NEW YORK — Call it a noble effort.
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, held court Thursday at Manhattan’s Lowell Hotel, where she unveiled her home fragrance collection over the local idea of high tea. The duchess collaborated with Slatkin & Co. on the collection — a range of 9-oz. candles in five tea-inspired scents: Dignity, Honesty, Loyalty, Royalty and Tranquility — which is slated for spring.
“If you taste and smell tea, it appeals to the senses,” Ferguson said, noting that translating tea into candles wasn’t difficult. “I’m tea mad. Jasmine tea, mint tea — it all has this delicious smell and aroma.”
Ferguson, who spent a decade fronting for Weight Watchers, said in an interview following the event that her favorite tea is Earl Gray with bergamot. But one of her fondest associations is her memories of ginger tea.
“When I was 24, I got a migraine every 20 minutes and it was the ginger root-infused tea that stopped the migraines and saved my flying career,” she declared. “It allowed me to fly solo in both helicopters and fixed wing [aircraft].”
Two of the Sarah, Duchess of York candles feature ginger: Honesty, based on rose ginger tea, and Loyalty, based on white tea with ginger.
The Dignity and Tranquility candles feature Mandarin green tea, and green tea and mint leaves, respectively. The Royalty candle is based on bergamot tea.
International Flavors & Fragrances used a technology called “head space” to capture the aromas of teas “she really loves,” said Harry Slatkin, founder of Slatkin & Co., a unit of Bath & Body Works, which is owned by Limited Brands.
“I’m going to do lots of things with Harry,” Ferguson quipped. “He hasn’t agreed yet, but hopefully a whole line of linens and sheets and glass.”
For now, Ferguson is concentrating on helping children through her Sarah Ferguson Foundation, which was established here earlier this year. The organization is helping establish orphanages in China, HIV/AIDS schools in India and schools in Sierra Leone. The proceeds from the candles are earmarked for the charity.
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“I hear, I listen and my heart tells me where to go. I live from my heart, which, as you know, has gotten me into an extraordinary amount of trouble,” she said, referring to her romantic tribulations, which were the fodder of tabloids. “But now that I’ve been speaking about the children and the real important things, I’ve completely composed myself and have stopped being emotional.”
During a presentation to the media in the Lowell’s Pembroke Room, Ferguson said, “Harry [Slatkin] is in 1,600 stores and that’s kind of huge for me. It’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this. I was rather difficult, I think. I’m redheaded; I probably am difficult. The real truth is, I am deeply proud. I could not believe the teamwork at BBW — Bed, Bath & Beyond,” she said.
“We’re the other one,” Slatkin corrected her with a smile, as the audience broke into laughter.
“That was just a joke,” she quickly added in an attempt to recover. “I couldn’t believe it. I worked with the [Bath & Body Works] team and they were so great.”
The 9-oz. Sarah, Duchess of York candles will be priced at $16.50. A gift set of the five candles, each in a 2.5-oz. size, will cost $49.50. There are plans for the candles to be launched in late April. The line will be carried at Bath & Body Works flagships, White Barn Candle Co. and at bbw.com.
Ferguson plans to visit stores to support the line, something to which she said she has become accustomed. “With Weight Watchers, after 10 years, I’ve been there anyway. I’ve seen every department store you can see. I know about Minneapolis airport. I like Kansas City.”