#88 Truly Unforgivable

I do not wish to be a chastising naysayer, nor do I intend on taking up the flag of the modern feminist (who, by the way, is a seriously dying breed) - but, something surely must be said about the range of fragrance-bath-and-body-garbage that now makes up a serious part of Sean John's avaricious arsenal. Why do today’s ‘stars’ feel the need to pump their questionable wares into an already-saturated market? Sadly, because they sell. And in the case of Sean John’s UNFORGIVABLE for men and women, both scents hit the tops spots across key markets within weeks of launching.

It is not the quality I am descrying (mass market, but of course Mr John had 100% control and tireless input into the scent), nor the scent itself – (a creamy floral with a hint of pina colada. Hey, who’s to say what should rock your boat?) – it is the grasping, ingratiating hands that flock towards the promise within the champagne-coloured (naturally) bottle. The women who fall for the hackneyed ideologies –

‘When she moves, I stop. When she speaks I am lost. She is desire. She is illusion. Elusive in her way. A beauty catching you off guard. Enticing and unnerving. She is control and submission. Intellect and innocence. Sensuality and strength. Capable of taking what you dream and making it real. Of making what's real the ultimate dream. She is the tease. The fulfilment. Only she knows the path between sensuality and strength. Able to entice and unbalance. She is everything that makes dreams real. Everything that pushes limits. Everything that makes this life sexy. She is UNFORGIVABLE.’

Perhaps it seems an obvious question, but what about the above description of a woman makes her unforgivable? Unforgettable perhaps, but to be deemed dangerous and unsettling – solely because one is wiser, bolder and more powerful than a man – implies an uncomfortable double-standard. Of course, double standards are rife here anyway – ‘she is control and submission’? Of course she is. The eternal struggle between the Virgin Mary and the Whore – the fuel firing the fantasy of many a straight man the world over... sexy secretary; naughty nurse; slutty school teacher.

For those who like a bit of role play and have long lived & loved the aspirational lifestyle sold via E!, OK and US Weekly, you’ll be pleased to know that Sean John has expanded the line to include an unguent bubble bath, which comes in a faux-bubbly bottle. Bubbles & bubbly – a nice, neat ploy – but in reality, the plastic bottle looks embarrassingly low-rent. But, there’s no doubting that the new addition will have some popping their corks, while others will roll their eyes in quiet judgement. As for me, the new launch coupled with the uneasy sentiment of the jarring, breathy adverts strikes an unsavoury note that is difficult to forget and, quite impossible to forgive.