Do you believe in fairy tales? An American celebutante wants her fans to do so. Late last year, Paris Hilton launched Fairy Dust, her fifth fragrance that invites women of all ages to believe that their dreams can come true. With enchanting, delicate notes of prosecco, gardenia, and sueded patcholi, Fairy Dust captures the scents of lush forests where fairies dwell. But is it really possible for a blonde heiress to transform her perfume into a success with the simple wave of her magic wand?

‘The scent is magical! It’s delicate in the morning, sensual during the day, and seductive in the evening,’ describes Hilton. ‘When I wear Fairy Dust, I feel as whimsical and free as a dazzling fairy.’ As the socialite prepares for her international launch that will take flight this year, we spoke to Cécile Krakower, the French perfumer behind Hilton’s latest fragrance. Having created signature scents such as Laura Mercier’s L’Heure Magique and 8 by Abercrombie & Fitch, New York-based Krakower took some time off from her busy schedule to discuss why this year is the perfect time to believe that dreams can come true with the help of a little fairy dust.

What was the inspiration behind Fairy Dust?

Well, as you know, it’s not Paris Hilton’s first fragrance and I wanted to capture a softer Paris that hasn’t been talked about. Paris has matured as a businesswoman over the years, so she’s a little more assertive and confident. I used gardenia for its floral scent, which is very feminine, but also present, so that was how the story started for me.

Talk about the vision behind Fairy Dust.

Paris knew that she wanted to go after the fairy world. I think again, for the more assertive, very confident feeling, gardenia was the ideal floral base, which is the perfect tool for any woman to feel the same. When you feel confident, it shows. You feel more attractive and it brings you up to this little cloud where you feel like you can open every door you want. Fairy Dust is all about that, making a statement, but feeling good about yourself doing so. I think it encompasses the whole magical feeling. The scent makes you feel like you have the power to do anything you want.

Do you know if Paris had any specific likes or dislikes that she wanted you to take note of as far as creating this fragrance?

We might have had a list of things that Paris didn’t like to begin with, but it has been a while, so I honestly don’t remember. However, to dress up my gardenia, I used prosecco because I know that’s Paris’ favourite drink and a couple months prior, she had launched her own sparkling prosecco in a can. It was a way for me to tie up something very personal to her and prosecco itself is very fizzy and bubbly. I knew that her first fragrance was about capturing the whole debutante lifestyle, but she’s still with us years later and her image is very strong.

Would you consider Paris Hilton to be an inspirational woman?

Absolutely. It’s easy to make fun of somebody because of something that’s been said. I can’t even imagine what’s it like to be in the spotlight all the time like Paris Hilton, but she never makes a big deal out of it! I don’t think it’s easy for anybody to just brush off people waiting for you to make a mistake. To handle all that pressure, I think she’s doing one hell of a job.

What about the other notes found in Fairy Dust?

I chose orange flowers because it’s a bright floral that works very well with the gardenia, and I wanted to make the bouquet a little more delicate. I added some pink peony as well because they’re fresh, light, and whimsical. I used waterlily to make the fragrance more fluid because fairies glide in the air, which is what I wanted the entire scent to emulate. A little peach nectar was also used to create a cocktail effect with the prosecco, so it was mimicking the idea of mixing liquor with champagne. In the back, I wanted to work something that would be very soft, almost skin-like. As a result, I used patchouli, but I tried to give it a texture with musk and cashmere so it would feel like suede. It’s a woody background, but it’s also very soft. A touch of vanilla crème also helps to make it comfortable, just like how vanilla can somehow always bring you back home.

Why is Fairy Dust the ideal fragrance for women of all ages?

Confidence and femininity doesn’t have an age! People need to be reminded that we can tackle our obstacles. No matter what your problem is, whether it’s making ends meet, raising a kid, or securing a career, I think it all starts within yourself and again, that goes back to confidence. If you tell people that they can believe in themselves, it will give them wings.

Are there any plans of you and Paris Hilton collaborating again in the future?

I can’t reveal too much, but Paris Hilton is working on a new fragrance. It’s in the early stages. Paris is a very busy woman and she always makes sure that her business is in movement, so she’s already planning her next step! I also hope that before people judge Fairy Dust because it’s associated with Paris Hilton, they will at least take the time to experience the scent. I do believe that it has enough of an identity for people to fall in love with it.

Image courtesy of Parlux Fragrances Inc.