Guy Sebastian reveals the romantic inspiration for his new fragrance
One of Australia’s best-loved singer-songwriters, Guy Sebastian credits this one source to his success – and also the inspiration behind his debut fragrance.
Her loving embrace has always been there for him in times of celebration and in the more challenging chapters of his life.
It therefore stands to reason that his first love was the first thing that came to mind for Guy Sebastian when he was creating his debut fragrance, Embrace For Her, exclusively for Chemist Warehouse.
“I am definitely someone who receives love from touch and words that come from an unconditional place, and Jules is incredibly loving and kind,” Guy says of his wife of 15 years, Jules.
“I can honestly say that I do not know where I would be without her.
“There have been countless times where Jules’ words and touch have pulled me out of things that have weighed heavily on me.
“That was the reason I called the scent Embrace.”
Jules Sebastian is the inspiration behind Embrace for Her
The couple have known each other for almost 30 years, becoming friends as young children before romance blossomed when they grew into teenagers.
“Naturally, when you are with someone for that many years, through thick and thin, walking through all the seasons of life together, the love and respect continues to grow,” reflects the singer-songwriter behind the massive hit Battle Scars, which also features US rapper Lupe Fiasco.
“I have watched her evolve through decades of life: marriage, babies, work, good times, bad times, and she is always the same — the kindest and most consistent person I know.
“Jules is always thinking about others and the impact of others. She is the most emotionally intelligent person I know.”
Family front and centre for Guy Sebastian
The couple have two young sons, Hudson, 11, and Archie, 8, who, like Guy, love music.
A devoted father, Guy relishes spending time with his family.
Whether it’s going on bike rides, having a backyard barbecue or playing sports, he jokes that “there’s never a dull moment with two boys and a dog” in the house.
When he’s not recording or touring, Guy says his daily life isn’t exactly rock and roll. Instead, it involves “getting the kids out the door for school, spending time in the studio writing and recording, having a hit of golf, playing the piano”.
The singer confesses to being more than a little “golf obsessed” and his idea of pampering is a day on the golf course.
“I also love taking the boys fishing and watching their sport, especially playing basketball in the back yard, which is pretty much a daily activity,” he adds.
“Little Archie is really good and practises so much! Apart from that, I just really love having people over.
“Cooking and hanging out watching the Big Bash (cricket) or some random, flavour-of-the-month streaming series.”
Guy Sebastian’s journey to household name
Guy rose to fame in the days before streaming services in an era when prime-time television still ruled supreme.
As such, more than 3 million Australians tuned in to watch him crowned the first Australian Idol.
It was the ninth highest rating show in the history of Australian television and turned Guy and fellow contestants such as Shannon Noll, Rob Mills and Jessica Mauboy into overnight — and enduring — celebrities.
Though the TV landscape has changed and Guy himself evolved from contestant to coach, Idol was revived this year with a new panel of judges and a new generation of talent.
Although Guy isn’t part of the reboot as he’s busy working on his own music and his commitments on The Voice Australia, he welcomes the show’s return.
“Any opportunity for talent to be discovered and music being on TV is a positive thing,” he says.
Remember the hair?
As a contestant on the first season of the series in 2003, Guy made a huge impact with his big voice and big hair.
While that iconic “fro” has long since been tamed into a short crop, keeping his curls under control is still a daily battle.
“I still have really curly hair. I just keep it really short with a tight fade (a stylish tapered cut similar to an undercut) to keep it easy to handle every day,” Guy says, with a laugh.
How Guy does skincare
Guy’s hairstyle isn’t the only thing that has evolved over the past two decades in the spotlight.
At the urging of his make-up artist on The Voice Australia, Guy, 41, has also begun taking care of his skin.
It’s nothing too over-the-top — just a daily cleanse and moisturise.
“I even use a little eye cream, too,” he reveals.
“I try to do it every day but obviously miss some. I have found it makes a big difference.
“To be honest, I’m really lucky to have parents with great skin. My dad still looks so young and his skin is seriously good.”
Guy’s life-long love of fragrance
It was Guy’s father who triggered his life-long devotion to fragrances.
One of Guy’s earliest memories is the aroma of his dad’s signature cologne lingering in the air after he’d waved him off to work for the day.
To this day, whenever he smells Drakkar Noir he thinks of his dad and is reminded of his happy childhood.
“Everyone who knows me well knows about my somewhat unhealthy obsession with fragrance!” he says.
“I never leave the house without a scent on.”
Given his penchant for perfume, developing his own scent felt like a natural progression of creativity to Guy, especially with Jules as his inspiration.
“It felt very natural to create (Embrace) with (Jules) in mind,” he says.
“She says Embrace is very ‘me’, which I think is a good thing because she has chosen to put up with me for a long time.”
Becoming a fashion risk-taker
Jules hasn’t just inspired the feminine and modern notes of Embrace.
Under her sartorial stewardship and lots of inspiring collaborators, Guy has evolved from a “T-shirt and jeans guy” to fashion risk-taker.
“I really love fashion,” he says.
“Over the years I have learnt to take risks and not care about opinions.
“To me, personal fashion choice is an expression that reflects how a person feels in that moment in time.
“Sometimes that changes and so, in turn, the choices change.
“Sometimes you look back and think to yourself, ‘What the heck was THAT moment?’, but I think that’s what makes it fun.”
Guy Sebastian Embrace For Her features top notes of red currant, davana and lychee, with mid notes of red peony, rose damascena and jasmine grandiflorum, before transcending into a warm combination of amber woods, vanilla orchid and patchouli Indonesia.
Guy Sebastian Embrace For Her 125ml EDP, $49.99, is available from Chemist Warehouse.
Read more on celebrity fragrances:
- Why artist David Bromley has released a fragrance line
- ‘Pressure makes diamonds’: How Delta Goodrem found her Power
- Kylie Minogue on the lessons she’d teach her 25-year-old self
Written by Siobhan Duck. Photography by Steven Chee.
