Guy Sebastian first shot to stardom in 2003 after winning the first season of Australian Idol. Since then, he has released multiple albums and won numerous awards for his music, but now the beloved Aussie singer has just launched his first perfume, Embrace for Her, into Chemist Warehouse. I sat down for an intimate chat with the hugely popular and incredibly down-to-earth singer, songwriter, and musician to talk more about his debut scent inspired by his wife Jules.
How did your passion for fragrance begin?
I’ve always loved fragrance. When I was little, I remember my dad leaving for work. He’s a geologist and would go away for a month at a time and I was always sad when he left because there was no mobile phones back then, so we weren’t able to communicate with him. We’d see him all dressed up and ready to go to the oil rigs and he’d give us a big cuddle with his stubble and I was left with the lingering smell of Drakkar Noir, the fragrance he always wore. I always loved the smell and I guess it’s something I became obsessed with. Even at school, I used to lay on the aftershave and today I always wear a scent depending on how I feel every morning, and where I’m going and what I’m wearing.
Tell us about the inspiration for Embrace for Her.
I decided to create a fragrance for my wife Jules, who has a unique taste in scents, after being encouraged by my expertise in male fragrances. I am very familiar with male fragrances and knew it was time to expand my skills into creating a female fragrance. I incorporated my love for oud, woods, tobacco, and unique spices that aren’t commonly used in fragrances, which resulted in a scent that was both complex yet easy to understand. When you smell it, you know it’s nice, but it takes a while to figure out why. I wanted the scent to immediately captivate Jules’ attention, which is why I incorporated a sweet aroma that develops into something more with the subtle notes of cedarwood. The fragrance perfectly reflects Jules’ preferences and I am very proud of it.
What are the fragrance notes?
The modern and romantic scent opens with top notes of aromatic and fruity red currant, davana and lychee, with middle notes of red peony, rose damascene and jasmine grandiflorum before transcending into bottom notes of warm amber woods, patchouli indonesia and spicy and exotic vanilla orchid.
Tell us about the creative process.
The biggest thing for me was that I can describe music and be very articulate when it comes to the technical terms. I can describe that to another musician. But to a nose, to someone who makes fragrance, I know what I want but I don’t know how to explain that. So, I had to use a lot of examples. I sent several fragrances through of what I love. I would say ‘I love the woodiness of this and the earthiness of this one and the grassiness of this. I do want a little bit of essence, not rose but oud rose’. I used tons of different examples and then we narrowed it down from there based on all of the samples we received and fed back on.
Why is it called Embrace?
To embrace is very much my love language. I’m a very affectionate person and my kids know they can’t walk past me without cuddling me. It sounds a bit needy (laughing) but that’s how I receive love. Learning each other’s love languages is very important. When you give someone a hug, it’s physical. Touch is what defines an embrace. But a fragrance is the thing that extends the life of that embrace.
Tell us about the bottle.
The concept is the idea of two parts of one whole, coming together and completing one another. The two parts are the square and circle of the chic and strong Embrace fragrance bottle, representing Jules and I embracing one another. The intersection on the bottle forms the perfect shape, and is emblazoned in a fiery red, conveying the passion of our love and connection.
Embrace for Her by Guy Sebastian is available exclusively at Chemist Warehouse stores Australia-wide and online via www.chemistwarehouse.com.au.
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Guy Sebastian’s debut fragrance, Embrace for Her, is a heartfelt tribute to his wife Jules. The scent combines notes of red currant, peony, and vanilla orchid, reflecting Jules’ unique preferences. The bottle design symbolizes their connection, making it a meaningful addition to any collection.