Scents for the new season’s TV stars

From dark and mysterious for Dexter to magical and medieval for the Mother of Dragons in Game of Thrones: we offer up select spritzes for our favourite TV stars of the new season

By Ashley Kowalewski

Set your PVRs and mark your calendars. The fall TV lineup is here and we couldn’t be more excited after months of subpar programming and reruns. To get ready for our Monday nights spent with HIMYM or Thursdays with Grey’s Anatomy, we’re ruminating on fragrances to suit some of our favourite television characters. And while we know The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper wouldn’t dare let a “cacophonous assault of eucalyptus, bayberry, cinnamon and vanilla” anywhere near his apartment, we’re sure some of these other TV characters would certainly sport a scent.

The Dragon’s Kiss for Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones
If you too have become hopelessly addicted to Game of Thrones, then you know that Daenarys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke) is a force to be reckoned with. The once-meek teenage bride has shown that age, gender and kingdom size doesn’t matter when you call three dragons your children. So what better fragrance for the Mother of Dragons than a scent dubbed “the dragon’s kiss”?
Cartier Le Baiser du Dragon is a lush woody floriental that marries top notes of bitter almond, neroli, orange and gardenia; a heart of cedar and musk; and a base of vetiver, patchouli and benzoin to create a heady scent worthy of the fierce yet inherently compassionate Khaleesi. EDP, $160 (100 ml), www.nordstrom.com

Something dark and moody for Dexter Morgan, Dexter
While this show just wrapped up its eight-season series (the end of an era!), Dexter is still one to note. Dexter Morgan’s blood-spatter expert by day, vigilante-by-night persona (played by Michael C. Hall) has us wondering what fragrance the dimensional character would sport when he’s not out hunting the scum of Miami.
Naturally, he wouldn’t wear any scent while stalking his prey (if we’ve learned anything from him it’s how not to get caught), but his daytime forensic nerd, good father, donut-toting alter ego might want a little something.
Inspired by the show’s drool-worthy opening credits, we recommend John Varvatos Artisan Black for Dexter and his Dark Passenger. Citrus top notes (with blood orange, of course) blend together with a spicy heart and a dark woody base for a scent that’s as multi-faceted as the character himself. EDT, $72 (75 ml), www.johnvarvatos.com

Estée Lauder’s Muse for Carrie Mathison of Homeland
Homeland’s Carrie Mathison (played by Claire Danes) is a complex character with a simple goal: Catch the bad guy. The bipolar CIA agent who always does things her own way no matter how much trouble she might get herself into, has a knack for thinking outside of the box. She’s got a feminine and vulnerable side beneath her pant-suited potty-mouthed exterior too.
We think Estée Lauder’s latest creation Modern Muse would be a good fit. That scent balances softness with strength: floral notes (mandarin, honeysuckle nectar, petals, jasmine sambac, tuberose, lily) with deep woody essences (patchouli, vanilla, amber and musk). Consider it a balm to counterbalance the complicated Mathison. EDP, $90 (50 ml), www.esteelauder.ca

A truly Manhattan spritz for Mad Men’s Mr. Draper
You don’t have to be a long-time viewer to understand Don Draper’s style (or Jon Hamm, who plays Draper). As someone fairly new to the Mad Men bandwagon, even I can detect that his go-to style (crisp white shirt, tailored grey suit and tie) is refined, masculine and classic. And given his interest in brunettes (sorry, Betty!) and drinking in the daytime, we think that Bond No.9 Cooper Square would suit this fancy.
This definitively Manhattan brand and the refined scent (not to mention that the name has terrific synergy with the Sterling Cooper Draper firm too) pair well with Draper’s ethos. Cognac (hello, compulsory 9 a.m. beverage), juniper berry, lavender, myrrh, vetiver, labdanum and timberwood meld together as a masculine woody-oriental spritz that commands attention but maintains a warm side, just like we all know Draper has beneath his stern demeanor. EDP, $170 (50 ml), www.bondno9.com

An elite spritz, naturally, for Barney Stinson of How I Met Your Mother
While we can only suspect in his pre-Robin Scherbatsky dating days he would be sporting whatever fragrance his previous night’s companion was wearing, How I Met Your Mother’s Barney Stinson is a stylish guy and is never seen without a suit. With that in mind, we’re thinking he’d go for a classically masculine spritz like Creed Royal Water.
Fresh and zesty, just like Stinson’s personality (not to mention the ever-funny Neil Patrick Harris who plays him), Royal Water boasts citrus notes with refreshing peppermint, juniper berry, basil, musk and ambergris. Given Barney’s pre-existing royalty complex, we think this is as perfect a fit as well-tailored pinstripes. $285 (120 ml), www.creedboutique.com