Queen of Jazz in a bottle: Ella Fitzgerald honored in perfume launch debuting this year

12 Jan 2023 --- American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald is the subject of a new perfume being crafted in celebration of her historic career. Widely admired as the “First Lady of Song,” she inspires the fragrance to be called “Ella – by Vincenzo Spinnato,” which will make its debut in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Spinnato, who is a cosmetic chemist, “certified nose” and president and CEO of California-based TurnKey Beauty, was selected by the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation and Fitzgerald’s licensing and brand management agency, Evolution Management, to create the product.

Fitzgerald is notably the most recorded female artist in history. She is the first African American woman to win a Grammy, with 13 wins in her lifetime. She also sold over 40 million records and was the first female to win the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The fragrance will be “reminiscent of Fitzgerald’s favorite scents, aromas and perfumes, with a modern twist (Image credit: Evolution Management).“The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation is thrilled to partner with TurnKey Beauty to create a scent that honors the Queen of Jazz. We look forward to bringing the essence of Ella in perfume form to generations old and new,” says Travis Rutherford, chief revenue officer and co-founder of Evolution Management.

A modern twist to an icon
The Foundation and Spinnato will work closely together to develop “Ella,” which will be “reminiscent of Fitzgerald’s favorite scents, aromas and perfumes, with a modern twist.”

“It’s going to be a wonderful, unique, collaborative effort between Ms. Fitzgerald’s Foundation and me to create just the right scent to honor this icon and national treasure,” says Spinnato. “I am honored to be entrusted with this responsibility of helping to continue Ms. Fitzgerald’s legacy and ensuring that a new generation falls in love with her song books as I have.”

Spinnato plans to create a perfume that will capture a rich, sultry, jazz club feel. “I already know that her favorite color was yellow and that she loved roses, so both will have to be included in the creation of this perfume as well.”

The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation was formed in 1993 to fulfill Fitzgerald’s desire to use the fruits of her success to help people of all races, cultures and beliefs. She broke down racial barriers with her voice, and her talent paved the way for other African American performers.

“Ella Fitzgerald and her timeless elegance has touched all of us in some way with her singular voice,” says Rutherford. “She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra.”

TurnKey Beauty will oversee this project from concept to launch, including product development, manufacturing, packaging/design and marketing/advertising.

Fragrance launches honoring late icons, such as supermodel Iman’s tribute to husband David Bowie, have come into prominence (Image credit: Love Memoir).Immortalized in fragrance
Capturing the essence of a timeless icon in a fragrance bottle is giving brands a platform through which they can connect with fan bases that seek new experiential products that bring them up close and personal with their idol.

Recently, US pop star and icon Billie Eilish unveiled a fresh iteration of her original “Eilish” fragrance, with notes of warmth and sweetness. The Bad Guy singer’s latest perfume developed the original fragrance to convey a feeling of “her sensual side and being drenched in these notes, worn to envelop the skin.”

Meanwhile, capturing the essence of love in her new marriage, celebrity socialite Paris Hilton unveiled Love Rush on the cusp of her first wedding anniversary to the author and venture capitalist Carter Reum.

But as the latest Ella Fitzgerald-inspired launch evidences, the trend is not limited to the stylings of contemporary celebrities who are still around today. Earlier this week, Guerlain of LVMH collaborated with Maison Matisse – founded by the painter Henri Matisse’s great-grandson, Jean-Matthieu Matisse – to launch Jasmin Bonheur, a fragrance inspired by the artist’s hues of orange apricot, purple iris and rose pink.

Previously, supermodel and entrepreneur Iman Abdulmajid and livestream shopping platform HSN partnered to launch Iman’s debut fragrance, Love Memoir. The fragrance scent is a tribute to her romance with her late husband, pop legend David Bowie – dubbed an “intimate reflection” of their tender relationship.

By Benjamin Ferrer