MONAR-CHIC… The Kingdom of Luxury and Glamour

Royal Weddings

Princely weddings in both London and Monaco: European royalty’s social calendar for 2011 already has two once-in-a-lifetime events scheduled, with the arrival of a pair of lovely new princesses. In April, 2011, Kate Middleton will marry Prince William; a few months later, South African swimming champion Charlene Wittstock will also become a princess, when she marries Albert of Monaco. European glamour and gossip magazines are in heaven. It’s true that even in countries that no longer have royalty, people still love to read (and fantasize) about kings and queens, princes and princesses. British magazines are full of tips about how to get Kate Middleton’s hairstyle and wardrobe.

For sixteen pounds sterling, the English supermarket chain Tesco is already offering a copy of her engagement dress. The American online shopping site QVC went one better, offering a replica of her engagement ring. The original sapphire-and-diamond ring, which once belonged to Princess Diana, is said to be worth almost $40,000. At less than $40, the copy on offer from QVC is considerably more affordable! You can bet that a royal wind will be blowing over fashion and jewelry collections for 2011.

The new royalty… of fashion and fragrance

In today’s gossip magazines, stars have taken over from crowned heads. While some celebrities are content to be worshipped like royalty, others have adapted their titles as well: the King of Pop, the r & b princess, and more. Some of them play the royalty card to the hilt, like hip-hop icon and producer Sean John, who also has his own clothing line. One of his men’s fragrances is even called ‘I am King.’ For this fresh-woody scent, the artist wanted a ‘kir royal’ accord, a blend of his two favorite beverages, crème de cassis and champagne, of course. But Sean John isn’t the only celebrity who’s playing with an off-beat image of royalty. Quite naturally, rapper Queen Latifah, whose real name is Dana Elaine Owens, chose to christen her first fragrance QUEEN. Blending glamour and humor, the ad gives us a glimpse of a modern chatelaine’s lifestyle. Christina Aguilera’s latest scent, a fruity-floral-woodsy scent called Royal Desire, projects a similar image.

Royal Essences

For an image of royalty with a bit less bling, why not try Dior’s new ‘Cologne Royale.’ This oh-so chic fresh eau for him and her contains a limited number of ingredients: in the creator’s own words: only the noblest. But royal luxury isn’t just for princes and princesses: emperors have their reputation to maintain, too. Several fragrances refer to the concept of Empire, like Guerlain’s recent Tonka Imperiale, a gourmet nectar composed around tonka bean’s vanilla-praline scent. The Empire in question refers to Napoleonic times. At Dolce & Gabbana, there is also an Imperatrice (“Empress”), even if they don’t mean Josephine or Sissi. The fruity and exotic scent is incarnated by Naomi Campbell, the 90s and 00s empress of glamour who still reigns supreme.