Be a WOMAN Woman: Stuff My Stocking, Stuffer 13
By Gigi Anders
American. Graceful. Expensive. Grown-up. Strong. Glamourous. Sensual. Refined. Those are the words that come to mind with WOMAN Eau de Parfum ($110), Ralph Lauren’s newest fragrance that’s so confident it’s spelled all in caps. Evoking the designer’s idea of a modern heroine is Jessica Chastain, whose own journey from impoverished childhood to Oscar-nominated actress, feminist, and philanthropist embodies an aspirational trajectory similar to Lauren’s own.
“I love women who take something masculine and make it exceptionally feminine,” he said – although he could have been speaking for himself as a man and as an expert at turning menswear into luxe femininity.
In the WOMAN spot, shot gorgeously in soft black-and-white, the equally gorgeous Chastain wears a tuxedo, then a tuxedo jacket over a slinky black ball gown, then only the ball gown, then an undone tuxedo shirt and bow tie. That’s the suggestive duality of WOMAN.
Essentially a white floral scent, the composition’s top notes are pear, rhubarb, and black currant; the middle ones are tuberose, orange blossom, and Turkish rose; and finally sandalwood, hazelnut, and wood. The intermingling of those ingredients make for a killer juice that’s fresh yet timeless for all women who aren’t little girls.
