Guess Parfum by Georges Marciano c1990

Guess Parfum by Georges Marciano: launched in 1990 in association with Revlon. This fragrance is known as Original Guess to distinguish it from the later versions which have nothing to do with the original perfume. The original prices ranged from $28-$65.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral chypre fragrance for women. A combination of floral, woodsy and citrus notes, including mandarin and oakmoss. Fresh, subtle, and simple. Clean aroma. Soft yet bright. Good for daytime. 

• Top notes: grapefruit, blackcurrant bud, mandarin orange, lemon
• Heart notes: cinnamon, spices, jasmine, orange blossom, lily of the valley, hyacinth
• Base notes: oakmoss, sandalwood, patchouli, civet, oakmoss, vanilla, amber, orris root

In 1991, Glamour magazine held a special contest, inviting customers to come to the Guess Parfum counter and guess what the top note of the perfume was.

Lear's - Volume 3, Issues 7-12, 1990:

"The sweet smell of success: New signature scents include Escada, Scaasi, Vicky Tiel, Guess Parfum by Georges Marciano, Christian Lacroix, and Romeo Gigli."

Sassy, 1991:

"GUESS PARFUM - Real perfume (not cologne) from the people who make your favorite clothes. A fragrance of pure "scent-uality," this new fragrance that captures Guess. Experience it now, this rare scent from Georges Marciano. And it's only $12.50 for an 1/8 oz bottle."

Glamour, 1991:

"GUESS Parfum. A fragrance of pure, raw sensuality. The new fragrance that captures the Guess woman. Experience it now, this rare and ravishing scent from Georges Marciano. A special 1/8 oz. Parfum, a $25 value, is yours for just $12.50"

Campaign, 1992:

"Revlon is unveiling its designer fragrance, Guess Parfum, in the UK next month, the first perfume launch to be backed by 96-sheet posters. 

Guess Parfum is the latest product from US-based designer, Georges Marciano, whose Guess range also includes fashion and leisure-wear. Already available in North American markets, Guess Parfum will be in UK stores from 17 April, with launches in other European markets planned for later in the year. 

The novel media strategy, mixing more conventional colour-press work with cross-track posters, has been devised by the Media Business, which handles Revlon's planning and buying. Creative work is devised in-house in the US, and will feature the "supermodel" Claudia Schiffer, who also endorsed Guess's heavily-advertised clothes ranges. 

The press campaign breaks this month with a colour page in Elle, and continues next month with further single pages in a range of magazines and runs of five consecutive right-hand pages in Company and Options. The poster campaign breaks in May. 

Sue Unerman, the strategic planner on the account, said: "In-depth qualitative groups gave us the insight to develop this strategy: 96-sheet posters on the Underground proved extremely attractive to the core potential user -- young, chic, working women. The posters give the campaign impact, backed up by the right press titles for the environment they provide."

 Adweek's Marketing Week - Volume 33, 1992:

"Last year it launched the Georges Marciano Boutique Collection to compete with such fashion brands as DKNY, A-line and Vertigo. Two years ago Revlon Inc. of New York licensed the Guess name and came out with a perfume. Guess for Men was released last year."

Company Profiles for Students: A-L - Page 615, 1998:

"The Marciano brothers resumed ownership of Guess, and in 1998 they controlled about 80 percent of the company's shares. In 1990, the company decided to license its name to other manufacturers, such as Revlon, which marketed perfume..."

Bottles:

The original classic formula parfum was housed in a beautiful crystal bottle in the shape of a triangle. The bottle is fitted with a heavy, frosted glass stopper. A gold cord is wrapped around the neck of the with a cute little triangular tag reading Guess.

The presentation box is also triangular and is covered with matte black paper printed with the Guess name in glossy print. The interior is lined with red flocking for a velvet type look. The outer box is a white sleeve that slides over the black box. Also a plain, cardboard shipping outer box would have kept the box clean and undamaged during transit.

The parfum was also contained in a matte finished black bottle with a matte black plastic cap. The bottle holds 0.25 oz of the pure parfum in a spray. This is the rarest bottle design, usually you see the clear glass twist bottle or the other all black bottle that one is newer and the bottle is glossy black glass with a black plastic cap.

Other bottles are clear glass, twist shaped with black plastic caps, including a 0.12 oz pure parfum splash bottle as shown below.

Available in:

• 0.25 oz Parfum Splash in clear glass bottle with metal triangle charm and triangle box
• 0.25 oz Parfum Spray in opaque black glass twist bottle
• 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette in clear glass with black cap twist bottle
• 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette in clear glass with black cap twist bottle
• 6 oz Sensual Moisturizer (body lotion)
• "Body Gems" brush-on powder in triangle box

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown.

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