Balmain, the Parisian fashion house, are launching a brand new fragrance for women this February called ‘Extatic’. Balmain designs with a very specific woman in mind sophisticated with a rocker touch. Glamorous, trendy, feminine, sensual and rebellious. Superb looking yet brazen, a charismatic fashion addict who knows how to combine boldness and elegance. Along with just a bit of a tendency to flirt with provocation…naturally leaving not one person unmoved. “Extatic is the perfect reflection of Balmain fashion: sexy, glamorous, daring… It’s like one of our gowns: able to reveal the sensuality of the woman who wears it.” “Extatic is the olfactory metaphor of the Balmain woman, who captivates through a certain lightness combined with an assertive character, not to mention an ‘aristo-rock’ offhandedness which makes her the irresistible centre of attraction for all eyes…”

THE BOX The box has a chain-mail effect borrowed from an authentic Balmain jacket, gold on the front, black on the sides, the box plays with light and shadow like a true couture fabric and recalls the Balmain fashion silhouettes in chiaroscuro. THE BOTTLE I like the simple black and gold design of the bottle – it’s very classic and feels very Balmain. There are details in the flacon which contribute to a sense of classic designer quality reminiscent of the olden days and also of qualitative accessories and costume jewellery. As in fashion, a subtle blending of materials signs the attitude: the contrast of glass and metal, with shiny and brushed surfaces, instantly captures attention. A mass of glass and heart of the gold-coloured liquid. Engraved with the name of the house, the cap is chiselled with ribbing which evokes both jewellery and silken drapery. The black rod  inside is actually supposed to remind you of a black high heel. THE SCENT Balmain Extatic is a feminine and sparkling fragrance full of daring and sensuality. Described as a oriental floral edible. Extatic opens with a twinkling floral fruity note of nashi pear, rose and osmanthus. It also contains chocolate-scented orchid, iris and night jasmine. And the scent ends with notes of amyris, cashmere wood and a touch of Barenia leather, a nod to the flagship material of the Balmain wardrobe.The perfume which already smells arresting and sexy from the chic bottle, opens on a candied, caramelized fruit opening which lightens up thanks to some light floral osmanthus accents.The perfume is intense enough yet does not club you on the head. What is most pleasurable to experience in this composition is the contrast of delicacy and strength.What I really like about this fragrance is that it is soft and feminine enough to wear during the day but also sexy and glamourous enough to carry you through into a night out. This fragrance is available from Stuttafords and Truworths for R695(40ml), R995(R60ml) and R1195(90ml)