[zz]ANNA SUI-SECRET WISH

ANNA SUI
‘SECRET WISH’

THE FEELING

"Once upon an enchanted evening, fireflies danced, and fairies made wishes come true."

It is the magic in wishes that has remained with us through legends and lore, through culture and arts, folklore and tradition. It is all part of a universal consciousness, and it is passed down from generation to generation, from country to country. There are different ways to wish, in every culture. We may blow out candles, or chase the end of rainbows, or wear an amulet around our necks. But the highest form of wishing is relegated to magical creatures with the ultimate power to grant what we ask.

And now, Anna Sui brings us the magic, the legends, the belief of wishes, in a mystical new fragrance, overseen by a fairy. As lighthearted as the tiny creature poised on the top of the bottle. A lovely woodland fairy, the kind that dances merrily in mid-air and makes her home in the twilight dew.

And what would be wished? The fragrance is an exploration of our inner consciousness and our deepest desires. It may be a secret fantasy; but it will never be a silly wish. In the presence of magical creatures, wishes become amazing opportunities. . .

THE CONCEPT

Within the power of fairies to grant, Secret Wish summons all we hope for, all we dream. Wish wisely, wish well.

It is the perfect time for a fragrance of magical power. We have cinema sorcerers, elfin warriors, lords of the rings, Harry Potter, and wizardly things. We are newly captivated by charms and potions. We seek what we cannot see, we delight in the thought that nature holds more in its woodland bowers than we will ever know. Anna Sui's Secret Wish is for the child in us that believes in magic. But it is also for the adult that believes in possibilities. Once opening the bottle, once releasing the magical power, you must ask yourself, "What do I wish for?" Anything is possible. Because, in the end, the magic is in each of us.

Secret Wish expresses the designer's own magical optimism -- wishing will make it so. All things are possible; one has only to ask. Only to reveal a hidden, innermost wish. And, from somewhere beneath a blue bell, a new fragrance spirit emerges. It flits lightly from leaf to leaf, dances merrily in midair, and has the power to make wishes come true. The fragrance itself is more like a twilight dew, a shimmering chimera that inspires flights of fancy. It is an illusion wrapped in emotion, guarded by three fairies. A fantasy of the heart that leads you on a merry chase. Close your eyes and wish. Open your eyes to imagination.

THE DESIGN

Perched atop a three-sided crystal flacon, a delicate, shimmering fairy sits on a matte crystal ball. The true guardian of Secret Wish, she tempts a woman to simply twist the topper, and unleash the magical powers inside. This is her realm. She is the fairy princess personified. Confident, magical, feminine, and powerful.

The interplay of matte and clear crystal is very Art Nouveau in inspiration; a fine, sculptural piece to add to a vanity. It catches the light, and disperses it, the way twilight falls through the trees in a mystical woodland. The flacon itself is thrice-faceted, curved and linear at the same time. Does it suggest three wishes? Who can tell? In some fairytales, it is within a fairy's powers to grant three. Or maybe just one at a time. . . every time a woman opens the fragrance. This is all part of the mystery.

Two fairies play on the carton itself, amidst fields of flowers and butterflies. Do they hold separate powers? On the front of the carton, a flighty little creature touches down just at the top of a circlet of flowers, framing the logo medallion. She smiles secretly, scattering stars from the tip of her finger. Is she beckoning you inside? "Come here," she seems to say, "and play." She glances up, knowingly, sensing every Secret Wish.

At the back of the carton, a second fairy lounges dreamily, legs in the air, arms hugging her knees. Quite a modern little spirit, in a halter top and shorts. Not the traditional fairy garb at all. (Except for the pointy pink slippers; a tell-tale fairy accessory.) Stars circulate around her head, leading to a wreath of flowers. This is the fairy that tells you to dream; whatever comes into your head turns into beauty and joy and fun.

And, magically, in a metallic shade of fairymist aqua, the carton itself is as irresistible as a wish. Shimmering and scintillating, it draws you to it. Playing off translucent pinks and silver. Creating a world where fairies dance. . . and women dream. The magical, mysterious, anything-can-happen world of a Secret Wish.

Designer: Marc Wittenberg (iconomy, Sydney/Australia)

THE FRAGRANCE

Translucent as a fairy's wing, mysterious as a moonlit forest, Secret Wish embodies the enchanting essence of a fairytale. The instant the scent is released, a lush, ripe world opens up, filled with a bouquet of juicy fruits: fresh, sparkling lemon, summery melon, and velvety tagete, a soft, apricot-scented flower. Like fairies taking flight, it darts, hither and yon, surprising as it wafts in the air. A burst of joyful pineapple adds a note of flirtatious charm, as acidulous blackcurrant offers its mysterious facets. The fragrance deepens into a magical twilight with warm white cedarwood and sensual amber adding an intense and alluring character. Finishing with a light touch of musk, like falling star dust, it leaves an infinitely feminine wake. A fragrance that is at once as powerful as a charm, and as beguiling as a fairy kiss, it is a perfect balance of fruity and floral notes. Totally in command of a woodland realm. In a shade as soft as a fairy mist, the softest aqua dew, this is truly an elixir of fantasy and emotion.

Perfumer: Mr. Michel Almairac (Robertet/Paris)

THE OLFACTORY PYRAMID

Olfactive description: fruity – floral – musky

Created by Robertet

THE COMMUNICATION

Almost as if by the wave of a wand, Anna Sui creates a magical, enchanting image in single and double advertising pages. It is a fairytale come to life, shimmering with fairy dust, butterflies and flowers. The model is transformed into a modern sprite, with glimmering, translucent wings. She holds a nosegay of pink posies, perhaps just gathered from a woodland bower, in her hands. Her hair, a cascade of curls, her dress, a romantic white frock adorned with pink blossoms. Luminous and enchantingly beautiful, her eyes reveal a willingness to dream, to dance, to turn wishes into reality. Yet she is strong, a believer in the powers within, and the magical powers all around.

The colors of the image reflect both packaging and flacon; The background is composed of an ethereal aqua blue. Creating a realm where the fragrance itself seems to float on the air, sending forth moonbeams of light. And compelling the true believer to find the magic, open the potion, and let every wish come true.

It is every woman’s Secret Wish to be irresistible, magical, and utterly fantastical!