Scent her Victorious

The David and Victoria Beckham brand-wagon rolls on with the launch of "his and hers" fragrances.

Whether it was shyness over their declining stardom, or an attempt to show they are still far too busy and important to attend such events, the couple sent two lookalikes to the launch of their aftershave and perfume ranges in London.

The "Intimately Beckham" scents for men and women are, according to the rather breathless press release, "separately superlative and yet together are beautifully complimentary, bringing out the best in each other", which may be one way of the Beckhams turning their noses up at rumours of an unhappy marriage.

For a pair who have developed an almost religious devotion to top-of-the range brands such as Versace, they have opted for the slightly downmarket Coty company to ply their perfume products, with a 30ml eau de toilette costing just under £20 ($59) from High Street chemists.

So what do the Beckhams smell of? According to the publicity, David is "a portrait of modern masculinity", combining talent and a sexy edginess with a love of family and home life. In fragrance terms, that means a bit of bergamot and cardamom mixed with grapefruit to supply a "woody-spicy accord".

Victoria, meanwhile, is "a multi-talented mother, wife, businesswoman and style icon" who is represented by an equally heady mix of lilies, tuberose, orange blossom, vanilla, sandalwood and musk.

It is Mrs Beckham's first fragrance and her husband's second.

The first Beckham scent, Instinct, was launched by Coty in November and was an instant hit, and is expected to generate first-year revenue of more than £20 million.

They are not the first celebrities to launch their own perfume ranges Jennifer Lopez was the first to find success, followed by Beyonce, Paris Hilton, Sarah Jessica Parker and Britney Spears.

It is not just younger stars who have got in on the act; Elizabeth Taylor started the trend more than 15 years ago and even Cliff Richard launched a best-selling range of scents.

Kylie Minogue is rumoured to be launching a fragrance later this year.

- INDEPENDENT