One of the most commonly asked questions of Kate on Twitter, Facebook and her vlogs is, "When is Boyfriend coming to (insert country)?" Kate’s fans are very persistent, fiercely loyal and extremely eager to get their hands on some of this tantalising fragrance named ‘Boyfriend’, none more so than her international fans. Particularly Brazil! It seems Brazil desires Boyfriend almost as much as it loves Kate!!
Boyfriend was released in the US and Canada via HSN in November last year, and in Sephora stores, in February this year, and Kate has promised that it will be released internationally soon. Not soon enough for some of us however! Walshies outside of the US and Canada did not want to wait for the international launch of Boyfriend. Patience is not one of our collective virtues. Boyfriend was HERE and we wanted it NOW!! Walshies the world over began wracking their brains to try and remember if they had a long lost relative, a friend, or a cousin of a friend’s aunt’s sister’s nephew, who resided in the US or Canada AND who was prepared to make a purchase on their behalf. Many conversations began with the words “Would you mind sending me some of Kate Walsh’s Boyfriend please?” One can only imagine the “Whaaaa?” and confused responses from those not in the know!!
For those of us who had no such contacts, it became a daunting, but not impossible, venture. The talk on Twitter was all about Boyfriend!!! Most commonly heard was “I can’t wait to get my hands on Kate’s Boyfriend!’. ‘OMG Kate’s Boyfriend smells divine!’ Not something you ordinarily hear!! The back rooms of the Tw’orld were awash with tw’eeps making deals to get Boyfriend to those outside the US!! At times it felt like a highly illegal operation, with identities revealed as real names and addresses were swapped, payments organised and deals made!! During these dealings many real friendships were forged as we trusted ‘virtual strangers’ to deliver on their promises of either product or payment!!
So, with many Americans offering their services as ‘International Boyfriend Smugglers’, they found themselves placing large orders on HSN and making multiple purchases at Sephora stores! Sales figures were probably skewed in certain stores and zip codes due to the sheer amount of Boyfriend being moved off shore!! The US Postal Service also benefitted as it became an unwitting part of ‘Operation International Boyfriend’!!
One of the first overseas recipients was myself when Boyfriend made its Australian debut way back in November, thanks to HSN and a very kind and trusting NYC tw’eep. My Boyfriend Solid Compact arrived in my mail box ‘disguised’ as an Indian curry, for no reason other than the packaging was handy at the time, but I like to think it added to the intrigue!! Several other European tw’eeps received similarly packaged ‘tv dinners’ in their mailbox that week!! Best smelling ‘curry’ ever!!
Boyfriend has also made it's way to impatient Walshies via ‘International Boyfriend Couriers’- a network of travelling Walshies, family, friends, and business associates. Ruth in Sweden, upon hearing a business associate had an American contact, asked if he would assist in her quest for a Boyfriend?! A few raised eyebrows resulted I’m sure as she was seated next to her husband at the time!! End result, some highly amused dinner party guests and the Swedish chapter of ‘International Boyfriend Couriers’ took on their first assignment. The CEO of a major Swedish financial institution recruited an American counterpart who planned to visit Sweden in a few weeks, to make the requested purchases. He, in turn, asked his PA to make the trip to Sephora in NYC. Voila! Boyfriend was on his way to Sweden! And several people, who otherwise would never have met Kate’s Boyfriend, had the chance to make his acquaintance!
Anna activated the Netherlands branch of ‘IBC’ enlisting the help of a friend travelling to NYC, who visited every Sephora store searching for Anna’s potential Boyfriend. It was an anxious wait for Anna as stores were sold out everywhere, until on the last day; she finally found a bottle of the EDP!! Boyfriend was off to the Netherlands. Another happy international customer!
