Nick Jonas is the man. I mean, he scored Priyanka Chopra after all and she’s A-league all the way. But recently, NJ smells good, too. Well, at least that’s what he wrote to his 23 million followers on Instagram, “That moment when you know you’re the best smelling guy in the room. Thanks @johnvarvatos (sunglasses smiley face emoji) #JVxNJ.” Almost 800,00 agreed, while another near 4,000 said nice things in the comments section. I’m not 100 per cent sure how or why all of his fans are so super supportive because I’m thinking they can’t actually smell him when he’s performing on stage… but his new fragrance JVxNJ is a collaboration with John Varvatos, so there’s that.
More than a bit of a rock star in the international luxury menswear world, Varvatos’ is as equally renowned for being the cool guy on the designer block as he is for creating hit after ready-to-wear hit. His eponymous brand has featured Iggy Pop and KISS in past ad campaigns, while he’s spent a baker’s dozen of years in collaboration with Converse, The Ramones and The Clash’ favourite shoe.
Now it’s NJ’s turn. Sure he’s more good-boy than Varvatos’ idols Jimmy Hendrix or The Rolling Stones, has cleaner hair, wears zero makeup and openly admits to using Kiehl’s under eye cream, but the partnership makes sense.
NJ’s outgoing and friendly demeanour is captured in the eau’s zesty lime, mandarin, Kaffir leaf, pink pepper and cascalone, while the JV brand’s cool vibe is felt through the fresh, earthy and aromatic notes of lavender, sage, rosemary, mint and hedione. The juxtaposition of hip and accessible merges with the scent’s irresistible, warm and sexy blend of sandalwood, clearwood and ambroz super for an overall effect that I can only describe as swagger. Which seems fitting really, because if you’re going to tell everybody you’re the best-smelling dude, well then you need to own it and wear it like you mean it. And I think he does.
John Varvatos, JVxNJ is available in 125 ml for $115 at Hudson’s Bay stores across Canada.
