Ecco by Princess Marcella Borghese was launched in 1960, a time when elegance, sophistication, and timeless femininity were at the heart of fashion and beauty. Advertised as a fragrance "for the eternal woman," Ecco was a reflection of grace, confidence, and effortless allure—qualities deeply associated with the Borghese name. Princess Marcella Borghese, a member of the prestigious Italian noble family, was known for her refined taste and passion for beauty. She built a cosmetics empire that fused Italian luxury with modern innovation, and her fragrances captured the essence of classic femininity while remaining contemporary and relevant to the era.
The name Ecco is Italian, pronounced "EH-koh", meaning "Here it is" or "Behold"—a declaration of presence, a moment of revelation. It evokes images of grandeur, poise, and arrival, as if announcing an elegant woman stepping into a room, instantly captivating those around her. The word suggests a flourish, an exclamation of beauty and confidence, making it a fitting choice for a fragrance designed for the woman who leaves a lasting impression.
The year 1960 marked the beginning of a transformative decade, bridging the glamorous sophistication of the 1950s with the youthful rebellion of the mid-to-late 1960s. This was a period known as the Jet Age, where global travel and cultural exchange were reshaping fashion and beauty. Women were still drawn to the polished refinement of the past, with tailored silhouettes, pearls, and coiffed hairstyles, but there was also an increasing shift towards freedom, lightness, and a fresh modernity. Perfumery reflected this transition—while the heady, opulent florals of the 1950s still dominated, new trends introduced lighter, airy compositions with aldehydic brightness and green, naturalistic notes, mirroring the growing appreciation for fresh, effortless beauty.
Ecco perfectly captured this evolution. Its classic heart of jasmine and rose was a nod to traditional femininity, while the addition of light, vibrant spring flowers, herbs, and soapy aldehydes gave it a contemporary freshness. The scent was warm, luminous, and long-lasting, evoking the sun-drenched gardens of an Italian villa, filled with blooming flowers and kissed by the Mediterranean breeze. There was a cleanness and radiance to Ecco that made it feel both luxurious and wearable in everyday life, perfect for the modern woman who desired both grace and ease.
Women of the 1960s would have embraced Ecco as a fragrance of refinement and quiet confidence, a scent that was both familiar yet fresh, timeless yet modern. It would have appealed to those who admired the classic floral perfumes of the past but sought something lighter, more radiant, and effortlessly chic. In the context of other fragrances of the time, Ecco aligned with the growing trend of aldehydic florals, which added a sense of brilliance and sophistication, much like Chanel No. 5 or Arpège. However, its emphasis on fresh, herbal, and dewy floral notes distinguished it, making it feel less powdered and more invigorating, like a spring morning in full bloom.
Ecco was a perfume that embodied the transition from the poised elegance of the 1950s to the evolving spirit of modern femininity. It was for the woman who was both timeless and forward-thinking, poised yet dynamic—an eternal presence in any room she entered.
In 1960, Ecco by Princess Marcella Borghese made its debut with an air of sophisticated opulence. Playbill, a respected cultural authority, described it as “impressively original”, suggesting that this fragrance was not just another addition to the market but rather a statement of refined luxury. The perfume was noted for being both worldly and sophisticated, embodying the glamour of European elegance while maintaining a level of subtlety that made it all the more intriguing. The publication hinted at its understated seductiveness, an alluring quality that, while not overt, was still deeply compelling—a perfume for the woman who knew her own power and did not need to announce it.
By 1967, Ecco had already secured its place as a beloved classic, and its packaging was given a striking new identity inspired by Carrara marble. Harper’s Bazaar, a publication synonymous with high fashion and luxury, highlighted the choice of lightly veined, marbleized packaging as a natural extension of the perfume’s Roman heritage. Carrara marble, renowned for its association with Italian artistry, sculptural beauty, and timeless elegance, served as a fitting metaphor for a fragrance that embodied the same enduring grace. This design choice further solidified Ecco’s position as a perfume of cultured refinement, appealing to women who appreciated both history and modernity in their beauty rituals.
Inside the beautifully designed packaging were graceful, clean-cut bottles that held two of Princess Marcella Borghese’s most treasured fragrances: Ecco and Fiamma. Ecco was described as a perfume “for the eternal woman”, reinforcing its status as a scent for those with a timeless, effortless elegance. With its herbal nuances interwoven with jasmine and rose, the fragrance exuded a natural yet polished femininity—a woman’s perfume, neither fleeting nor naïve, but deeply rooted in classic beauty.
Meanwhile, Fiamma was characterized by “fiery brilliance”, a more intense and dramatic offering for those drawn to a bolder, more enigmatic olfactory signature. While Ecco represented eternal elegance, Fiamma captured passion and intensity, offering contrasting yet complementary expressions of femininity.
