By Julia Casella

“To wear a perfume is a luxury, it’s about spoiling yourself with fantasy”, said Oscar de la Renta of his new line of fragrances. And while it is true that each beautifully packaged bottle smells like a fantasy, there is a reality behind the six scents as each name alludes to a personal element of the designer’s life.

Starting with his birthplace of Santo Domingo, this unisex scent (worn both by the designer and his fabulous head of PR Erika Bearman) combines the citrus and musky aspects of the island—mandarin, bergamont and tobacco– to create a warm yet fresh fragrance.

Granada draws on the lush gardens of the Alhambra , a major source of creative inspiration for the designer, for a sweet, clean floral scent.

Oriental Lace is my favorite and the one most closely tied with fashion–lace being one of his signature fabrics. A warm blend of sweet ingredients, like almond and honey, gain depth with the addition of cocoa and patchouli.

Mi Corazon, meaning “ my heart” or “ my love,” is inspired by his true love–his daughter Eliza and their mutual adoration for the scent of ylang-ylang. While Sargasso (as in the Sargasso Sea) is essential for holding on to the last bits of summer with its crisp marine inspired notes.

And lastly, the perfume inspired by the opulent ginger colored Coralina stone yields a natural, soft, ultra- feminine smell.

The essential luxuries collection is available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue New York,
saksfifthavenue.com, Oscar de la Renta boutiques and oscardelarenta.com for $150.

Follow Julia Casella on Twitter: @Julia_Casella.