Scents of the World

Scent has a way of transporting us to other places, locales and landscape far away, both real and imaginary. A number of new or soon-to-be released fragrances from leading fashion houses is a quick way to travel around the globe — all in a few sprays.

Be Tempted by DKNY brings us to New York, with an apple that is “redder, shinier and sexier.” Top notes of black currant and licorice are softened by rose oil, orange flower, and vanilla.

A preppy beach vibe of Nantucket is found in The Girl by Tommy Hilfiger. The clean scent, in stores in September, evokes mild sunny days by the seashore and cruising the bay on a Chris-Craft.

Midnight Shimmer by Michael Kors evokes a stroll along the Garden District in New Orleans, with jasmine and freesia notes tempered by wood and balsam.

Wonderlust by Michael Kors takes us to Andalucia in Spain. It’s a spicy, sultry scent — think Italian bergamot and pink pepper with Dianthus, sandalwood, and the vanilla-like touch of Heliotrope. It hits the market in September.

With Cashmere Aura by Donna Karan we travel up the Mediterranean coast to the French Riviera, lured by orange oil, ylang-ylang, and vanilla. Aura is an update to Karan’s classic scent Cashmere Mist.

The ancient trading routes of the Silk Road underlie Ermenegildo Zegna’s Essenze Gold Collection. Amber Gold features an intensely dark Bulgarian rose with lavender and patchouli; Incense Gold’s smokiness comes from leather and saffron, along with Italian cypress and lemon. Musk Gold highlights black pepper and coriander with Moroccan cedar wood and opulent oud.