Prolific Perfumes

February 2007

Profumo by Acqua di Parma

Profumo by Acqua di Parma was once the fragrance of Hollywood’s Golden Era—the favorite of Ava Gardner and Lana Turner. The nearly 100-year-old fragrance is a sophisticated composition with top notes of bergamot and mandarin mingled with light floral and smooth spice.

Notes: Bergamot, orange, ylang ylang, iris, grasse jasmine, rose, patchouli, oakmoss, gray amber, vanilla.

In an Essence: Woodsy and sophisticated.

$100. Chérie, Wayzata, 952-475-2212

Shalimar Parfum by Guerlain

Created by Jacques Guerlain at a time when Europeans were fascinated with the Orient, Shalimar Parfum is Guerlain’s most successful and enduring fragrance. Shalimar is named after “The Gardens of Shalimar,” where the love of an Indian emperor and his wife Mumtaz-Mahal—for whom the Taj Mahal was built—grew. Shalimar, with its “Forbidden Fragrance” tagline, first seduced the world in 1925. Shalimar’s hazy oriental aroma is encased in an art deco bottle, making it the quintessential oriental fragrance.

Notes: Bergamot, iris, vanilla, amber.

In an Essence: Powdery oriental.

$104. Neiman Marcus, Mpls., 612-339-2600

Opium by Yves Saint Laurent

Introduced in 1977, Opium symbolizes Yves Saint Laurent's fascination with the Orient. Opium arouses the senses with a blend of lush floral and deep woodsy notes as well as rich spices. Opium has displayed some of the finest advertising in the perfume industry—models such as Jerry Hall, Linda Evangelista, and Kate Moss have graced the ads, shot by top fashion photographers, including Helmut Newton and David Lynch.

Notes: Tangerine, plum, cloves, coriander, carnation, lily of the valley, rose, myrrh, opoponax, castoreum, cedarwood, and sandalwood.

In an Essence: Spicy oriental.

$63.50. Bloomingdale’s, Mall of America, 952-883-2500

Chanel N°5

Coco Chanel commissioned Ernest Beaux to make six abstract perfumes—lab-produced perfumes, conjuring up no precise floral scent—“a woman’s fragrance that smells like women.” Each was numerically labeled, through No. 6. Chanel liked to No. 5 and introduced it on May 5 , 1921 . Since the number five was Chanel’s lucky number, the name stuck. The perfume hit cult status when Marilyn Monroe claimed to a reporter that all she wore to bed were a few drops of No. 5.

Notes: Ylang ylang, neroli, grasse jasmine, may rose, with a hint of sandalwood and vanilla.

In an Essence: A soft, abstract floral.

$110. Macy’s, Mpls., 612-375-2200

Fracas by Robert Piguet

At the height of the Paris fashion movement in the 1930s and 1940s, a famous French couturier, Robert Piguet, was known for his eloquent, seductive designs that encapsulated Parisienne style and sophistication. In 1944, Piguet debuted his first fragrance, the little known (and no longer available) Bandit. Fracas was his more successful follow-up, which quickly became the signature fragrance of a coterie of Parisian women.

Notes: Tuberose, jasmine, jonquil, gardenia, lily of the valley, white iris, orange, sandalwood, vetiver, musk.

In an Essence: A fresh floral with s slight musk.

$65-$95. Nordstrom, Mall of America, 952-883-2121

L’Air du Temps

The Paris fashion house of Nina Ricci, founded by Turin-born Maria “Nina” Ricci and her son, Robert, in 1932, was known for its refined, romantic, and feminine designs. In 1948, Robert introduced the iconic L’Air du Temps fragrance. This ageless fragrance mirrors the feminine ideal of the couturier’s designs.

Notes: Jasmine, gardenia, carnation, peach, sandalwood, jasmine, rosewood, neroli, vetiver

In an Essence: A heady floral composition.

$49. Macy’s, Mpls., 612-375-2200

Clive Christian 1872 Perfume Spray for Women

This is the Rolls Royce of fragrances. In 1999, Clive Christian acquired the Crown Perfumery, a celebrated British perfume house established in 1872. The house acquired its name after Queen Victoria granted the use of the royal crown as a mark of quality and excellence. Inspired by history and tradition, Christian created this new luxury perfume with exotic, natural ingredients, encased in a bottle designed in 1872.

Notes: Bergamot, tangerine, rosemary, rose de mai, lily of the valley, jasmine, purple violet, cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli, erogen musk, and moss.

In an Essence: A spicy floral with hints of citrus.

$285. Neiman Marcus, Mpls., 612-339-2600

Eau du Ciel by Annick Goutal

Its French translation–water of the sky—is an apt description for this aerial medley of fresh scents. Created in the 1980s to subtly interpret the notion of innocence. This newer classic, and other fragrances by the French perfumer Annick Goutal, are catching on and have become favorites of fashion editors.

Notes: Brazilian rosewood, violet, Florentine iris, and lime blossom.

In an Essence: A soft floral with a hint of citrus, very light, and easy to wear.

$95. Bloomingdale’s, Mall of America, 952-883-2500

Tubereuse Indiana by Creed

This perfume is part of both the 200-year-old perfume house’s vintage collection and the Millésime product line of fragrances, which contain the highest percentage of natural essences found in the French perfume industry.

Notes: Indian tuberose, Bulgarian rose, ylang ylang, vanilla, ambergris

In an Essence: A feminine, but not overpowering, floral that’s softened with a hint of vanilla.

$165. Neiman Marcus, Mpls., 612-339-2600

Original Vetiver by Creed

This irresistible men’s cologne is also from Creed’s vintage collection and Millésime line. But unlike traditional vetiver fragrances, Creed’s version is fresh and contemporary with deep woodsy notes topped by mandarin, bergamot, and spicy ginger.

Notes: sandalwood, Florentine iris, musk, vetiver, and ambergris.

In an Essence: A delicious balance of fresh green and sensual wood aromas.

$190. Neiman Marcus, Mpls., 612-339-2600

Joy by Jean Patou

In the early 20th century, French designer Jean Patou was known for eradicating the flapper look and introducing sportswear for women. His effort to move fashion toward comfort made him a favorite among wealthy American women. But when the stock market crashed in 1929, so did the luxury fashion market. The House of Patou created Joy for American women who couldn’t afford his clothes. Still, it was called the “costliest perfume in the world” by American socialite Elsa Maxwell, combining more than 10,000 jasmine flowers and twenty-eight dozen Bulgarian roses to make just one ounce.

Notes: Jasmine and Bulgarian rose.

In an Essence: Classic. Sophisticated. Extravagant.

$128. Macy’s, Mpls., 612-375-2200