The power of Paltrow, perfume and a little black dress

By Natasha Bruno

Many believe it to be a rule of fashion that no woman’s wardrobe is complete without at least one quintessential little black dress—a confidence-boosting, perfectly cut, stylish frock that suits any occasion calling for a certain level of chic.

Hugo Boss’s new fragrance Boss Nuit Pour Femme sets out to distill that iconic femininity in perfume form. And who better than award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow to personify that sexy-with-an-edge style? After all, beyond the big screen, Paltrow is a singer, fashion icon, cookbook author, entrepreneur, wife and mother. Versatile, accomplished, cool.

The fragrance opens with a youthful twist of juicy peach and aldehydes. The heart combines a bouquet of timeless jasmine and violets, and the dry down is a warm mix of moss and creamy sandalwood. It’s a scent that’s fresh, has a feminine heart and is in touch with its strong masculine side too.

On the Madrid stop of the perfume-launching schedule, 40-year-old Paltrow sported an attention-getting, form-fitting black leather dress. “To me, the Boss woman is driven, ambitious, and goes after what she wants, but she balances being strong and very feminine at the same time,” she said, “[They’re] characteristics that I strive towards in my own life.”

Boss Nuit Pour Femme Eau de Parfum, $77 (50 ml), www.sephora.ca, www.holtrenfrew.com, www.sears.ca

Watch the commercial.