Introducing Elizabeth and James Nirvana, Mary-Kate and Ashley’s newest fragrance collab
While you may have owned an assortment of Olsen twin-branded drugstore fragrances in the mid-‘90s, the multi-millionaire moguls’ newest offering is of a much different calibre. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have ditched the pre-teen scent scene and entered the world of adult fragrance with two alluring eau de parfums. Launched as an extension of their contemporary Elizabeth and James brand, Elizabeth and James Nirvana White and Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black hit Sephora shelves this month and are sure to, for lack of a better cliche, fly off them.
Because in the era of just about every personality wanting to grow their brand—and audience— with a fragrance, it was actually consumer demand that prompted Sephora to partner with the Olsens. “Roughly two years ago, Sephora’s Kendo division — the development arm that handles strategic partnerships — approached Mary-Kate and Ashley after a fashion market research survey commissioned by the beauty retailer continually referenced the Olsens’ Elizabeth and James brand,” WWD reported in November.
Being the business-savvy successes that they are, Ashley and Mary-Kate took a hands-on approach to designing the two fragrances. They went through more than 50 versions of what would become Nirvana Black, which is described as “sensual, woody scent” comprised of violet, sandalwood and vanilla notes. (It’s reminiscent of the luxe fragrances that are spritzed in the air at moody, boutique hotels.) Nirvana White, the yin to Nirvana Black’s yang, was an easier scent for the twins to develop. It’s a fresh, floral musk with notes of peony and muguet. And should you find both Nirvana Black and Nirvana White equally intriguing, not to worry. They come in three very affordable sizes: 50 ml ($90), 30 ml ($66), and a rollerball ($28).