When Marilyn Monroe spoke about her love for Chanel No5, the fragrance became an instant icon. But what is it that makes a perfume withstand the test of time? This is something that still baffles contemporary perfumers who are constantly trying to make the next big thing in the fragrance world.

Thierry Mugler Angel (1992)Angel is the first fragrance by Thierry Mugler. The bold, indulgent scent bucked the minimalist nineties trend with it’s fruity, multidimensional ingredients and is still hugely popular today. It’s current cover star is Eva Mendes.

Daisy by Marc Jacobs (2007)The fashion designers first perfume is now a classic amongst twenty something's. Launched in 2007, the fragrance now has many variations but the original, which contains a heady mix of strawberry, jasmine and musk, is still a bestseller.

CK One (1994)

Simple, understated and accessible, CK One is the original shared fragrance. The unisex scent was a huge hit in the nineties, where simple, subtle perfumes were all the rage. Supermodel Lara Stone is the face of CK One, which is directed at a younger, trendy crowd. It is still one of the world’s bestselling perfumes.

Tresor, Lancome (1990)

The fragrance at the very heart of the Lancôme brand, Trésor is the most successful perfume in the house of Lancôme.Since its launch in 1990 this iconic fragrance has been embodied by some of the world’s most beautiful women. Italian screen siren, Isabella Rossellini, was the original muse of Trésor bringing the fragrance immediate and worldwide success. In 2007, British actress Kate Winslet took over, followed by Penelope Cruz, who is the current face of the scent.

DKNY Cashmere Mist (1994)Donna Karan’s most iconic fragrance is designed to feel like a cashmere jumper on the skin. It’s woody, sweet scent was an instant hit back in 1994 and it remains a classic staple fragrance for many.

nais Anais by Cacharel (1978)Cacharel's first fragrance, Anaïs Anaïs, was created in 1978. With its easy to wear, lightweight and floral scent, it was an instant hit with girls looking for their first perfume.The fragrances' formula is still the same as it was back in the seventies.

Jean Patou JOY (1929)

Labelled as the world’s most expensive perfume, JOY was first created back in 1929. The perfumer - Jean Patou – created a scandal in the oppressed days of the Depression back in 1929 by combining an extradionary large amount of expensive ingredients including Jasmine from Grasse and Damascene Rose from Bulgaria. In its day it was the second most popular fragrance in the world, after Chanel N°5.

Ghost (2000)The internationally renowned label Ghost turned the fragrance world on its head when it launched its first signature scent – Ghost The Fragrance, in 2000. A classic and ultra-feminine perfume, it is an essential scent for many today thanks to its elegant, sophisticated character and a loyal following which continues to grow.

Shalimar by Guerlain (1925)Pierre and Jacques Guerlain based Shalimar on a story they were told by a Maharajah in Paris in 1925. They created an intoxicating perfume out of exotic flower scents, sandalwood, spices, Iris, hesperides and opopanax in a base of amber. They decided that this perfume should be called Shalimar, meaning ‘the abode of love’ in Sanskrit.