BERLIN — At the launch of her new namesake fragrance Thursday night at Berlin’s Soho House, Dita Von Teese seduced the crowd with humor and a bit of a wink. After the event’s master of ceremonies pointed out that she wasn’t there to perform, Von Teese replied “well, maybe just a little something,” and coyly dropped the shoulder strap of her elegant black gown.
The burlesque star and fashion plate said this was just the beginning of her work in the world of scents.
“I would hope I could be like Elizabeth Taylor and be on my 40th perfume by the time I’m in a wheelchair,” she joked.
Von Teese was a hands-on partner for her fragrance license holder Luxess, reviewing even the smallest detail of the project. Designer Christian von der Heide, who was responsible for the scent’s vintage-look packaging, pointed to the small red bead hanging from the bottle’s silken tassel and said, “This matches her nail polish color exactly.”
Luxess, which also holds licenses for Tom Tailor scents, Strellson eyewear and Bruno Banani underwear, pulled off a bit of a coup.
“We were up against the big boys like Coty and Procter & Gamble,” said Luxess managing partner Benno Olschowsky. “But we were flexible, and we had no fear.”
The Dita Von Teese scent hits store shelves in Germany, Austria and Switzerland at the end of this month. Von Teese will also make an appearance this evening at a Douglas Perfumery on Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm shopping street.
