Monday, February 2, 2015

Grain de Sable by Nicky Verfaillie c1977

Grain de Sable by Parfums Nicky Verfaillie (Monique "Nicky" Verfaillie): launched in 1977. Created by  Henri Sorsana. Distributed by Anjac Inc of 713 Grandview Ave, San Francisco, CA.





In 1984, Rosemarie Stack, wife of late actor Robert Stack, purchased the distribution rights of Grain de Sable from Nicky Verfaillie. Under their distribution company, Rosemary Stack, Ltd, two more fragrances as part of the Les Grains line were launched including Grain de Folie and Grain de Passion. 

Why did she pick this adventure? Stack explains, "A friend who lives in Paris was wearing the most beautiful fragrance. I, of course asked what are you wearing. It was Grain de Sable. My friend happened to do public relations for Nicky Verfaillie, the Paris company that makes the perfume. So she started sending it to me because it was unavailable in this country. You might say that it all began with the love of a fragrance and evolved into a distributorship. It's a very successful fragrance in Europe...This is pretty much my baby."

The American launch of the fragrance was held at Scarlatti restaurant at the Sheraton Grande Hotel , 333 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles. Scarlatti featured a menu that focused on Mediterranean cuisine .The guests included Lucie Arnaz and Larry Luckinbill, Jacqueline de Ribes, Arlene Dahl and Marc Rosen, Polly Bergen and Jeff Endervelt.  

The appeal of the fragrances were just as hot in America as it was on the European continent. One such examples was a demand of $1,100 worth of Grain de Folie which was purchased by a Saudi Arabian princess. The order was received at at 4:30pm the day before the introduction of the perfumes at the department store. The princess bought the entire store stock because she wanted every one of her ladies in waiting to wear the same fragrance she wore. Mrs. Stack hand carried the fragrance on a plane to San Francisco the following morning.


Fragrance Composition:


So what does it smell like? It is classified as a fresh floral green floral fragrance for women. It starts with a very fresh, cool watery and transparent top, followed by a fruity floral heart of sweet melon alongside papaya, jasmine and rose, resting on a mossy, green floral base. Delicately romantic, petal-soft; composed of rose, iris, ylang ylang and vetiver.
  • Top notes: sweet melon accord, calone, citrus oils, basil, peach, melon
  • Middle notes: ylang ylang, iris, hyacinth, papaya, jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, lily, carnation
  • Base notes: vetiver, oakmoss, patchouli, musk, sandalwood

A verbatim translation of "Grain de Sable" is "grain of sand."


Fate of the Fragrance:



Discontinued, date unknown. he original distributors for the fragrance were the now defunct company Anjac, Inc.

Flankers:

  • Grain de Folie 1981 Oriental Discontinued, date unknown.
  • Grain de Passion 1985 Chypre Discontinued, date unknown.
  • Grain d'Amour?

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