What do Katy Perry, Jay-Z, and the late Elizabeth Taylor have in common? They all have their own signature perfumes that were top sellers in 2013. According to industry sources, in department stories alone, just those three fragrances took in more than $19 million in sales. In fact, Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds was launched back in 1991, but continues to be a hit. Since its debut, the perfume has made more than $1 billion, and in 2013 alone, earned a cool $10 million.
Even before White Diamonds, celebrities had their own fragrances, but they weren't nearly as common as they are now. Sophia Loren debuted "Sophia" in 1981. In 1986, Catherine Deneuve, who was the face of Chanel No. 5, came out with her own "Deneuve." And Cher launched a musky Uninhibited in 1987.
These days loads of celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Tim McGraw, Sarah Jessica Parker, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Adam Levine, Bruce Willis and even Alan Cumming have created their own scents. "I don't think it's a case of people wanting to smell like 'me,' but I think that people think celebrities are selling a sort of spirit, an essence or a perception of themselves, so if people like you and people have an interest in you, then it makes sense that people would want to buy a perfume you've created," Cumming told racked.com after launching 2nd (Alan) Cumming, his second scent, in 2011.
"For a celebrity, having your own perfume creates a legacy," explains fragrance industry veteran, Donald Loftus, who has launched many perfumes including those for Cher, Jay-Z, Pitbull, Rihanna and an upcoming one for Sofia Vergara. "It's also an opportunity for a celebrity to give more connection to fans -- for people to take home a piece of you." The perfumes can also be uniquely personal. As Loftus explains, many celebrities are incredibly passionate about the process and involved in every aspect: Creating the scent, the packaging, advertising and even how the perfume is presented in stores. Sofia Vergara, who will launch Sofia in Apri, was determined to pay homage to her Colombian roots, and included notes of Colombian rose in her scent.
So in honor of National Fragrance Day today, it seemed only fitting to spotlight some best selling celebrity perfumes in 2013. Read the full story at Parade. Take a whiff.