America's Top Model Favors Masculine Scents

Detroit native Naima Mora is heading back to her hometown to host the WALK Fashion Show on Dec. 8. Naima is best known for winning Cycle 4 of "America's Next Top Model," and she has expanded her horizons with the publication of her first book. 

Model Behavior is based on her experiences in the fashion industry, and is meant to inspire young people. The book is available for iPad on iTunes, as well as on eBook. A follow up book, Model Citizen, is also in the works, and will feature a compilation of fan-submitted stories of personal victories. 

Anyone can submit a story at http://naimamoraonline.com, where fans can follow Naima's personal going-ons. Naima's band, Galaxy of Tar, is also anticipating the release of their new album in January 2013.   

What is your favorite scent "in a bottle"?

My favorite fragrance is the Bvlgari Aqva Marine Pour Homme. I know its a men's cologne, but it is really my favorite scent. I don't like to restrict myself to only women's fragrances.

What does it evoke for you? 

I love this scent and I wear it all the time. It has a beautiful fruit and floral filled balance. It is a light scent and it makes me feel beautiful. It reminds me of my family's home in Mexico. My boyfriend bought me my first bottle of it when we visited there together a few years ago. I wore it all the time during the trip, and every time I wear it now it brings back wonderful memories of my family and our beautiful home in Mexico. It takes me back to our garden and makes me feel all warm inside. It relaxes me.

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

I love the smell of mahogany. I have a mahogany table at home and it smells sooooo good. Sometimes I just put my face close to it to smell it. I think scent is so important in our daily lives. A specific fragrance can bring about such calming effects on the spirit.