Both scents were available in Princess Marcella Borghese Perfume Oil, offering an intimate, skin-adhering experience for $6.75 per ounce, and in Acqua di Profumo, a lighter, more ethereal version for $6.50 per 2-ounce bottle. These exquisite perfumes were stocked at Bonwit Teller, a prestigious department store known for catering to the most discerning clientele, further cementing Ecco’s place among the most refined and sophisticated fragrances of its time.
Through both its advertising and presentation, Ecco positioned itself as a fragrance of cultured sophistication, perfect for the woman who effortlessly commands attention without demanding it, a woman who is eternal in her beauty, elegance, and allure.
Ecco by Princess Marcella Borghese is a fragrance that unfolds like a stroll through a sun-drenched European garden, each note blooming with a distinct presence, yet harmonizing into a refined and timeless composition. From the very first breath, the Bulgarian rose asserts itself with a lush, velvety aroma—deeply floral, slightly honeyed, and touched with the dewiness of dawn. This variety, grown in the famed Valley of Roses, is known for its opulent intensity, its scent richer and more layered than roses cultivated elsewhere. It is accompanied by a rush of Provencal herbs, their green sharpness lending a crisp, aromatic contrast—perhaps hints of rosemary, thyme, or sage, their earthy coolness grounding the sweetness of the floral heart.
Aldehydes emerge next, bright and effervescent, infusing the perfume with a soapy, airy radiance—as if linen, just washed and sun-dried, billows in a soft Mediterranean breeze. Their presence enhances the floral bouquet, making it feel expansive, weightless, and polished. The inclusion of French narcissus introduces a slightly indolic, almost leathery depth, while Calabrian bergamot—sourced from the sun-soaked groves of southern Italy—adds a crisp citrus sparkle, its tart zest lending the fragrance an immediate feeling of freshness. Dutch lilac, with its powdery softness and faint hint of almond, rounds out the top, like the first breath of spring captured in a bottle.
As the scent warms, the florals intensify, each petal unfolding in full bloom. Chinese magnolia, exotic and slightly citrusy, brings a creamy richness, tempering the sharpness of the aldehydes and merging seamlessly with Grasse jasmine, which is intoxicating, narcotic, and deeply sensual. Jasmine from Grasse, France—the perfume capital of the world—has a distinct depth, both luminous and sultry, lending an undeniable elegance to the heart of Ecco. Alpine lily of the valley introduces a cool, green crispness, its delicate white bells emitting a scent both fresh and aqueous, like the first thaw of spring in the mountains. Then, there is the intoxicating Nossi-Be ylang ylang, grown on the small island off Madagascar. This ylang ylang is prized for its balance of banana-like creaminess and spicy, slightly medicinal undertones, adding a sultry exoticism that lingers like sun-warmed skin.
As the fragrance settles into its base, it takes on a velvety, sensual warmth. The deep animalic allure of Abyssinian civet and Tibetan musk lends an undeniable vintage luxury, evoking the sumptuous perfumes of the early 20th century, when scent was meant to last and linger like a second skin. These musky notes, both soft and slightly feral, create a rich depth that enhances the floral opulence, ensuring that Ecco never fades too quickly. Ambergris, with its subtly salty, marine quality, smooths the composition, lending it a luminous, almost ethereal softness.
Then comes the Mysore sandalwood, a note so precious it has become nearly mythical in modern perfumery. This rare Indian sandalwood is revered for its deep, creamy, and almost buttery woodiness, unlike any other variety. It enriches the fragrance with a gentle smokiness, grounding the entire composition in warmth and quiet sophistication. Finally, Mexican vanilla—known for its bold, spicy sweetness—cloaks the scent in an enveloping, sensuous finish, not sugary but rich and indulgent, leaving a whisper of warmth on the skin.
Ecco is not merely a fragrance—it is an experience, a journey through lush floral gardens, warm sunlit terraces, and the intoxicating embrace of timeless femininity. It is both fresh and vintage, refined and inviting, a scent that lingers with the grace of an unforgettable memory.
Product Line:
Ecco by Princess Marcella Borghese was available in a luxurious and thoughtfully curated range of products, allowing women to experience its refined floral elegance in multiple forms. Whether worn as a statement scent or subtly layered for a more delicate effect, each product in the line was designed to complement the timeless sophistication of the fragrance.
The Parfum (Profumo) was the most concentrated and indulgent form of Ecco. Presented in an elegant flacon, the parfum offered a rich, opulent experience, where the depth of jasmine, rose, and warm aldehydes unfolded slowly on the skin, leaving a long-lasting, intimate sillage. This was the choice for women who appreciated the ritual of applying perfume with precision, a single drop lingering beautifully for hours.
