Le Secret de Suzanne by Les Parfums Suzanne (Perichon) was first launched in 1924 in France, it wasn't until around 1933 that it made its way into the USA. The perfume's name is based on an opera of the same name, Il Segreto di Susanna by Ermanno Wold-Ferrari in 1909.
Opera Stories ... in Few Words: The Stories, 1911:
"Le Secret de Suzanne (In One Act) - Count Gil and his wife, Suzanne, live ideally happy together. But as sudden cloud darkens their sunshine. Gil fancies Suzanne as a secret. He tries in vain to persuade her to tell him all. She longs to confess, but cannot summon courage. His suspicion grows. How can he account for the scent of tobacco in his drawing room, save on the supposition that Suzanne receives clandestinely a lover! His jealousy increases with each penetrating fumes. And then comes the explanation. He climbs to the window and sees Suzanne, who thinks herself alone, indulging in her one weakness, an occasional cigarette! He is reconciled. The old family butler (who is dumb), who has heretofore been able to smoke only sub rosa, now lights the "obnoxious weed", giving it the freedom of the house, as the curtain falls."
"Le Secret de Suzanne (In One Act) - Count Gil and his wife, Suzanne, live ideally happy together. But as sudden cloud darkens their sunshine. Gil fancies Suzanne as a secret. He tries in vain to persuade her to tell him all. She longs to confess, but cannot summon courage. His suspicion grows. How can he account for the scent of tobacco in his drawing room, save on the supposition that Suzanne receives clandestinely a lover! His jealousy increases with each penetrating fumes. And then comes the explanation. He climbs to the window and sees Suzanne, who thinks herself alone, indulging in her one weakness, an occasional cigarette! He is reconciled. The old family butler (who is dumb), who has heretofore been able to smoke only sub rosa, now lights the "obnoxious weed", giving it the freedom of the house, as the curtain falls."
Fragrance Composition:
I have a vintage perfume nip of Le Secret de Suzanne, probably from the 1940s. Although there are no published notes to be found. The perfume can be described as warm, floral and ends up being very sweet and heavy on the sandalwood. It actually still smells incredible and would still be worn today by those who love classic, long forgotten perfumes.
1935:
- Top notes: aldehydes, bergamot, geranium, galbanum
- Middle notes: rose, orange blossom, violet, lily of the valley, jasmine, ylang ylang
- Base notes: vetiver, oakmoss, amber, patchouli, benzoin, sandalwood, tonka bean, labdanum
Bottles:
Parfum, photo by Rago Arts
1935:
“New Perfume Importation SECRET DE SUZANNE By Suzanne of Paris. The most popular perfume of the moment with several members of the English Royal Family.”
Parfum, photo by ruby lane seller dorothy's bling
1937:
“We Proudly introduce to discriminating women Suzanne’s Exquisite Perfume -”Secret of Suzanne”, sold exclusively by Washburnse’s and America’s most exclusive shops. This one superb perfume has brought fame to its creator, Suzanne. A fragrance too elusive to define, and as endlessly intriguing as Paris itself! In its gay Continental package, this perfume makes its debut at Washburne’s, $2.50, $4.50, $6.50 and up.”
Parfum, photo by Perfume Bottles Auction
1937:
“Secret of Suzanne a delightful odor exclusively at The Crescent comes in fancy bottles for Easter.”
1939:
” it’s the most talked about perfume in years...a gay, haunting fragrance that you’ll adore instantly. “
1939:
"SUZANNE Eau de Cologne by Suzanne is a companion to the exquisite Secret of Suzanne perfume. Madame Suzanne has captured in this Cologne the authentic fragrance of her provocative and captivating perfume."
Eau de Cologne, photo by ebay seller tumtum99
1944:
” Two sizes of this long-lasting, romantic fragrance have made their appearance! “Secret of Suzanne” is a “Perfume with an indescribable scent! Not distracting nor blatant this essence is persuasively alluring.”
Bath Essence, photo by ebay seller
1945:
“Delightful, enchanting, sophisticated! For those who know the art of wearing perfume.”
Discontinued, date unknown. Still sold in 1953.
Fate of the Fragrance:
Discontinued, date unknown. Still sold in 1953.
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