Khadine by Yardley c1968

Khadine was launched in 1968 by Yardley where it continued to be a hit. It was re-launched in 1972 in association with Old Bond Street Corp.  

The formula for Yardley's new perfume underwent many tests and finally narrowed down to 21 different possible creations released to a test market. These sample creations underwent significant consumer tests in several European countries as well as the United States. The winner became what we know as Khadine.

Fragrance Composition:

So what did it smell like? It was a classified as a fresh floral oriental fragrance for women.  It starts with a fresh green top, followed by a light, yet lively floral heart, resting on a powdery, feminine base.

• Top notes: aldehydes, green citrus, galbanum, hyacinth, estragon, bergamot
• Middle notes: jasmine, Bulgarian rose otto, carnation, ylang ylang, clove, pepper, orris, magnolia, lily of the valley
• Base notes: vetiver, myrrh, patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, amber, benzoin, incense, oakmoss, musk

Khadine was available in the following:

• ½ oz Perfume Oil for Bath & Body
• ½ oz Perfume
• 2 oz Cologne Mist
• 3 oz Perfumed Cologne
• 3 oz Perfumed Foam Bath
• 6 oz Cologne Concentre
• 7 oz Perfumed Powder
• 3 ½ oz Soap Cake
• 100 gram Perfumed Talc
• Perfume Amulet Sachet
• Body Lotion

A 1968 article reads:

“Yardley, the makers of “Khadine” body scenters ran an advertisement showing a girl dressed in the style of 11th century Persia. The style at the time was painted bosoms, and the Model in this advertisement has her breasts painted bright blue as in medieval Persia. It may start a trend. Yardley spokesmen also predicted something else…”Bellies have been straight for a longtime. We’re trying to bring back the gentle curve.”

A 1968 introductory ad reads:

"To Give A Khadine Harem Chest Means I Cherish You Above All Others .A Padishah could own all the women he wanted The one he wanted most was the Khadine. Maybe she resisted, where others were too willing. Perhaps she was clever, while the others were merely beautiful. But whatever the reason, she was the chosen one. The favorite of the harem. The Khadine. To ward off competitors, she wrapped her figure in floating gauzes and clothed her skin with fragrant oils. She bathed in perfumed waters. And hid little candles of incense in every room where she walked. In the end, no one knew whether he was her slave, or she was his. Yardley has created a fragrance for the kind of woman she was. The kind who could win against overwhelming odds. We think there are still a few around.”

1968 ad::

“Khadine is a unique scent recreated by Yardley for the kind of woman she was. Give your woman a Harem Chest filled with Khadine opulence to tell her you cherish her above all others.”

1968 advertisement:

“Khadine the enchanting new fragrance by Yardley. Whispering of lands faraway mysterious and beautiful delicate jeweltone blossoms gathered at their freshest.”

A 1969 ad reads:

“Khadine it means favorite of the harem. She’ll move in fragrance and thrill to the exquisite packaging. Incomparable gifts for a very special woman. 

Khadine Cologne mist. Soft, enveloping scent. 

Khadine Dusting Powder. Scented gossamer for after bath with empress size puff. 

Khadine Perfume Oil for bath and body! A few drops in the tub for dreamy languor. Use at pulse points for beautifully insistent fragrance. 

Khadine Perfumed Soap. Personal sized for a fabulous froth of exotic, rich fragrance. Three cakes in their own Persian Rose chest."

A 1973 ad reads:

“Khadine Perfumed Cologne by Yardley. Sensuous Eastern style scent.”

Another 1973 ad reads:

“The East has many sensuous secrets and Yardley has captured most of them in Khadine! All the enchantment of the Arabian Nights is translated into a fragrance that’s just right for Western Women. Just right for you! 

Khadine perfume is a subtly provocative, ever so slightly sensuous lingering fragrance. Perfumed Cologne to use lavishly. Wrap yourself in its enchanting fragrance. 

Perfume Cologne Mist for head to toe use- every day.  

Perfumed Soap creates a luxurious lather as it cleans and perfumes your skin. 

Perfumed Talc for an after bath treat. A drift of skin softening fine powder all over. 

Perfumed Foam Bath lets you enjoy this exotic fragrance as you relax in your bath. Soothes and smooths your skin."

From a 1968 article in the Schenectady Gazette:

“For years, American women have lived under the rule of reason. Every influence in their lives denied feeling. Art, music, fashion were alike-cold, clever and unromantic. Yardley was the first to introduce a totally new fragrance wardrobe that bespeaks the new mood. The scent of Khadine, for womanly women and men who adore them. 

Jacqui Brandywine, Yardley’s vice president-creative department, searched the past for the most romantic age in history. It had to be in the courts of the Pahlavi Kings. The opulent marble latticework harems and perfumed fountains of the Persian Khans inspired Scheherazade to tell stories for 1001 nights, and brought Khadine to light. 

Then, a woman had only one aim, to please her man, and to this end she bent all her intelligence and all her charm. The most cherished woman was called the Khadine, “the favorite of the Khan”…and though the ruler might have many other women, she was the only one who mattered .

Her principle weapon against her rivals was her femininity- there were often others more beautiful. And she used fragrance with devastating skill. Court perfumers made perfumed amulets for her, which she hung among her garments, and pinned to her hair. They made fragrant pomanders, and held them in cunning enameled boxes, which stood innocently around her apartment. They gave her fragrant oils to rub on after her hour-long bath, and special powders to cling to her body. 

Yardley discovered everything they could about this woman, and incorporated her secrets in a scent that unfolds its fragrance layer after layer, as it mingles with the warmth of her skin.”

Fate of the Fragrance:

It was discontinued around 1979.

RSS Feed Widget