Antonio Mcgowan
Marks & Spencer's perfume range has included a fragrance called Isis, a floral aquatic scent for women. The perfume was named after the Egyptian goddess Isis, but the name was changed to Aqua after the rise of the extremist group ISIS, which has the same acronym. The perfume is described as having sparkling aromas of the sea and floral notes of violet, rose, and lily. It has been compared to Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey, with some noting that the M&S fragrance is lighter and less expensive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Previous Name | ISIS |
| New Name | Aqua |
| Fragrance Type | Floral Aquatic |
| Top Note | Sea Notes |
| Middle Notes | Lily-of-the-Valley, Rose, Violet |
| Base Note | Cedar |
| Perfumes It Resembles | Issey Miyake, L'eau D'Issey |
| Price | £8.50 for 50ml, £16 for 100ml |
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What You'll Learn
The perfume was originally named after the Egyptian goddess Isis
Marks & Spencer bosses initially refused to scrap the name, saying it had been going for 25 years. However, they eventually renamed the perfume range to "Aqua". This decision was made after the rise of the extremist group ISIS, which caused many shoppers to criticise the name as "totally inappropriate".
The original name, Isis, was chosen to evoke the Egyptian goddess, who was worshipped as the perfect mother and wife, as well as the patroness of nature and magic. The perfume's aquatic and floral notes were intended to reflect the goddess's association with water and nature.
The new name, Aqua, is also fitting for the perfume's fresh and aquatic scent. While some sources claim that the name change is positive, others express concern about naming a terrorist group after an Egyptian goddess.
Marks & Spencer's perfumes are known for being inspired by popular scents from more expensive brands. The Isis perfume, in particular, was noted for its similarity to Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey. Despite the name change, the fragrance itself remains the same, offering a great affordable alternative to more costly perfumes.
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The name was changed to Aqua in 2017
The name of the Marks & Spencer perfume "ISIS" was changed to "Aqua" in 2017. The fragrance was initially launched in 2011 and was named after the Egyptian goddess, Isis. However, the name was changed after shoppers criticised its similarity to the acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, a terrorist group that rose to prominence with a series of brutal acts. Despite initial resistance, Marks & Spencer eventually decided to rename the perfume ahead of Christmas 2017, hoping to boost sales.
The perfume was described as having "sparkling aromas of the sea" combined with flowers of violet, rose, and lily of the valley and cedarwood. It was a popular fragrance, with some customers expressing their love for its scent and affordability. The original name, derived from Egyptian mythology, was intended to evoke ancient Egypt and the goddess Isis, who was worshipped as the perfect mother and wife, as well as the patroness of nature and magic.
The new name, "Aqua," aimed to capture the fresh and aquatic nature of the fragrance. The perfume was known for its aquatic, musky, and woody notes, providing a blast of fresh air and cold water with each spritz. The decision to rename the perfume reflected Marks & Spencer's response to customer concerns and their effort to provide greater clarity around their brands.
The change from "ISIS" to "Aqua" was a significant step in distancing the fragrance from any unintended associations. The tall and beautiful original bottle became harder to source after the name change, but the unique scent remained a favourite for many, offering a delightful sensory experience.
Marks & Spencer's "Aqua" perfume, previously known as "ISIS," continued to offer a delightful olfactory journey with its fresh and aquatic notes, capturing the essence of its new name.
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The perfume has been described as a dupe of L'Eau d'Issey
The Marks and Spencer perfume, Isis, has been described as a dupe of L'Eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake. The M&S fragrance, launched in 2011, is a floral aquatic scent with sea notes, lily-of-the-valley, rose, violet, and cedar. It has been noted for its resemblance to L'Eau d'Issey, with some describing it as \"almost the same\" but with a thicker, more floral scent.
Isis by Marks and Spencer is often praised for its affordable price, selling at £8.50 or £16 for 100ml, in contrast to its more expensive counterpart. The scent is described as light, fresh, and feminine, perfect for daytime wear. However, some reviews mention that it lacks staying power and needs to be reapplied throughout the day.
The name of the perfume, Isis, derived from the Egyptian goddess, has also been a topic of discussion. M&S has since changed the name to "Aqua," likely due to the association with a terrorist group.
Overall, the Marks and Spencer Isis perfume is an affordable, pleasant fragrance that offers a similar scent to the more expensive L'Eau d'Issey, making it a popular choice for those seeking a budget-friendly option.
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It was originally launched in 2011
The Marks & Spencer perfume Isis was originally launched in 2011. The fragrance, which could be bought as an eau de toilette or body spray, was described as having "sparkling aromas of the sea" as well as "scents of violet, rose and lily". The perfume was named after the Egyptian goddess Isis, who was worshipped as the perfect mother and wife, as well as the patroness of nature and magic.
However, in 2017, Marks & Spencer decided to change the name of the perfume range to "Aqua" after shoppers claimed that the name "Isis" was inappropriate due to its association with the extremist group ISIS, an acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The group gained prominence with a string of beheadings and murders, and many customers urged the store to rename the perfume range.
Despite the name change, the fragrance itself remained the same. The new name "Aqua" was chosen to reflect the aquatic and musky notes of the perfume, which included sea notes, lily-of-the-valley, rose, violet, and cedar. The bottle for the Aqua fragrance is tall and beautiful, and the scent is described as a blast of fresh air and cold water, perfect for those who want a clean and fresh fragrance.
The Marks & Spencer Isis perfume, now known as Aqua, continues to be a well-loved fragrance, offering a great alternative to more expensive perfumes with similar notes.
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It was available as an eau de toilette and body spray
The Marks & Spencer fragrance initially named "Isis" was available as an eau de toilette and body spray. The perfume was launched in 2011 and was described as having "sparkling aromas of the sea" combined with "flowers of violet, rose and lily of the valley and cedarwood". The scent was inspired by the Egyptian goddess Isis, who was worshipped as the perfect mother and wife and the patroness of nature and magic.
However, following the rise of the extremist group ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Marks & Spencer faced criticism and calls to rename the fragrance. The name was deemed "totally inappropriate" by shoppers, and in 2017, the company announced that the range would be rebranded as "Aqua".
The perfume was previously known for its fresh and aquatic scent, with some noting its resemblance to Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey. Despite the name change, customers hoped that the unique scent would remain the same.
Marks & Spencer's "Isis" perfume, now known as "Aqua", continues to offer an affordable and pleasant fragrance option for its customers. The eau de toilette and body spray options provide versatility, allowing individuals to enjoy the scent in different forms.
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Frequently asked questions
The Marks and Spencer ISIS perfume is now called Aqua.
The name change came about due to criticism from shoppers who claimed the name was "totally inappropriate" because of its association with the extremist group ISIS.
The original name refers to the Egyptian goddess, Isis, who was worshipped as the perfect mother and wife and the patroness of nature and magic.
The perfume has been described as having "sparkling aromas of the sea combined with flowers of violet, rose and lily of the valley and cedarwood". It is said to be a dupe of Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey but lighter and more airy.
