Grabbing a fragrance for yourself is a little luxury in life that we dabble into quite often; why not do the same for your dog?
Like many of us dog parents (and anyone who agrees that dogs are simply the greatest thing on the planet), treating not only ourselves but our furry companions is instinctual, and Dolce&Gabbana understands more than anyone. Offering luxurious collars to incredible poop bag holders, now Dolce&Gabbana Beauty is joining in on the fun as the beauty titan has just released its first alcohol-free fragrance for dogs titled FEFÉ.
Now officially available on dolcegabbana.com, Dolce&Gabbana’s ‘Fefé’ fragrance was specially crafted for the house by renowned Master Perfumer Emilie Coppermann, sourcing inspiration from Domenico Dolce’s unconditional love for his loyal dog Fefé. With a blend of Ylang Ylang, Musk, and Sandalwood, the alcohol-free scented mist is certainly going to make the others sniff in jealously when you bring your pooch around to play. Made with care and quality in mind, Dolce&Gabbana Fefé was evaluated by dogs under the assessment of ethologists (and was proven to be a hit around other dogs), with an added seal of approval from veterinarians and dog owners, establishing the safety for your dog’s skin and eyes while delivering malodor control, which was certified according to the SAFE PET COSMETICS protocol.
To learn more about the incredible fragrance, V chatted with Coppermann to discuss how the hilariously fabulous project came to be.
V Magazine: What were some of your initial thoughts when approached by Dolce&Gabbana to create a fragrance for dogs? What compelled you most to want to be onboard for this creative idea?
Emilie Coppermann: After getting over the initial surprise, I was immediately excited to work on this project. Dolce&Gabbana and I have been collaborating for a while now and this is a brand that always surprises me. I really saw this project as something fun. It was the first time I created a fragrance for dogs, and I instantly recognized the quirky and creative potential of it. I believe it perfectly aligns with the current trends, as the role of our pets has significantly evolved in recent years, globally.
V: How did you manage to bring in the spirit of unconditional love that Domenico Dolce wanted to incorporate in homage to his dog, Fefé?
EC: I grew up surrounded by animals, especially my childhood dog, Onyx. I know the unconditional love that can exist between people and their dogs, and I drew a parallel between my own story with my dog, the love I had for him and the relationship between Domenico Dolce and Fefé. This has inspired me to create.
V: Even down to the bottle, did you find it a challenge to keep the scent playful yet luxurious?
EC: Playful? I didn’t even question that. It is part of the brand’s DNA and it was obvious to me from the very beginning of the creation process. The idea of creating a perfume for dogs for DG as a luxury player seemed logical.
V: Let’s talk about the scent—at the beginning stages, did you have any particular notes in mind that you knew would work out for the fragrance? Did the idea of creating a scent for pups in an alcohol-free formula present any challenge?
EC: At Symrise (one of the world’s top Flavor&Fragrance houses) we have a subsidiary specialized in pet products working with a panel of 1,000 dogs and cats, as well as ethologists (scientists who study animal behavior in their natural environment). To create a fragrance suitable for a dog, I started with ingredients they enjoy, that would also be as colorful as Fefé’s fur: ylang-ylang, sandalwood & musks. A sunny note, delicate and soft as a cloud. The alcohol-free aspect was not a challenge, as this is how we create perfumes for babies.
V: With the fragrance having a seal of approval from veterinarians and dog owners, and having been certified by the SAFE PET COSMETICS protocol, how do you think the fragrance differs from others on the market?
EC: The fragrance was developed according to the regulations in force on the subject, the additional certifications obtained by Dolce&Gabbana on the finished product are further proof of how much the project has been taken care of in every detail. I believe there is nothing similar on the market.