The Iconic Perfume Was Inspired by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

If you’re anything like us on the Who What Wear UK team, you may also be devouring Love Story right now. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy was undoubtedly one of the biggest style icons of the ’90s, and with the launch of the show, we’re all once again enthralled by her impeccable taste. But as a beauty editor, I’m also equally obsessed with her minimalist approach to her beauty, from her pared-back makeup to her covetable “’90s blonde” hair colour. And if you’re wondering what perfume she wore, then you’re in luck.

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy was known to wear a very simple Egyptian musk oil (which she picked up from a street vendor in NYC) called Abdul Kareem Egyptian Musk Oil. It’s out of production now, and very, very hard to come by. However, what’s less well-known is that her close friend, fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez (who also designed her wedding dress), actually created a scent inspired by CBK herself. As it turns out, Narciso Rodriguez For Her (£54) was actually created for her.

If you’re not familiar with the iconic Narciso Rodriguez For Her fragrance, allow me to introduce you to it. It’s a musk scent that launched in 2003. It’s long been one of my favourite perfumes ever (it was the first “grown-up” perfume I bought), but knowing it was inspired by CBK has only deepened my appreciation for this timeless and elegant perfume.

It’s a minimalist perfume and truly a pioneering skin scent of its time, long before it became a whole fragrance category itself. Musk takes centre stage in the eau de toilette (the eau de parfum, housed in a pink bottle, arrived later and has a noticeably different scent profile). Blended with creamy orange blossom and osmanthus, grounded by earthy vetiver and patchouli, it unfolds as woody and musky with a soft floral edge, gently sweetened by warm amber and smooth vanilla. I’ll admit, the opening spritz on a blotter can be misleading—this isn’t where the real enchantment lies. It’s in the hours that follow, as the fragrance settles and begins to glow from the skin, that it turns utterly hypnotic and irresistibly addictive as it becomes one with your skin chemistry.

When I put this on, I instantly feel wrapped up yet refined—it’s like swaddling yourself in the plushest, most luxurious cashmere. There’s a gentle muskiness that reminds me of burying your nose into the jumper of someone you adore. It’s warm and subtly sensual, but never loses its elegance or timeless appeal. It’s the kind of scent you can wear absolutely anywhere; it’s polished enough for the office, yet perfectly suited to an evening out. There’s also a soft, woody undertone that feels grounding and quietly calming.