FOR top designers, fine fragrances are an important complement to their fashion collections.

Most of us can but dream of wearing some exquisite creation hot off the catwalk. Let's face it: the closest we'll get to wearing Cerruti or Chanel is a dab of designer scent on the wrists and neck.

Today, designer fragrances are an affordable treat and have proved to be a lucrative spin-off too for the leading names in fashion.

The latest launch comes from Giorgio Armani: Mania. It combines saffron, musk and vanilla with bergamot, orange blossom, nutmeg, clove and iris to create a warm, woody, yet soft scent.

For Armani, Mania is the latest launch in his perfume range which already includes Acqua Di Gio and Emporio Armani for him and her.

But the newest kid on the perfume counter is Paul Smith, who has brought out a signature scent for men and women.

It marks a new direction for the British designer, who began his career in 1970 when he opened his first shop in Nottingham with just £600 capital.

Today his multi-million-pound design empire expands across the globe and his tailoring - mixing the traditional with the eccentric - has made him the toast of celebrities such as David Bowie, Johnny Depp and Cate Blanchett.

Paul Smith Women is a floral fragrance, combining bergamot and clementine with blackcurrant, pear and pink peppercorns. Paul Smith Men is a woody mix of orange, lavender, basil and cardamom. The distinctive glass rectangular bottles, pink for her, green for him, were designed by architect Sophie Hicks.

Both Mania and Paul Smith Women and Men are available at Fenwick, Coppergate, York. A 50ml Mania eau de parfum costs £37.50. Paul Smith Women costs £24 for 30mls, £30 for 50mls and £42 for 100mls. Paul Smith Men is priced at £22 for 30mls, £26 for 50mls and £34 for 100mls.