After much anticipation and hype, Lady Gaga’s first fragrance, Fame, is about to the shelves in SA:

Before it’s release, Ms Gaga had told the press that she wanted her fragrance to smell like ‘semen and blood’. (Charming!) Because of this, not to mention her penchant for zexy meat dresses and the like, I totally expected her scent to be an over-the- top, statement-maker; a real ‘Mugler’, if you know what I mean. As it is, Thierry Mugler Womanity, which is only for the very brave, is said to be her favourite scent.

Anyway, as it turns out, Gaga’s new fragrance is a little different, but not in the way you’d expect. Aside from it’s two main differentiators which I’ll chat about in a bit, Fame is actually – surprisingly  – an easy-to-wear inoffensive white floral that’ll appeal to both young and older women alike.

Note-wise, it’s composed in a slightly unusual way (but of course!); instead of having a top, middle and base-note structure, Fame’s made using ‘push-pull technology’. This means the notes are all there, all at once. You don’t really have to wait for anything to develop. They’ve been divvied up into three main accords, however; one that’s ‘light’ (jasmine and tiger orchid), another that’s ‘dark like the heart of fame (Belladonna and incense) and a ‘sensual’ third (honey drops and apricot).

On my skin, I pick up white flowers, lots of apricot and a hint of something ever so slightly ‘masculine’-smelling. (The incense perhaps? It could be the Belladonna too, but seriously, I have, like no idea, as to what that smells like…) If I was into white florals, it’d be the kind of ‘casual’ thing I’d wear in the day time, not at night. And, while Gaga’s been telling media peeps she wanted her scent to smell ‘slutty’ (like the seductive nature of Fame), it really is the kind of thing that, if packaged differently, could be given to your mom or aunt.

Anyway, another thing Fame’s got going for it? A clever l’il magic trick in that the juice itself is a black liquid that ‘metamorphasizes’ in midair to turn ‘clear’ on your skin and clothes, almost like the ‘disappearing ink’ I used to play with as a kid. Fun!

In a way, you’d think divalicious Lady G would hate knowing that most people find her exotic li’l potion so inoffesive, but I’m quite sure that was part of her master plan; hype it up to be a dangerous choice but make it accesible enough to appeal to everyone. Often enough, that’s all it take to create a bestselling scent; it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, just have mass appeal. (Dior’s J’Adore is a prime example.) As it is, it’s already sold six million bottles in the states in just one week, making it the fastest-selling fragrance since Chanel no. 5. Sjoe!

Anyway, Fame will be available from most perfume counters as of October. Go give it a sniff yourself and then tell me what you think in the comments section. Also, is there a celeb out there who hasn’t yet made a fragrance and you wish to God they would? Tell me, tell me, tell me…

Love, love

Leigh