Reeking Havoc: The Unauthorized Story of Giorgio

Written by the L.A. Women's Wear Daily bureau chief, this account of the multibillion-dollar perfume business reads like a superior novel about Hollywood glitz. Ginsberg's wit spices the account of Fred and Gale Hayman, who trounced the competition with the introduction of the new scent Giorgio at their Beverly Hills boutique in 1981. Rivals claimed Giorgio was too heavy for a woman to wear in a confined space but were quick to offer their own ``elevator gaggers.'' None of the imitations, however, approached Giorgio's astronomic sales. Such was the Haymans' happy position until their divorce and legal battle for ownership of the perfume ended with an agreement to share equally from its enormously profitable sale to Avon in 1985. There is much inside fodder in Ginsberg's report on ``havoc-reeking'' in the fragrance industry. (Nov.)