Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Tigress by Faberge c1938

In 1938, Faberge released Tigress to the women of France, it was a huge success, so in 1940, the perfume was launched in the Unites States. Finally, American women were able to find out exactly what had those Parisiennes purring.


Tigress was launched in New York City at a fancy cocktail party thrown in a Madison Avenue business penthouse. A couple hundred newspaper and department store execs were invited to the exclusive shindig. At the door was a hat check girl, a real African chief complete with a drum who worked for Frank Buck at the Fair, and a tiny Senegambian in tiger skin who squirted guests and the surrounding premises with an atomizer filled with the Tigress perfume. The theme was carried out by Zombie Cocktails and Tarzan canapes, and on the wall hung a Lester Gaba impression of a Rousseau painting. The original featured a black panther in the center. For this occasion, Gaba repainted the panther as a tigress. 

Fragrance Composition:


So what does it smell like? It is classified as an oriental fragrance for women.
  • Top notes: aldehydes, bergamot, citrus notes
  • Middle notes: cinnamon, cloves, geranium, lavender, Bulgarian rose, carnation, ylang ylang, jasmine absolute
  • Base notes: cedarwood, benzoin, incense, rosewood, civet, Mysore sandalwood, ambergris, vanilla, patchouli, musk, oak moss, vetiver

I was able to buy a mini bottle of the parfum recently and I am sampling it now. I have applied a few drops to my wrist and am slowly taking in the heavenly fragrance that is Tigress. Now I understand why thousands of women are flocking to ebay to find this discontinued fragrance. It is truly a sexy perfume, not for the faint of heart.

Tigress is a blend of sparkling aldehydes trapping bergamot and citrus notes in their wake, followed by spicy cinnamon and cloves resting atop the pungency of geraniums and lavender with the heady blossoms of roses, carnations, ylang ylang and jasmine absolute, all layered on a woodsy base of cedarwood, bois de rose and sandalwood, married to a sensuous blend of powdery amber, patchouli, vetiver, animalic musk, oakmoss and soft vanilla.

Tigress, like other Faberge scents, was available in various forms: Parfum, Cologne, Toilet Water, Dusting powder, Talcum powder, Bath oil, Sachet, Soap.


Fate of the Fragrance:


By 1985 Tigress disappeared, in 1986, Pavion reintroduced it, but it was discontinued again shortly afterwards. Millions of adoring fans have lamented it's passing, some have tried to recreate the scent, but with futility.

The Vermont Country Store sells a "version" of it, though they claim it is the original formula. Be warned, this is not the original formula that you remember. It seems to be a watered down version that pales in comparison to that golden hued scent of yesterday.

Cher's Uninhibited reminds me of Tigress. It's a shame both fragrances are long gone.

I suggest buying your Tigress on etsy, ebay or look for it at flea markets, auctions, estate sales, craigslist and other venues.

In 1979, Faberge released a flanker scent called Tigress Musk, this beautiful perfume was heavy on the musk and had additional notes of warm vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, sandalwood and powdery amber, very light notes of bergamot remain as in the original.

CLICK HERE TO FIND TIGRESS BY FABERGE


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