Escada’s samba for your skin

One spritz of Escada’s new spring scent, Rockin’ Rio, and you’ll instantly feel tall and tanned and young and lovely.

While most perfumes just smell pretty, Rockin’ Rio does the impossible: it transports you direct to Brazil, with its riotous Carnivale, skimpily clad gods and goddesses, and non-stop partying. You’ll feel like you spent all day at the beach, and all night clubbing. You’ll imagine the casual glamour of Copacabana (or at the very least, the Barry Manilow song), the caipirinha nights that stretch from Lido to Bara.

Rockin’ Rio’s heart-shaped, ombré bottle shades from grenadine pink to lemon yellow, topped by a sunny-yellow cap, much like a brilliant sunset, or a decadent cocktail you might sip by the shore – a piña colada or Mai Tai, say, garnished with a slice of pineapple.

And the fragrance inside is one hell of a juice: energizing tangerine and warm pineapple flirt with sensual papaya in the fruity top notes. Then, dama da noite blooms, enhanced by lush piña colada, sugar cane, bush peach, bracing sea breeze, and sweet coconut juice. After this cocktail has commenced its salsa on your skin, base notes of driftwood, powder of musk and sandalwood kick in for a deep, sexy finish that will last until you wash it off the next day, along with the smeared mascara from the all-nighter you pulled club-hopping.

Yes, this hedonistic lifestyle of romantic sunsets, wild beach parties, and the hot rhythms of Rio’s carnival is precisely what inspired Brian Rennie, design director of Escada. "Sun-kissed Ipanema girls in the most sexy and colorful costumes – twirling, laughing, dancing to the music. Awash with a lust for life. This inspired me for Rockin’ Rio," says Rennie, who commissioned expert nose Philippe Romano to blend the fruity, floral and citrus sensation for Escada.

Launched by Rustan’s last April 14, Rockin’ Rio transported the Brazilian spirit to Shangri-La Manila’s outdoor venue, which was dressed up in bright citrus and floral colors to evoke the carnival in Rio.

While band Puro Ritmo filled the air with pulsating Latin music, the dance-cum-martial art Capoeira was exhibited by instructors from the Escola Brasileira de Capoeira in the Philippines.

Host Trisha Chiongbian was one of the first to salsa, together with Rustan’s Mara Ceguera and Mariel Joaquin. Lala Dinglasan and her dancers offered salsa lessons to eager dance fans.

Mary Lou Prieto Lovina and Menchie Abelardo wowed the audience with sleek and sassy Latin American footwork, and were awarded best dancers of the night. Greggy Vera Cruz was awarded for being the first guest to arrive, and was also applauded for his red-hot number: a crocheted poncho with matching red pants and hat. Vicky Montenegro was awarded the Girl from Ipanema award.

"We wanted everyone to experience Escada Rockin’ Rio, that’s why we decided to throw this Brazilian party," says Mara Ceguera, Escada’s brand manager. "Throughout the year, Escada introduces exciting fragrances on a limited release. These are the fashion fragrances loyal Escada followers can’t do without. Rockin’ Rio is perfect for Manila’s summers. Its scent is citrus and floral-based, which we love."

Models emulating girls from Ipanema sashayed around the crowd to give everyone a whiff of the sexy, saucy Escada scent, while hunky dancers enticed female guests to salsa. The cocktail of choice was the piña colada, naturally, while Brazilian delicacies were passed around. Truly a Rockin’ Rio night, courtesy of Rustan’s Commercial Corporation.

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Escada Rockin’ Rio comes in 30 ml., 50 ml. and 100 ml. eau de toilette sprays, body lotion, and bath and shower gel, available at major department stores nationwide.