The first scent from Porsche Design Group will debut this fall. The men’s scent — “The Essence by Porsche Design” — was developed jointly by the Porsche SE subsidiary producing high-end accessories and Groupe Clarins’ Parfums Azzaro. As reported in Women’s Wear Daily, “It is a name everyone knows; next to ‘Porsche’ is the word ‘design,’ which is something modern and in the l’air du temps,” said Gérard Delcour, president of Parfums Azzaro and Porsche Design Fragrances.

The Porsche Design U.S. collection will include a 1.7-oz. eau de toilette spray for $54, a 2.7-oz. eau de toilette spray for $70, a 6.7-oz. hair and body shampoo for $28, and a 2.5-oz. stick deodorant for $20. A 2.7-oz. “luxury” eau de toilette spray (in black glass, as compared to the blue glass in the rest of the collection) for $80 is scheduled to come out in the U.S. in November. Just in time for the winter holiday gift-giving season, of course!

Bernard Arnault, chairman of luxury goods LVMH, says that despite dire economic predictions and reports of a falloff in parts of the luxury sector the company expects profits to actually improve in 2008. “We are in a position to meet our objectives for a sharp rise in earnings in 2008,” Arnault just announced at LVMH’s annual shareholders meeting, according to Women’s Wear Daily. “Every time we’ve been [in a difficult economy] we’ve increased market share. We’ve started the year strong. We will not pull off [of the accelerator]. We are focused on innovating.”

Arnault singled out handbags as a strong earner. “There are tons of new leather goods,” he declared. “The Richard Prince bag for Vuitton” - one of our Handbags of the Day — “has been an immense success and we won’t be able to meet demand,” Arnault said. “We can’t produce the pieces fast enough.” He also predicted strong sales this year for Fendi, calling it “one of the most important Italian brands on the market,” and Dior as well — no doubt thanks to Charlize Theron’s captivating fragrance ads (above).

Every time you turn around, someone is coming out with a perfume that has more to do with their name then the fragrance itself.  Following her daughter Paris’ footsteps, Kathy Hilton has created her own fragrance.  “My Secret” has top notes of mandarin, freesia, and peony, middle notes of rose, jasmine, and apricot leaf, and bottom notes of sandalwood, vanilla musk, and sandalwood. Available at Macy’s for $52-$68.  There is also a limited addition, shown in the picture above, that’s available for sale.

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This attractive shave set looks more like artwork.  But it is functional and would be an asset to any gentleman’s bathroom counterspace.  Acqua di Parma created Collezione Barbiere, a line of products exclusively for men.  With a brush crafted from wenge wood and the finest badger hair, and a stand made of burnished brass, this set retails for $636.

As seen in Oprah’s magazine’s “2008 Spring Makeup O-wards” (April 2008 issue, p249). The Chantecaille collection features an eye compact containing fish in deep aqua and rose gold on a gray base with a sheer green overlay. The face compact is a palette of sheer hues ranging from pink coral to pale pink sand. Both compacts come in a galvanized nickel compact. Each sells for $90 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation.

The natural perfumery of Mandy Aftel, Aftelier; introduces Parfum Privé.  It’s said to smell like the night air in Hawaii: sultry and warm. It contains costly essences such as osmanthus, orange flower absolute, ambrette seed (a botanical musk) and the legendary ambergris. The limited edition 2.2 ml bottle sells for $125.  A light, summer scent that brings tropical florals and warm evenings at the beach to mind.