Rock legends Blondie and Iggy Pop front designer Paco Rabanne’s Black XS Be a Legend campaign

It was reported at the end of 2014 that iconic musicians Debbie Harry and Iggy Pop have been chosen as the faces of Paco Rabanne’s new Black XS Be a Legend fragrance campaign. The bold, fresh and exuberant scents have been matched to the veteran pop stars known for their fearlessness and unique approaches to music and style. The Black XS scent range has been a popular fixture on the fragrance scene since its launch in 2005 for men and 2007 for women, making it among one of the best-sellers for both the female and male market. The premise of the new edition continues its theme of rebellion and vivaciousness, with a blend of ingredients to provide a twist on the original scent.

Designers and fashion houses from across the spectrum appear to be taking a growing interest in older consumers, being reflected in the choice of models presented at the forefront of recent campaigns. Maturity doesn’t have to mean outdated or unfashionable, as Jessica Lange has shown to much acclaim for Marc Jacobs, and as has Catherine Deneuve (at age 70) for Louis Vuitton. An aging population means that older people are more likely to be financially secure and have greater consumer power.

Debbie, who turns 70 this year, is the legendary lead singer for US punk-pop group Blondie. Born in 1945, she shot to fame when Blondie’s Heart of Glass exploded into mainstream consciousness, having previously built a reputation with Blondie on the underground punk and disco circuits. She inspired women of all ages globally to emulate her look and attitude, and that influence has continued to encourage female empowerment in the music industry. Artists such as Madonna, Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga have all cited her as a role model. Before this however, Debbie Harry and her friends were well known on the underground music scene in New York and would socialise with figures such as Andy Warhol, Eddie Sedgwick and Velvet Underground. Not limiting her talents to music, she’s also appeared in more than 30 films and written for other artists.

Iggy Pop has previously collaborated with Paco Rabanne. The 67-year-old American rock musician, songwriter and political campaigner has been involved in music across a number of genres, and is the vocalist of influential protopunk band The Stooges. The Stooges reunited in 2003 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Last year he gave the fourth annual BBC Music John Peel Lecture in Salford, discussing free music in a capitalist society.

The simplistic images accompanying the promotion are striking and unapologetic in black and white – the models wearing tuxedos tying in with the colour scheme and style of the bottles and packaging. Both are known for their unique and distinctive looks. Whilst Harry has modelled and appeared on numerous magazine covers throughout her career (her cheekbones are as sharp as the Michael Schmidt dress made from razor blades she has worn on several occasions), Iggy Pop’s signature long hair, bare chest and jeans have made him instantly identifiable over three decades of music and performance.

Staying true to the original fragrance blend, Black XS Be a Legend for her uses elements of hellebore, black vanilla, patchouli and oud. The top notes are cranberry, pink pepper and tamarind, with the heart of violet, rose and cocoa, and the base of patchouli, vanilla and massoia wood. The partner male scent contains top notes of lemon and sage, with the heart of cardamom, cinnamon, praline and tolu balsam, and the base of patchouli, black amber and rosewood.

Emma Pugh
Photo: Courtesy of Paco Rabanne

Pre-order 50ml or larger from The Perfume Shop and receive a complimentary double-sided Paco Rabanne bag printed with the promotional images of Debbie Harry and Iggy Pop.