And the Oscar (Fragrance) Goes to...

As Reported By Dana Wood, Beauty Director

The last time I chatted with the late, beyond-great Oscar de la Renta for a story I was writing for W magazine, he had to be yanked out of his precious garden at his Connecticut country home to take my call. I’d been there once, arriving via helicopter with a gaggle of beauty editors to hear about his latest fragrance, so I understood how hard it was to pry himself away from the sheer beauty of those flowers.

Oscar de la Renta understood the power of scent to top-off a style-conscious woman’s head-to-toe presentation, and, over the course of his storied career, he launched one elegant blockbuster after another. And though he himself is no longer with us, it’s pretty great to know his legend is living on in a gorgeous – and wildly bridal – new offering dubbed Bella Blanca. Launching in March with an ad campaign shot by edgy German photographer Kristian Schuller, it’s headed to heartland department stores like Macy’s, Belk and Dillards.

Created by celebrated “nose” Harry Fremont, who crafts his creations for the perfume maker Firmenich, Bella Blanca is primarily a white floral fragrance (muguet, tuberose), sprinkled with sparkling pear, green leaves and orange flower. Anchored by a base of sandalwood and musks, it’s designed to “linger” in a soft, subtle way.

And the bottle? It’s a knockout – a Big Day keepsake if ever there was one. Covered with 3-D white flowers framing a gold plate etched with Bella Blanca, it might just give your gown a run for its money.