The inspiration for the creation of the Alexandra de Markoff Company was a wealthy and sophisticated Russian noble woman for whom the company is named. Established by Countess Alexandra de Markoff; a fashion house; affiliated to Prince George of Russia and Ballarde Inc; now part of Revlon.
Alexa, Inc. was founded by Martin de Markoff was an abbreviation of his mother's name, Alexandra de Markoff. The company name he ran under was Martin de Botelho, NY, NY (and a citizen of Brazil).
Her skincare and cosmetics preparations had to be the best available anywhere in the world. Premium quality was not the exception for Madame de Markoff, it was the rule.
When film stars of the 20's needed foundation that stayed perfect even under the lights, make-up artist Anatole Robbins created Countess Isserlyn.
The perfumes of Countess de Markoff:
- 1939 Alexandra de Markoff
- 1940 Spring Goddess
- 1940 Virgin Flower
- 1940 Water Nymph
- 1946 French Jasmin
- 1948 Fragrant Fern Cologne, re-launched in association with Revlon in 1979
- 1951 Tribute
- 1955 Tiara (sophisticated, voluptuous floral)
- 1972 Enigma (originally by Alexa, Inc)
- 1979 Alexandra
- 1979 Aston
- 1994 No Regrets
- Magical Gardens
Alexandra: In association with Revlon; a classical soft semi-oriental fragrance with a medley of natural flowers and heady spices, of Italian iris, South African marigold top note, French jasmine, Moroccan rose, French jonquil heart with a warm underscoring of Indian sandalwood, musk, mousse de chene, Singapore patchouli and Reunion vetiver.
- Top notes: Italian iris, South African marigold
- Middle notes: French jasmine, Moroccan rose, French jonquil
- Base notes: Indian sandalwood, musk, Singapore patchouli, oakmoss and Reunion vetiver
Tribute: heady oriental perfume with notes of oak moss and oriental balsams.
Enigma: A woody oriental chypre parfum. Patchouli dominant composition - semi-oriental.
- Top notes of green aldehydes, citrus, bergamot, coriander, pimento, herbs
- Middle notes: jasmine, rose, ylang ylang
- Base notes: sandalwood, carnation, amber, rosewood, spices, patchouli and oakmoss.
Aston: Citrus and lavender overtones warmed by sandalwood, patchouli and middle eastern spice offerings.
No Regrets: Sub-titled 'because life is too short'; in association with Revlon; a crisp white floral parfum.
- Top notes: mandarin, ylang ylang, galbanum, osmanthus
- Middle notes: lily, orange blossom, tuberose, gardenia, orris, night queen
- Base notes: oakmoss, tolu balsam, musk, sandalwood, vetiver
Tiara: is a voluptuous floral.
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The New Yorker, 1938:
"You can get De Markoff’s bath essence (a pungent, floral odor) with an atomizer in a case for $5. His jasmine satin-covered soaps, bath oils, and powder have been famous for years"
The New Yorker, 1939:
"De Markoff: Cologne de Markoff (both men and women go for it) is put up in a towering conical bottle with the longest atomizer top you ever saw; $5. His elegant bath ensembles include a pungent, floral toilet essence, oil, soaps, and powders. The essence with four soaps is $3. His satin-wrapped jasmin soaps are very popular."
Alexa Inc. Perfumes:
A separate line created in 1944, called "Alexa Perfumes" absorbed some of the fragrances originally sold under the "Prince George of Russia" name such as Tiara. The Alexa line also repurposed the black glass bottles originally used by the Prince George of Russia line.
Perfumes sold under Alexa Inc:
- 1944 Enigma
- 1944 Tiara (originally sold under the Prince George of Russia name)
Enigma was launched in 1944 by Alexa, Inc. It was still being sold in 1949. In 1949, both Enigma and Tiara by Alexa was discontinued. Reasons given in newspaper ads at the time mentioned it was because the packaging style was being discontinued. I do not see any ads for Alexa's perfumes after 1949 so I believe the Alexa line was fully discontinued.
Alexa's Enigma may have been reincarnated as the 1968 Enigma by Alexandra de Markoff, it was also re-released in 1972 not sure if it is the same formulation.
So what does it smell like? Enigma is classified as a musky, spicy Oriental perfume for women.
From vintage ads:
"A dash of Alexa's "Enigma' has the power to make you the tantalizing female you'd like to be."
"Enigma" is offered in two strengths— the Extrait de Parfum, a pure perfume extract, and a light perfume— in several sizes. New and nose-catching!"
"Alexa's Enigma perfume was dramatically packaged in a shiny black bottle with white design and retails at $15 for six drams."
"Alexa's "Enigma," mysterious and charming."
"Women will wear Enigma ("its power mysterious, baffling") to give them confidence to go forth of an evening and conquer — or simply to talk back to the foreman."
The Alexa line was shelved by the mid 1950s and Tiara was relaunched under the Alexandra de Markoff name in 1955.
I have a lovely blue, white and tan floral umbrella with the Alexandra de Markoff logo printed on one panel. Can you tell me when these umbrellas were made and how much they sold for? Thanks. cindyentriken@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi, I would say these probably came out in the 1970s period.
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