundred million deaths when his face is on my face and neck.”
“I want to be a Great Beauty, Sir,” – Stephen Tennant
Billie Jean King = Imaginary Authors The Soft Lawn
American Billie Jean King was a world number one grand slam tennis pro. She is most known for defeating Bobby Riggs in their Battle of the sexes tournament, after he asserted that he could beat any woman. King continues to champion women’s sports today.
An obvious choice for King, we selected The Soft Lawn. A tribute to King’s time on the court and her fresh attitude towards gender equality in sports.
“I wanted to use sports for social change.”
“Pressure is a privilege.”
“And if you can see it, you can be it.” – Billie Jean King
Tallulah Bankhead = Imaginary Authors Saint Julep
A hardened southern belle, Talluhlah Bankhead grew up in a well to do Alabama family. After moving to New York city, her husky voice and good looks served her well as an actress, appearing both on Broadway and in films. Known for her affairs with both genders, acerbic wit and love of vices.
For an homage to Bankhead’s boozy nature and southern charm, Saint Julep is reminiscent of a cool mint julep of a hot summer’s day.
“If I had to live my life again, I’d make the same mistakes, only sooner.”
“Say anything about me, dahling, as long as it isn’t boring.”
“Only good girls keep diaries. Bad girls never have the time.”
James Beard = Ficifolia Bistro Boy
An American chef, cookbook author and television personality, Beard had cooking schools and reinvented cooking within America.
Bistro Boy is our choice for James Beard, with the savoury, herbal notes a match for this culinary icon.
“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.”
“Like the theater, offering food and hospitality to people is a matter of showmanship…”
Orville Peck = Vararoha Gaucho
Musician and performer, Orville Peck gained popularity for his albums Pony, Show Pony and Bronco. Peck pens songs that are reminiscent of a bygone era of classic country, while modernizing the lyrics and themes to reflect his homosexuality.
Identifying with cowboys and old school country, we’ve selected Gaucho as it pays tribute to the Gauchos of the old west. Orange peel contrasted with rich leather for depth, we wish we knew how to quit you.
“Love and pain are frequently intertwined. This intertwining might stem from being a sensitive person who feels ostracized and experiences a sense of yearning…” – Orville Peck
Amber Glenn = Tokyo Milk Ice Queen
The first openly queer woman to represent the United States in women’s singles figure skating. Glenn is also the fifth woman to land a triple axel at the winter Olympics.
For Glenn, obviously, we had to select Ice Queen. This is cool, crisp and fresh, reflecting both Glenn and the ice she skates on.
“The world has ended for me many times, and yet tomorrow still comes. Keep going.” – Amber Glenn
Emily Dickinson – Heretic Parfum Coeur Noir
Poet Emily Dickinson was unknown within her lifetime, but her works remain part of the canon today. Celebrated as one of the great poets; her career moved through different phases as she explored different themes and uses of syntax. She shared a creative and romantic relationship with her sister-in-law Susan Huntington Gilbert Dickinson. They exchanged more than 500 letters with romantic and erotic undertones.
For Dickinson, what else could we pick apart from Coeur Noir by Heretic? This scent is both romantic and tragic.
“The heart wants what it wants – or else it does not care”
““Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all -” – Emily Dickinson
