Suzanne Talbot & Les Parfum Suzanne Perichon

J. Suzanne Talbot, a distinguished French milliner, established her shop at the prestigious address of 14 rue Royale in Paris. Renowned for her couture creations during the late Victorian era, Talbot’s designs, including her elegant clothing and hats, captured the essence of Parisian fashion. Her boutique became a destination for those seeking sophisticated and refined styles, epitomizing the haute couture of the time.

As fashion evolved, so did Talbot's brand. Like many designers of her era, she ventured into the world of perfumery, introducing her first fragrances around 1924. Embracing the personal touch that defined her fashion line, Talbot named her initial trio of perfumes "J," "S," and "T," each representing a letter from her own name. This clever branding strategy not only reflected her identity but also underscored the intimate connection between her fashion and fragrance offerings.

By 1932, the business was operating under the name Société Claire Palisseau et Juliette Levy, still trading as J. Suzanne Talbot. This transition marked a new chapter in the brand’s history, though it continued to honor Talbot's legacy of elegance and style.

Notably, Talbot’s influence extended beyond her own creations. Two of the most famous milliners of the 20th century, Lilly Daché and Jeanne Lanvin, began their careers as seamstresses in Talbot’s atelier during the late 1890s and early 1900s. Their time with Talbot undoubtedly shaped their future success, as they absorbed the refined techniques and creative vision that characterized Talbot’s work.

The perfumes of J. Suzanne Talbot:

• 1925 J
• 1925 S
• 1925 T

Fairchild's, 1928:

"Another couturier, J. Suzanne Talbot, launches her own perfumes and powders. She offers three new scents - S, J and T - in gold and silver boxes. Jasmine, magnolia and gardenia are the bases used."

In 1928, the renowned couturier J. Suzanne Talbot expanded her creative influence into the world of fragrance, introducing a collection of perfumes and powders that reflected the elegance of her fashion designs. These new scents, named "S," "J," and "T," were presented in luxurious gold and silver boxes, underscoring the sophistication and exclusivity of Talbot's offerings.

Each fragrance was crafted with a distinct floral base, drawing inspiration from some of the most cherished and timeless flowers. "S," likely centered around jasmine, would have embodied the rich, intoxicating aroma of blooming jasmine flowers, a scent known for its sweet, heady, and slightly exotic qualities. Jasmine is often associated with elegance and sensuality, making it a fitting choice for a couturier of Talbot's stature.

"J" may have highlighted the opulent and creamy scent of magnolia. Magnolia’s fragrance is fresh yet deeply floral, with a hint of citrus and a soft, velvety undertone. This scent would have conveyed a sense of refined beauty, capturing the essence of a graceful, classic femininity.

Finally, "T" could have featured the lush and powerful aroma of gardenia, a flower prized for its rich, creamy fragrance with sweet, tropical notes. Gardenia is often associated with romance and luxury, offering a bold and enchanting scent profile that would have appealed to those seeking a more intense floral experience.

Together, these three perfumes would have offered a range of olfactory experiences, each reflecting the sophisticated and feminine style that J. Suzanne Talbot was known for. The luxurious packaging further emphasized the exclusivity and allure of these fragrances, making them a coveted addition to any woman's vanity.

J. Suzanne Talbot perfumes J, S, and T. in graduated sizes c1925.

The perfume bottles introduced by J. Suzanne Talbot in 1928 were strikingly reminiscent of those used by Coco Chanel during the same era. This similarity in design reflected a shared commitment to timeless elegance and understated luxury that defined the period's most coveted fragrances.

Much like Chanel’s iconic bottles, Talbot's designs featured clean, geometric lines with a minimalist aesthetic, exuding sophistication and modernity. The simplicity of the bottles allowed the focus to remain on the quality of the scent within, a testament to the refined taste and discerning clientele that both Talbot and Chanel catered to.

The choice of luxurious materials, such as gold and silver for the packaging, further aligned Talbot's perfumes with the high-end appeal of Chanel's offerings. These bottles were not just containers; they were symbols of style and status, designed to be displayed proudly on a dressing table. Their resemblance to Chanel’s designs suggests a shared vision of what modern luxury should look like—elegant, chic, and enduring. This parallel in design language underscored the competitive and innovative spirit of the time, where leading couturiers sought to extend their influence beyond fashion and into the world of fine fragrances.

Bonney, Therese. 1925. Therese Bonney photographs, 1925-1937.

Supplied Caption: France, ca. 1925. Perfume and powder in "S" scent by J. Suzanne Talbot. Marie Laurencin (1885-1956) artwork on wall. Boxes in gold and silver. Colorized by me.

Les Parfums Suzanne, founded by Suzanne Perichon around 1920, was a distinct fragrance house located at 5, Rue du 29 Juillet in Paris, France. While the name "Suzanne" might evoke associations with the more famous Suzanne Talbot brand, it is essential to clarify that Les Parfums Suzanne operated independently and should not be confused with Talbot’s line of perfumes.

Suzanne Perichon’s venture into the world of perfumery was marked by a unique approach that set her brand apart in the bustling Parisian market of the early 20th century. Operating from a prestigious address in Paris, Les Parfums Suzanne catered to a discerning clientele, offering fragrances that reflected Perichon’s vision and creativity.

The brand likely drew inspiration from the rich cultural and artistic milieu of Paris, infusing its perfumes with the elegance and sophistication that characterized the era. While details of the specific scents and their compositions remain less documented, the establishment of Les Parfums Suzanne during this time underscores the burgeoning interest in personalized and exclusive fragrances among Parisian society.

This clarification highlights the importance of distinguishing between the similarly named brands, each contributing uniquely to the vibrant perfume landscape of early 20th-century Paris.

The perfumes of Suzanne:

• 1924 Le Secret de Suzanne (an oriental perfume)
• 1938 Tout de Suite (a dry, spicy floral perfume)
• 1940 Fragrance of Lightning
• 1940 Chaste 
• 1946 Permettez Moi
• 1947 Bright Christmas
• 1952 Beau Catcher (sold under the Vigny name as well) (a spicy bouquet perfume)
• Tempestuous Perfume

The New Yorker, 1938:

"Suzanne: Secret of Suzanne, a dry sachet scent which has been treasured for years, in a new gold-and-tortoise-shell-colored column package."

Secret de Suzanne is the best known fragrance from Les Parfums Suzanne.