Punk Priestess Prefers Powdery Pale

Niagara is known internationally as the "High Priestess of Punk." Once a member of the band Destroy All Monsters, she is now busy with an array of projects, ranging from her own apparel lines with Pink Pump and Japan's Hysteric Glamour, to her recent art exhibit, WAR PAINT, which just closed at Detroit's Re:View Contemporary Gallery. A more extensive bio as well as a gallery of her artwork can be found on her website. Here, she answers our classic "In A Bottle" questions with an iconoclastic twist.

What is your favorite fragrance "in a bottle"? 

I'm not really a perfume fanatic ... mostly because I don't make time to find that particular fragrance that matches my persona, soul, mood or whatever people do match it to.  

Although one really must have some kind of bouquet to be civilized. And there's where I already have to veer from your first question. Because there's no "bottle," I prefer fragrance to be in powder from. It's lighter (scented) and whiter (good on white skin). When I do wear perfume, I wear DIVA by UNGARO. Does the name sound narcissistic? It has narcissus in it.

What does it evoke for you?

I like that it could be a man's fragrance, more male than unisex. Farthest from sweet, it's a blend of forest notes — woodsy, mossy, deep and, they say, luxurious. A luxurious forest.

It's rich-y and slightly witchy. It's consciously commanding but not abrasive. It might give strength.

It seems to stand apart. I like it for those reasons.

What is your favorite scent that can't be captured "in a bottle" and why?

I thrive on the smell of gasoline at service stations. 

And once a year our Night-blooming Honeysuckle is intense. It's magic and unbottle-able. In fact the scent of night-blooming flowers is a world away from day-scented flowers. Datura is blooming now ... very mysterious and oozing licentiousness. 

Stiletto Girl Shares Taste for Candy

Tawny Thieu is a retail dynamo with Pink Pump and P2 women's clothing and accessory stores throughout metro Detroit. Her latest boutique, P2 Exchange in Royal Oak, celebrates a cool mix of shoes, jewelry, handbags and ... candy. With the mission statement "all things sweet," it's no wonder Thieu likes her scents with a little bit of sugar.

What is your favorite scent "in a bottle"?

Right now I'm loving CANDY by Prada.

What does it evoke for you?

Soft, sweet, sensual notes! It's not overly sweet or overpowering. The best fragrances should be subtle.

What is your favorite smell that can't be captured "in a bottle," and why?

Brewing vanilla camomile tea. The aroma fills the room and instantly relaxes me. I prefer drinking tea in the evening; it totally soothes a stressful day.

We love the private label apparel by international icon Niagara available exclusively at Pink Pump.  Stay tuned for Niagara's "In A Bottle" picks tomorrow.

Nicole Richie Goes Back to her Roots...with New Perfume

For Nicole Richie, life is getting a lot less simple! The reality star turned fashion icon is busy with release of her new fragrance, Nicole, which is being added to her already extensive résumé. Along with her successful accessories line, House of Harlow 1960, Nicole debuted as a mentor on NBC's Fashion Star this past year. 

The perfume was inspired by Richie's memories of her mother's unique layers of fragrances. "I knew exactly what I wanted to do because my mom would combine different oils and lotions, and the blend of scents became very special to me," she said. "Nicole blends the smells of my childhood memories with the aromas of the present."

Richie worked closely with esteemed perfumer Steve DeMercado to perfect Nicole, which grew into a classic, yet modern, blend of a variety of notes such as vanilla, cashmere woods, blackberry, golden amber, and Moroccan rose. The bottle itself was beautifully crafted by luxury design expert Dale Brandon Kan. 


Richie calls Nicole "a spiritual balance of femininity and bohemian." On Aug. 29, she appeared at Macy's in Glendale, Calif., to unveil the new perfume. She will also be making a similar appearance at The Grove's Nordstrom in Los Angeles on Sept. 20. 

Nicole eau de parfum is being sold at Macy's, Nordstrom, Dillards, and other department and specialty stores nationwide in two sizes: 1.7 oz ($55) and 3.4 oz ($69). Richie has also released an accompanying body lotion and shower gel.