Parfums Djemil - Parfums d'Orient

Société Française des Produits et Parfums Djemil was established on March 13, 1922, in Paris, located at 39 rue Pigalle, with an initial capital of 625,000 francs. According to Perfume Intelligence, Parfums Djemil's origins trace back to Egypt, where it originally operated as a perfumery. Their earliest known fragrance, Jasmin d'Egypte, dates to around 1910, suggesting the house's long-standing connection to Egyptian-inspired scents and culture.

Beyond perfumes, Djemil expanded its product line to include cosmetics. Among their offerings was Poudre de riz Djemil, a finely milled rice powder used as a facial cosmetic. They also sold Le Djemil Véritable Kohl d'Orient, an authentic oriental kohl powder designed for eye lining, which reflects the brand's embrace of traditional beauty practices from the East. Djemil's product range exemplifies the blending of French perfumery expertise with exotic, Middle Eastern influences, a hallmark of early 20th-century cosmetics and fragrance brands that sought to evoke an air of the exotic.

The perfumes of Djemil:

• 1910 Jasmin d'Egypt
• 1919 Le Secret de Djemil
• 1919 Soupir d'Orient
• 1919 Djemil Fleurs
• 1919 Folle Orgie
• 1922 Origan
• 1922 Ambre
• 1922 Chypre
• 1922 Le Jasmin
• 1922 La Rose
• 1922 L'Oeillet
• 1922 L'Heliotrope
• 1922 Le Lilas
• 1922 Le Cyclamen
• 1922 Le Muguet
• 1922 La Violette

Parfums Djemil released a series of fragrances that encapsulated the allure of the Orient, Parisian sophistication, and classic floral notes. Each perfume’s name evokes an olfactory experience deeply connected to its time and cultural inspiration. Here’s a breakdown of each scent:

• 1910 Jasmin d'Égypte (Jasmine of Egypt): As one of the earliest releases, this fragrance likely emphasized the sensual, warm, and exotic qualities of jasmine, which was often associated with Egypt. The scent would have been heady and floral, with an intoxicating richness that evokes warm desert nights.

• 1919 Le Secret de Djemil (The Secret of Djemil): This mysterious name suggests a complex blend of oriental notes. It might have incorporated incense, amber, and spice, offering a warm, luxurious fragrance reminiscent of an ancient Egyptian secret—a veil of mystery and allure.

• 1919 Soupir d'Orient (Sigh of the Orient): This fragrance was likely infused with the exoticism of the East, possibly containing spices, sandalwood, and rich resins. The "sigh" implies a soft, romantic fragrance, perhaps gentle florals mixed with the warmth of oriental woods.

• 1919 Djemil Fleurs (Djemil Flowers): A likely floral bouquet that celebrated the light, delicate nature of spring and garden flowers. This fragrance could have featured popular blooms such as roses, lilies, or perhaps mimosa—an homage to the natural beauty of flowers.

• 1919 Folle Orgie (Wild Orgy): The boldness of this name suggests an intense, almost overwhelming scent. It might have been a daring blend of spices, rich florals, and animalic notes. "Orgy" hints at excess and intensity, likely making this a fragrance for the adventurous.

• 1922 Origan (Oregano): While oregano is now more commonly associated with culinary use, it has a unique and aromatic herbal scent. This perfume may have blended spicy, earthy notes with fresh, green facets, resulting in a fragrance that was both grounding and stimulating.

• 1922 Ambre (Amber): A classic note in perfumery, this amber fragrance would have been warm, resinous, and enveloping, with a sweet, balsamic undertone. Amber often evokes a sense of timeless warmth and sensuality.

• 1922 Chypre (Chypre): A traditional perfume classification, Chypre blends citrus, oakmoss, and patchouli. This scent would have been sophisticated and elegant, balancing earthy moss with sharp citrus for a timeless, refined fragrance.

• 1922 Le Jasmin (The Jasmine): A likely more straightforward interpretation of jasmine compared to Jasmin d’Égypte. This fragrance would have been lush and intensely floral, embodying the full essence of fresh jasmine blooms.

• 1922 La Rose (The Rose): A classic rose perfume that likely captured the essence of fresh-cut roses. It may have ranged from powdery to dewy, celebrating the timeless beauty and romance of this beloved flower.

• 1922 L'Oeillet (The Carnation): Carnation has a spicy, clove-like scent. This fragrance would have been floral but with a sharp, spicy twist, offering an aromatic profile with a bit more bite than softer flowers like jasmine or rose.

• 1922 L'Héliotrope (The Heliotrope): Known for its sweet, powdery, almond-vanilla scent, heliotrope would have given this fragrance a soft, warm, and slightly gourmand quality, making it comforting and enveloping.

• 1922 Le Lilas (The Lilac): Lilac has a rich, sweet floral scent, and this perfume would have evoked the lush beauty of springtime blooms. Light and fresh, lilac often gives a feeling of renewal and delicacy.

• 1922 Le Cyclamen (The Cyclamen): This flower has a light, sweet scent with subtle earthiness. The fragrance likely had a soft floral character, delicate and slightly green, evoking an innocent charm.

• 1922 Le Muguet (The Lily of the Valley): Lily of the valley is known for its fresh, delicate, and sweet floral scent. This fragrance would have been crisp and airy, reminiscent of springtime meadows and gentle breezes.

• 1922 La Violette (The Violet): Violet has a sweet, powdery scent with soft green undertones. This fragrance likely combined the nostalgic, old-world charm of violet with a subtle earthiness, creating a demure and elegant fragrance.

Each perfume reflects a certain trend of its time, mixing exotic, oriental inspirations with the classic floral arrangements that were popular in early 20th-century French perfumery. The use of natural ingredients like jasmine, rose, and violet suggests that Parfums Djemil sought to create perfumes that were both evocative and luxurious, appealing to the romanticized view of the Orient while also celebrating the timeless beauty of floral compositions.