Masculinity in a bottle
Forty years ago, the great fashion designer Etienne Aigner caused a major sensation when he introduced his first handbag collection in New York. Since then, Aigner has been the elite class of German products — a symbol of unique craftsmanship, highest quality and perfection in all its wide range of products. This German brand with an Italian soul has made the horseshoe a popular logo in the fashion industry.
Like fashion which constantly and continuously evolves, customers’ needs also change all the time. But Aigner’s flexibility in meeting all these needs does not. The brand has always had the courage to remain true to itself yet it has never dispensed with innovation.
And so 40 years later, Aigner still causes quite a stir. Recently, the brand introduced its new offering in its line of fragrances — the Aigner ImanI2.
Unsurpassed mastery of the art, careful attention to detail and the brand’s visual aura — all this had been captured and refined in this precisely sensual masculine perfume. Aigner ImanI2 is the perfume for the classic modern man, defined primarily as a strong, self-aware personality.
“We try to understand what the consumer wants and to offer him this,” says Fredy Pais, Aigner export director, who was in Manila recently to launch the new fragrance. “We know that the trend nowadays (in fragrances) is to have a lighter fragrance, simple but sophisticated and long lasting. (Those) which have high quality ingredients.” Pais, who has been with the company for 18 long and productive years, believes that “a scent, at the end of the day, is most important” and that “I doubt that you’re buying (a perfume) if the scent is completely against your personality.”
He is most proud that the new Aigner ImanI2 fragrance interprets in a pure form what it means to be male, establishes a clear profile and creates a powerful, lasting impression. To use this perfume is to acknowledge one’s masculinity fully and without hesitation. “The power of two symbolizes charisma and elegance. So we’ve chosen Enrico de Maria, winner of the American Cup Regatta of 2007. He symbolizes masculinity which suits the fragrance very well — simple but elegant and with charisma and shows confidence,” explains Pais of the fragrance’s image model.
To truly satisfy the man who will make Aigner his scent of choice, Aigner ImanI2’s head note begins with two elements that forcefully project pleasure — the effervescent freshness of Sicilian lemons and the aromatic scent of sage. This paves the way for the vibrant middle note of herbal emphasis — the intensive combination of aromatic tarragon and aniseed scents is the key to strong virility, supported by a hint of warmth from cinnamon. The base note’s noble structure releases a muscular, opulent aroma that contrasts with the middle note. As skilled craftspeople, Aigner’s perfumers have formed the base note around two constituents that are truly timeless in character: supple, satiny amber and elegant tobacco. These two play the dominant role in the composition, though its eminently masculine character is also emphasized by fine woods such as cedar, kashmir and patchouli. Two warmer elements, tonka bean and vanilla, round off this intoxicating sensual experience.
Elegance and charisma — these are what the new Aigner perfume is all about. Aigner ImanI2, which is already available in major department stores, reaffirms the brand’s vision to be more than just one brand among many. Undoubtedly, men will be backing a winner by splashing or spritzing this new fragrance from Aigner. — Jerni May H. Camposano
