Fracas by Robert Piguet c1945

Fracas by Robert Piguet: launched in 1945, in USA by 1948. Created by Germaine Cellier.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as an intense white floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes: C18 aldehyde, bergamot, mandarin, peach, green leaves, hyacinth, Tunisian orange blossom absolute and lilac
• Middle notes: coriander, rose, jonquil, Indian tuberose absolute, carnation, French jasmine absolute, white narcissus, gardenia, lily of the valley, white iris, rose geranium, osmanthus and violet root
• Base notes: sandalwood, Tolu balsam, amber, civet, cedar, Italian orris butter, vetiver, oakmoss and musk

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown.


The Robert Piguet fragrances were owned by Alfin (Irwin Alfin/Adrien Arpel, Inc.) from 1982-1997. In 1985, the company formed a subdivision, Orinter Geneva Switzerland, to handle the Parfums Robert Piguet. The Company owned the exclusive worldwide manufacturing, distribution and licensing rights for Fracas, Bandit, Cravache, and Musk Blanc. The company also initiated mass marketing of other popular Robert Piguet fragrances.

It was at this time that they reformulated and relaunched these fragrances, and unfortunately, these versions are the worst according to online reviews.  The Fracas fragrance product line consisted of parfum, eau de toilette, bath oil and body lotion. These early bottles are clear glass with black serigraphy of a weird font in capital letters, and topped with both octagonal and non-octagonal black caps. The boxes are black with accents of pale pink. You may find the mini bottles of parfum, they are small clear glass cubes with square black caps.

The later fragrances were housed in the opaque black glass bottles, topped with both octagonal and non-octagonal black caps. These items were presented in the black boxes, emblazoned with the familiar Fracas lowercase lettered logo in the pink square.

The company also released the noxious stench known as Fracas for Men, a complete flop, which according to many people, has no relation to Fracas, and is not even in the same league as other Robert Piguet fragrances.

Then the Robert Piguet brand was acquired by Fashion Fragrances and Cosmetics, Ltd. (FF&C) who reformulated Fracas to closely resemble the original version and relaunched it in 1997. Press materials describe it as "A floral consisting of mainly white flowers: jasmine, tuberose, lily of the valley, white iris with a touch of pink geranium. Outstanding note is tuberose."

This is the current version seen on the Robert Piguet Parfums website. This version is found in the opaque black glass bottles with the octagonal and non-octagonal black caps (with gold bands) and clear cut crystal stoppers. These items were presented in the black boxes, emblazoned with the familiar Fracas logo in the pink square.

Fracas was reformulated again in 2006 to exclude the oakmoss per IFRA regulations.

Fracas is available in the following forms:

• 4ml Parfum Spray
• 7.5ml Parfum
• 15ml Parfum
• 30ml Parfum
• 60ml Parfum
• 10ml Eau de Parfum Roll On
• 30ml Eau de Parfum Spray
• 50ml Eau de Parfum Spray
• 100ml Eau de Parfum Spray
• Solid Perfume
• 250ml Silkening Body Wash
• 250ml Silkening Shower Creme 
• 250ml Silkening Body Lotion
• 200ml Silkening Body Crème
• 150ml Silkening Body Powder
• 2.5 oz Perfumed Candle
• 2 Pc Gift Set - 3.4 oz EDP Spray + 6.5 oz Body Lotion
• 3 Pc Gift Set 3.4oz EDP Spray, 6.5oz Silkening Body Lotion with Book
• Little Pink Box 2 Piece Set Includes: 1.0 oz EDP Spray + 0.25 oz EDP Roller Ball

From 2008- The Fracas de Robert Piguet 60th anniversary limited edition, retailed at $525. Only 500 numbered pieces will be sold, complete with a certificate of authenticity marked with the anniversary seal. The signature black glass bottle is topped with a cut crystal stopper, and presented in the top drawer of a black lacquer box. The bottom drawer holds a refillable purse bottle and two refill bottles with 7.5 ml parfum.  It was available exclusively at Ogilvy.

2012 Limited edition of ‘Fracas’, in collaboration with French actress, Isabelle Huppert, who was approached by the company after she publicly stated she liked the perfume. The Pierre Dinand bottle was created to coincide with the 160th anniversary of the Parisian high end Le Bon Marché store. The 100ml Eau de Parfum bottles are etched with the actress' initials "IH" on the back. The bottles are individually numbered and limited to only 80 copies.

This Limited Edition Fracas de Robert Piguet Parfum with Swarovski Elements Crystals. Opulence and splendor spotlight this special edition. The flacons are elegantly embellished with delicate Swarovski crystals along each facet of the bottle as well as topped with a crystallized stopper. The large 1 litre bottle retailed for $13,500 in 2013.

This Limited Edition Fracas de Robert Piguet Parfum with Swarovski Elements Crystals. Opulence and splendor spotlight this special edition. The flacons are elegantly embellished with delicate Swarovski crystals along each facet of the bottle as well as topped with a crystallised stopper. The parfum flacon is elegantly presented in a sleek black piano box to complete the lavish presentation. The 60ml eau de parfum retailed for $1100.00 in 2013.