2016 Oscars: Perfume and movie pairings

From an Irish Immigrant in Brooklyn to Eddie Redmayne’s depicted beauty in The Danish Girl, we imagine scents to suit the hopefuls for the 2016 Oscars.

The highlight of the awards season circuit is almost here, which means the end of speculations of whether or not Leo will finally take home his coveted gold statue at the 2016 Oscars. And while we’ll still be waiting with bated breath until February 28 rolls around, we’re speculating on a few other things: What fragrances would represent some of the Oscar-hopeful flicks?

Brooklyn

Set in 1950s New York, Irish immigrant Eilis (played by Saoirse Ronan) comes to Brooklyn in hopes of starting a new life. And, like any good Best Picture-nominated story set in the Big Apple, she falls in love almost immediately with Italian-American Tony (a tale as old as time).

It’s hard to pinpoint just one scent to represent the great city of New York, but we imagine for this Borough, it might smell something like Maison Martin Margiela Replica Jazz Club, which is inspired by the same city that brought us this beautifully heartfelt movie.

The biting, citrusy notes of pink pepper, lemon and neroli oil blend together with warm notes of rum absolute, clary sage oil, java vetiver oil, tobacco leaf absolute, vanilla bean and resin. They combine for a smoky-sexy-sultry mix that is confident (quite like Eilis and Tony’s love for one another), but with the same earnestness that comes from being in a new city and finding a new home.
Maison Martin Margiela Replica Jazz Club, $125 (100 ml), www.sephora.com

The Revenant

The Revenant is a gruesome movie that tells a story of revenge—set against a beautifully shot backdrop. And while the jury’s still out if everyone’s favourite heartthrob will finally win the Oscar for his undisputed love of his “craft,” it was difficult choosing a scent that would represent this gut-wrenching (literally at times) flick. Or his character.

Givenchy Pi Extreme seems like the best fit, since it personifies itself as “a modern-day adventurer doesn’t stop at what’s impossible.”

This based-on-true-events cinematic experience is set in 1820s Montana, and notes of smoked leather, ironwood and benzoin crystals complement the character of a man who’s willing to overcome any and all obstacles (like getting mauled by a bear and sleeping in a horse, for example). Seems like the winning choice.
Givenchy Pi Extreme, $95 (100 ml), www.thebay.com

The Danish Girl

The Danish Girl is a beautifully heartfelt movie and Eddie Redmayne’s flawless portrayal of the transition between Einar to Lili might just give Leo a run for his Oscar-yearning money. But what would Lili wear? A movie shrouded in moments of vanity, from coy glances in the mirror as Lili realizes her true self to the portraits that Gerda paints of Lili, this movie requires a scent that is not only reminiscent of this theme, but one that also represents a newfound femininity.

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Looking Glass brings together Chinese magnolia and tonka bean for a feminine scent that would befit this newly liberated character. It is equal parts warm and delicate, but still very stylish—which was one of the hallmarks of the art world in 1920s Denmark and Paris.
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Looking Glass, $120 (50 ml), www.sephora.com