Ava's Perfume Story

A few years ago, I wrote about my quest for a new scent.  It took a few years.  There were some unexpected setbacks... Today, both Eric and I are still in love with it.  Hopefully, next time, I'll get lucky and unexpectedly come across a new perfume before  the official hunt begins.  

During this past holiday season, Ava fell in love with a perfume at Sephora.  I remember the big flower on the top of the bottle, but little else, other than the typical hefty price tag.  My eight year old is ruled by her senses, and her senses are usually quite sophisticated.  She continually surprises me with her observations, interests, and solid sense of self.  

A few days ago, we went to the mall to buy her new tennis shoes.  As we were walking around, she spotted Sephora.  "Mom, can we please go to Sephora to look for my perfume?"  I was happy to be distracted from the, thus far, unsuccessful search for tennis shoes.  

In we went, straight to the women's fragrance section.  She quickly began scanning the wall of pretty bottles for HER perfume.  Within seconds, she said it wasn't there.  She was clearly  disappointed.  I asked her what the name of the perfume was.  "Candy," she replied.  I thought "Candy" sounded more like a Britney Spears perfume that would be sold at Target.  "What does the bottle look like?" I asked.  Again, she scanned the wall of bottles and showed me a tall slender bottle.  "It is tall with a black top," she said.  She had apparently moved on from last year's flower bottle. 

I noticed the perfume section continued on the other side of the entrance.  I told her there were more to see.  This was her last chance... I could hear the "Oh, PLEASE let it be there!" going through her head.  Before I could even begin looking, she exclaimed, "Here it is!"  I looked down, and saw a sign on the shelf that said "CANDY".  Then I saw the bottle exactly as she had described.  I quickly decided that I loved the shape of the black top. 

I was so surprised that she found it.  I didn't think Sephora would carry a pop celebrity fragrance.  Who makes this uninspired named scent? Quite unexpectedly,  Prada.  The idea that Prada would name a fragrance Candy surprised me, the fact that my little girl loves a perfume by an Italian luxury fashion house, doesn't.  

Still perplexed by the whole Prada/Candy name phenomenon, I looked further into it.  While there is a lenghty explanation about the notes of the scent and what kind of woman wears it, I also discovered there is a promotional video directed by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola.  Very cool.  Check it out.