Kate’s Boyfriend is very well travelled now as he also resides in Germany with Jasmin, who used a unique connection to make her purchase. Jasmin is an ardent fundraiser for charity and when Kate introduced us to her fundraising projects on Crowdrise last year, Jasmin immediately joined and began raising funds for her own projects. Through her charitable works Jasmin has connected with many people from all over the world and when an American Crowdrise friend offered to purchase Boyfriend for her, she jumped at the chance. The twist however, is that instead of Jasmin paying directly for her Boyfriend she made a donation to the Crowdrise project of her fellow fundraiser’s choice. So Boyfriend not only smells great, he’s also a philanthropist!! Check out both Jasmin and Kate’s Crowdrise projects here: http://www.crowdrise.com/katewalsh http://www.crowdrise.com/JHenke
Elea, also from Germany, was thwarted at almost every move to obtain her Boyfriend, and she tried many times. HSN was first on her list. She had a US address but HSN said no!! They required an American credit card. How many other people were caught out this way I wonder?? I know I was! Option 2 was a German friend travelling to the US, but she was an inexperienced ‘IBC’ and didn’t check her email in time and thus, returned home empty handed. Third time lucky perhaps? Not likely!! Elea phoned Sephora stores in the US state her next ‘International Boyfriend Courier’ was visiting and was told, “If you're looking for a fragrance that's called Boyfriend, which obviously doesn't exist, you should get a reality check and a real boyfriend!". Whoah Dawg – to quote Kate!! Boyfriend does indeed exist and I am pleased to report that Elea persisted and finally has Boyfriend firmly in her grasp – the ‘International Boyfriend Couriers’ did not let her down a 4th time!!
There have been friendships made and forged not only by fans’ devotion to Kate but also by their desire and love for her Boyfriend! (Quote that sentence to someone who doesn’t know about the fragrance and watch the reactions!!) The following stories personify how Walshies feel about Kate, her Boyfriend and their fellow Walshies. Sabine, in Holland, posted her Boyfriend to another Walshie, Edna (Froukje), for a couple of weeks just so she could smell it and not feel left out when we chatted on twitter!! I've sent cards scented with Boyfriend to tw'eeps in the Philippines and around Australia who wanted to smell it but have been unable to get their hands on any otherwise. Ines from Portugal credits Kate’s Boyfriend for introducing her to her own real life boyfriend, and a group of Walshie’s is currently organising a European drop (and then distribution to Australia and Asia and throughout Europe) for those who are running low or have yet to have a "Boyfriend Experience". But, by far the best Boyfriend story is a ‘feel good’ one.
Back in February, Christchurch, in New Zealand, was hit by its second major earthquake, causing devastation, destruction and death. One of the affected was a favourite tw’eep, Erana, a Kate fan from way back. She had no power or water, her house was damaged and a lot of possessions were lost, but her family were all okay, and that was THE most important thing to Erana. Throughout the whole ordeal, which is still ongoing today, she was, and is, ALWAYS immensely grateful her family was safe and well. To cheer her up a little and to let her know we were thinking of her, a group of international Boyfriend lovers sent her a surprise gift - her very own Boyfriend, not only to show we cared but also to ensure she smelt good, as she had no water!!! The idea was formulated after a Walshie twitter chat, coordinated from Holland, ordered from HSN, delivered to NYC, posted to NZ, & paid for by tw’eeps from 8-9 different countries.... none of whom had ever met!! Boyfriend has definitely drawn many people together!
There are many stories like this out there. Many schemes and plans that have come to fruition and resulted in some happy Boyfriend lovers, and of course, some that haven't worked out quite so well! But Walshies are nothing if not persistent, as attested to by the continual asking of the million dollar question!!!! The good news however, is that Kate recently announced that Boyfriend is about to go global!! That is definitely something to look forward to. Soon everyone on this giant blue marble we all share will be able to nuzzle in together to smell the vanilla, musk, night blooming jasmine, rich plum and woody notes that make up Kate’s wonderful fragrance ‘Boyfriend’. And even though the ‘International Boyfriend Couriers’ may disband, I am sure that all the friendships forged due to Boyfriend ‘smuggling’ will linger on long after the scent of Boyfriend has worn off.
Do you have a Boyfriend story? How did you get your Boyfriend? Share it with us in the comments section below!!
