Picture this: it’s Mother’s Day and your local branch of Penhaligon’s has just been taken over by some of the most famous fictional mums of all time, queuing up to make a purchase with their gift vouchers. But which perfume will they go for? Is there a Penhaligon’s scent to suit every sort of mum…?
Mrs Bennett from Pride & Prejudice – Yes, she’s a snob and she can be an embarrassment to her family, but you can’t say that Austen’s most famous mother doesn’t love her daughters. Jubilee Bouquet – with its powdery evocation of the past – is the ideal scent for her loyal, traditional nature.
Gertrude from Hamlet – She’s just lost her husband, her son’s going mad and the whole kingdom’s falling to pieces around her. It’s no wonder she’s fallen into the arms of the first semi-eligible man who tried to woo her. Or maybe she’s not as blameless as she’d like us to believe? Innocence and corruption combined? It’s got to be the wicked florals of Amaranthine.
Marmee from Little Women – She is easily one of the most perfect mums ever to grace the pages of a novel. Night Scented Stock is the pillow-soft smell of smiling mothers as they kiss their children good night in fairy tales. It’s a no-brainer: the two are meant to be together.
Maria Von Trapp from The Sound Of Music – What makes the hills come alive? How about Lily Of The Valley? It’s fresh, radiant and conjures up springtime like no other smell. Be warned: excessive application may lead to spontaneous yodelling.
Mrs Moore from A Passage To India – She’ll go for Malabah first, but quickly change her mind, worried about the memories it might bring back. Eventually, she’ll choose Lily & Spice: its head is in the flower gardens of Europe, but its heart is in the spice markets of Mumbai.
Claire Huxtable from The Cosby Show – One of the best known mums ever to appear on TV was noted for her directness, intelligence and sexiness… three words that sum up the irresistible Orange Blossom.
Morticia from The Addams Family – A long, black dress can hide a multitude of secrets… like a flask with a boozy mix of brandy, wine and dark, sticky berries. Or maybe Mrs Addams has just bathed herself in the intoxicating brew of Elixir?
Marge from The Simpsons - Bart’s long-suffering mum is the epitome of sweetness, so she’ll definitely go for Violetta, the perfume that makes you think you’ve just buried your nose in a packet of Parma Violets. And Homer probably won’t mind her smelling like a confection either.
M from James Bond – All right, strictly speaking, she’s not a mother, but we can bend the rules for the woman who keeps 007 in line. Apparently he wears Blenheim Bouquet, so she may well go for Castile. Yes, technically, it’s a masculine cologne, but that’ll suit her just fine. If all the boys around her are wearing clean citrus concoctions, the last thing she’ll want to do is stand out. Subtlety is her forte.
And now it’s over to you: who’s your favourite fictional mum and which perfume do you think would suit her best?
About our guest blogger: We’re pleased to introduce our first guest blogger, Persolaise. Shortlisted for a Jasmine Award, Persolaise is an amateur perfumer who is passionate and knowledgeable about fine fragrance. If you enjoyed this post as much as we did follow his blog Persolaise – A Perfumer’s Blog.
Thinking, thinking…. Love sweet colors, I wonder which is it?
No question about the best fictional mum: Cher performing a unconventional single mother of the 60′s (Mrs. Flax), in MERMAIDS.
Her Penhaligons would be Gardenia EDT with notes of Violet, Rhubarb, Bergamot, Hyacinth, Magnolia, Green Leaves, Gardenia, Rose, Ylang, Orange Blossom,Tuberose, Jasmine, Clove, Cinnamon, Lily of the Valle,
Benzoin, Sandalwood, Musk and Vanilla.
It is translucent, soft, radiant and sensual eau de toilette, just like Mrs. Flax. A soliflower in the 60′s – unconventional, special, unique mom.
The black & white ribbon wrapping on the top somehow reminds me of the character’s taste too.
Nice article Persolaise!
No question about the best fictional mum: Cher performing a unconventional single mother of the 60′s (Mrs. Flax), in MERMAIDS.
Her Penhaligons would be Gardenia EDT with notes of Violet, Rhubarb, Bergamot, Hyacinth, Magnolia, Green Leaves, Gardenia, Rose, Ylang, Orange Blossom,Tuberose, Jasmine, Clove, Cinnamon, Lily of the Valle,
Benzoin, Sandalwood, Musk and Vanilla.
It is translucent, soft, radiant and sensual eau de toilette, just like Mrs. Flax. A soliflower in the 60′s – unconventional, special, unique mom.
The blck & white ribbon wrapping on the top somehow reminds me of the character’s taste too.
Nice article Persolaise!
Love it – esp that you mentioned Marmee!
Well, she’s right up there with the all-time best fictional mums, isn’t she?
What a wonderful idea to match Penhaligon’s scents with mothers! (and yes, a fitting choice for a mother’s day gift).
Maybe not my favorite fictional mum, or not _anyone’s_ favorite one for that matter, but arguably the most formidable one, Lady Aston from Sir Walter Scott’s Bride of Lamermoor comes to mind. I will have her wear Amarinthine.
Another fictional mum whose husband said to her, “A neat little house OR four children, I will not be able to afford both.” She chose four children, and the rest is history. Sweet Mrs Banks from P.L. Travers’s Mary Poppins wears Bluebell.
Great suggestions, Warum… although I must confess I’ve haven’t seen nor read Mary Poppins.
Oh dear, I feel like I’ve made an earth-shattering revelation…
I love that you included Claire Huxtable! You get major points in my book for that one. I’ve always felt that Lily & Spice is a perfect gift for any mother, grandmother, aunt, sister or friend; you really cannot go wrong with it.
I will choose English Fern for Katherine Hepburn’s character Ethel Thayer in the film On Golden Pond. There is strength in tradition, and I can hardly think of a better pairing.
Thanks Carrie. I always loved watching The Cosby Show, so Claire Huxtable was one of the first mums who came to my mind.
I haven’t seen On Golden Pond, but I’m sure your suggestion would work well.
Mrs Weasley, from the Harry Potter stories – Cornubia, simply because I love it and she deserves the best.
The zingy orange-related notes need no explanation for the matriarch of the red-headed clan; the warmth and cuddliness because she’s so loving to poor Harry; the overall potency and oomph because she is *not* to be overlooked or dismissed; and the whole lot guarantees that Mr Weasley will abandon his interest in Muggle plugs and concentrate on his missus.
Anna, you’re right, there IS something ginger-y about Cornubia…
I think all of the 50′s to 60′s era American television mom’s (June Cleaver, Harriett Nelson, Margaret Anderson) would probably have worn the same fragrance–one just like Marmee from Little Women.
The later era TV moms would be very different….What would Roseanne have worn?
Roseanne! Good question! I’d completely forgotten about her. I can’t say a perfume for her immediately springs to mind.
I love this!
The only problem is I only know 2 or 3 of the perfumes you mentioned, now I’ll have to look into others.
Btw, you made me realize I need to read Pride and Prejudice again.
Ines, P&P certainly stands up to repeated reading, not that I’m the world’s biggest Austen fan.
Greatest line from M in James Bond, “If I want sarcasm Bond, I’ll talk to my children!” A feisty mum!
Ah, so technically she IS a mum! Good, I’m even more pleased I included her.