Often when we meet people for the first time, we notice their outward appearances. We look at what they’re wearing, their body features, and how they present themselves. But another thing you might notice immediately after is their smell. Chances are you’ll recall the last unfortunate instance you bumped into someone who forgot to put on deodorant that day or, on the reverse, the delightful aroma of someone’s perfume or cologne. 

Speaking of delightful aromas, luxury brand Bond No.9 has recently released a new line of pure eau de parfums based on iconic New York City locations and traits. Each scent stands out as a perfect homage by its founder, Laurice Rahmé, to the city that never sleeps. To celebrate these enticing new smells, we’ve come up with a list of notable NYC icons and which scent reminds us of them. 

Robert De Niro

Scent: Bleecker Street

We’ve come to know Robert De Niro as a Hollywood icon for his award-winning performances in multiple cinematic staples. Truly, he’s come a long way which is why the best scent to associate with him would be a scent reminiscent of where it all started for him— Bleecker Street. De Niro spent his childhood years on this very street, being exposed to all sorts of artistic communities as his parents were active members of the art scene. Bond No. 9’s Bleecker Street scent captures this area’s artsy vibe through its bottle design channeling the Art Deco craze of the roaring ‘20s. Its scent reinvigorates the senses with its harmony of violet leaf, jasmine, cassis, and thyme blending with rich layers of cedarwood, cinnamon, oak moss, suede, patchouli, amber, and vanilla. 

Anne Hathaway

Scent: Madison Avenue

For many lovers of coming-of-age films, Anne Hathaway will always be known as the young aspiring journalist Andrea Sachs struggling to keep up with the demands of fashion icon Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. Her constant aiming for the top gives off the same aura as the hustle and bustle energy commonly seen along Madison Avenue due to its strong ties to the advertising industry. Hence, it’s only fitting that the Bond No. 9 scent based on the busy area be associated with her. This bottle’s aromas are filled with the fruity scents of apple, blackberry, and bergamot intertwining with rose, magnolia, jasmine, patchouli, praline, and ambroxan. 

The Notorious B.I.G.

Scent: Chez Bond

Christopher George Latore Wallace, best known as The Notorious B.I.G., has cemented himself as the King of New York due to his efforts to bring East Coast rap to mainstream audiences. Even after meeting his tragic end in a drive-by shooting in 1997, Biggie’s music continued on as his posthumous releases continued to make waves in the music scene. It’s only fitting that we associate the late rap icon with Chez Bond, a scent dedicated to the cool, strong, brash, and unabashed nature of New Yorkers. This scent largely channels a mix of citrus tones, herbal tea accord, violet leaves, cedarwood, and sandalwood.

Madonna

Scent: Chelsea Nights

It’s hard to believe that the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna, started out doing odd jobs here and there to make ends meet after flying out to New York City with nothing more than $35 in her pocket as she claims. Today, we know her as a challenger of norms, always coming up with provocative new ways to push her music forward. There’s no other scent better than Bond no. 9’s Chelsea Nights to portray “What It Feels Like for a Girl.” Chelsea Nights is a scent meant to last the entire night that aims to make a statement. Taking its inspiration from the art haven of Chelsea, New York, Chelsea Nights uses scents of saffron, cocoa absolute, cedarwood, amber, vanilla, suede, and patchouli oil.   

Sarah Jessica Parker

Scent: New York Nights

Sex and the City has long been praised for changing the ways we view single women. Through the lens of Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Samantha, we navigate around the daily escapades of Samantha and her friends as well as the difficulties of their everyday lives in New York City. Often we see how each night is a different night for all of them, breaking the stereotype that single women over 30 lead dull lives. It’s the kind of energy present in New York Nights, wherein each night is a new adventure waiting to be explored. Its aromas include a mix of jasmine, patchouli, sandalwood, coffee, and caramel. 

Jay-Z

Scent: FiDi

Known worldwide as one of the richest rappers in the world, sitting at an estimated net worth of over $2.5 billion, Jay-Z is the epitome of a New Yorker who has risen all the way to the top. He is known to be a formidable investor, having a keen focus on real estate and new technology. If his net worth isn’t enough to impress, he also stands as the record holder for the rapper with the most Grammy Awards, having been awarded 24 times. Through his work as a producer, he has also made waves in the music industry by bringing other hip-hop legends into the spotlight like Rihanna, Kanye West, and J Cole. It’s only fitting that we pick FiDi, based on New York’s famed Financial District, as the best scent to associate with Jay-Z. This scent perfectly encapsulates the energetic and outgoing confidence needed to tackle the waves of Wall Street. Its fragrance consists of a brilliant mix of Madagascar black pepper, bergamot, mandarin, nutmeg, lotus flower, cedarwood essence, vanilla, and musk.

To experience the luxurious fragrances offered by Bond No. 9, you need not travel all the way to New York City. Bond No. 9 is exclusively available at Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza, Rustan’s Makati, and Rustan’s Alabang. Rustans.com