If your father owned one of the most luxurious perfume brands then it seems inevitable that you would end up sharing his passion, but for Victoria Christian it was a performing career which first interested her. After studying Ballet and Theatre Studies at Urdang Academy, and performing in London’s West End, she eventually chose to give up the stage and has become the Brand Ambassador for Clive Christian Perfumes. So, what secrets would we discover during “Stephan’s Six”?
What a difficult question! I remember the scent of the English roses at our family home in Cheshire, they were almost like Turkish delight, so pure and almost magical. It reminds me of my childhood, a sense of innocence and the joy in very simple things. The scent of a log fire always conjures memories of home and family, warm, sweet, soft smoke and crackling flames. It is a memory of comfort, security and love.
What was the first perfume you remember your mum or dad wearing?
When I was a little girl I was enchanted by my Mother's collection of perfume bottles, and a favourite of hers was Bal à Versailles. I remember the beautiful piece of artwork in the centre of the bottle which transported me in my imagination. My Father, as you might expect, was extremely particular when it came to his scent and rarely found something he was happy with, preferring to use nothing but the scent of clean soap.
What was the perfume of your twenties?
I began my career with Clive Christian Perfume when I was twenty-two so it has to be X for Women from the original collection! I absolutely love it - a true Chypre with a glorious heart note of Egyptian Jasmine absolute. I was working at Bergdorf Goodman in New York representing our Perfume House and I can't tell you how many times I was stopped on the pavement of Madison Avenue with people asking what I was wearing! To me it is a beautifully warm yet freshly sensual, feminine perfume and the fact that it harnesses one of Mother Natures most powerful natural aphrodisiacs in Egyptian Jasmine doesn't hurt when you are in New York City in your twenties!
What was your biggest perfume mistake?
In my early teens I really was addicted to fragrance and had bottles of every new launch I could lay my hands on, both masculine and feminine scents. I did choose a few that rather alienated my parents, and I do remember coming downstairs one day and being told to return upstairs and wash off my fragrance as it was "not ladylike" to wear something so intense. My father always says that a perfume should be no more than an extension of your handshake, and lie close enough to your skin so that it is there for those that you allow in to your personal space. He was right of course!!
You can only choose one perfume?
If I had to choose a single perfume then it would have to be a bottle of our Sandalwood Absolute. Currently this is only available at the Salon De Parfums in Harrods, however once it has been experienced it is very hard to forget. It celebrates the rare Indian Sandalwood which is aged over fifty years and has a lively yet intoxicating complexity. Both my Husband and I wear this scent and it unravels and develops so differently on our skins, telling a different story so beautifully.
What perfume should I try?
My suggestion would be to visit one of our counters (in the UK we have Fortnum & Mason, Harrods and Selfridges) and start at the very beginning with 1872. Work your way through the collections until you find two or three that really speak to you and then try them on your skin, as this is truly where the journey begins. In my opinion you should fall in love with the first impression and then this should evolve and enhance your mood and persona.
For more information about Clive Christian you can visit their website at www.clivechristian.com or follow Victoria on twitter at @MissVC
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