For those who preferred an even more sensuous and skin-hugging fragrance experience, the Perfume Oil provided a concentrated yet subtle way to wear Ecco. The oil format allowed the scent to meld seamlessly with the skin's natural warmth, enhancing the rich florals and soft aldehydic glow with a silky, luxurious texture. Applied to pulse points, it created an aura of effortless femininity.
The Eau de Parfum Spray and Eau de Parfum Splash (Acqua di Profumo) offered a more versatile and wearable concentration, ideal for both day and evening wear. With a balanced intensity, the Eau de Parfum maintained the fragrance’s complexity while allowing for a lighter, more diffusive application. The splash format, housed in a classic bottle, allowed for a personalized touch, with women dabbing or generously applying the scent as they desired.
For a more casual and refreshing fragrance experience, the Natural Spray Cologne (Acqua di Profumo) and Cologne Splash provided a lighter, airier interpretation of Ecco. These versions maintained the signature floral warmth but with a brighter, more delicate presence, perfect for warmer days or moments when a subtle veil of fragrance was preferred. The Cologne Splash, with its graceful, effortless application, invited women to refresh and revive their scent throughout the day.
Adding to the collection’s elegance, the Solid Perfume Compact was a practical yet sophisticated accessory, allowing for discreet touch-ups while on the go. Encased in an ornately designed compact, this format gave women a luxurious way to reapply their fragrance throughout the day, reinforcing Ecco’s timeless allure in a tactile, intimate form.
Beyond fragrance application, the Dusting Powder offered a way to experience Ecco in a soft, velvety texture, enveloping the skin in a whisper-light veil of perfumed luxury. Applied after a bath or before dressing, it provided a delicate, long-lasting scent while leaving the skin feeling silky smooth—a classic touch of refinement that reflected the era’s appreciation for elegant grooming rituals.
The Milk Bath allowed for the most indulgent experience, transforming an everyday bath into a spa-like ritual of relaxation and beauty. Infused with Ecco’s signature floral notes, the Milk Bath left the skin moisturized, delicately perfumed, and enveloped in a sense of pure luxury. It was a way to immerse oneself fully in the fragrance, turning bathing into a serene, sensory escape.
With its diverse range of products, the Ecco collection ensured that women could layer, enhance, and indulge in their signature scent in ways that suited every moment of their day. Whether through the intense richness of parfum, the light touch of cologne, or the soft elegance of dusting powder, Ecco was designed to be more than just a fragrance—it was an experience, a signature of timeless femininity.
Fate of the Fragrance:
Ecco by Princess Marcella Borghese was first launched in 1960, marking the debut of a fragrance that would capture the essence of modern femininity for a new generation. The perfume arrived during a time when the world was moving rapidly from the glamorous, post-war 1950s into the bold, transformative 1960s. The early 1960s were characterized by a blend of optimism and cultural shifts. Women’s fashion was evolving, with designs becoming more streamlined and practical, while the growing influence of youth culture began to change the landscape of beauty and style. The perfume world, too, was shifting, with fragrances becoming more diverse and expressive, moving away from the heavy, opulent scents of previous decades in favor of fresher, more vibrant compositions.
Ecco quickly became synonymous with elegance and sophistication, touted as "for the eternal woman," a timeless fragrance that epitomized grace and beauty. The combination of florals with aldehydes was perfect for the modern woman of the time—someone who appreciated refinement but also had a sense of independence. Advertisements and promotional materials highlighted its herbal and floral notes, creating a portrait of a fragrance that was as poised as it was inviting. It was a scent that aligned with the 1960s ideals of natural beauty, yet still maintained the allure and charm of classic, well-established luxury perfumes.
Although Ecco was beloved for its delicate balance of herbs, florals, and aldehydes, it was eventually discontinued, with the exact year of its end unknown. Despite this, the fragrance continued to make an impact well into the following decades. It was still being sold as late as 1991, a testament to its lasting appeal and the strength of Princess Marcella Borghese’s perfume empire. During the 1980s, a time of excess and boldness in both fashion and fragrance, Ecco represented a quieter, more subtle elegance. As the world moved towards heavier, more complex fragrances, Ecco's light and graceful composition continued to charm women who preferred a fragrance that captured the essence of femininity without overwhelming the senses.
Though it is no longer widely available today, Ecco remains a beloved piece of perfume history, embodying the spirit of an era where elegance and sophistication were at the forefront of fragrance creation. It marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of perfume during the 1960s, and its continued presence in the market through the 1990s speaks to the enduring allure of this classic floral composition.
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