On Dit by Elizabeth Arden c1937

On Dit by Elizabeth Arden: launched in 1937 and created by Edmond Roudnitska. It was apparently put on hold from production during the war and was re-launched as soon as it was over in 1945.

The perfume's name means "They Say..." in French, the suggestion is of juicy gossip among Arden's salon patrons and shown as a literal interpretation in the bottle's design of two ladies, one has her hand held discreetly over her mouth as she whispers into the ear of her companion. The top of the bottle represents the curling hairdos of the women and forms an over cap covering an inner glass stopper.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It was classified as a floral chypre perfume with woody, mossy and leafy notes. Similar to Mitsouko by Guerlain.

• Top notes: bergamot, galbanum, aldehydes
• Middle notes: rose and jasmine
• Base notes: vetiver, vanilla, labdanum, patchouli, oakmoss, sandalwood, cedar, ambergris, musk

Harper's Bazaar, 1946:

"Elizabeth Arden's new French perfume, " It says ",  in a baroque bottle, 1 oz, $ 37.50."

Modern Packaging, 1947:

"Elizabeth Arden's On Dit "Carousel" perfume uses a fragile, frosted French bottle with bas-relief profiles of lovely ladies whispering to one another set on a die-cut platform."

Cue, 1949:

"Elizabeth Arden encloses her Blue Grass, Night and Day and It's You perfumes in heart-shaped, jeweled boxes at $2.25 and $3.25. She also puts a golden flacon of On Dit on a vermillion cushion in a transparent, heart-shaped box. $12."

Cue, 1950:

"His jeweled coronet is the top of a Perfumair, obtainable in any of Miss Arden's fine fragrances. $ 2.75. Or you might prefer her charming little paper weight in all which a bottle of " On Dit "perfume nestles in violet flowers inside a transparent ball."

The New Yorker, 1950:

"Here, in a precious little jewel of a bottle, Elizabeth Arden presents a new way of carrying her lovely perfumes. Perfumair... My Love, It's You, On Dit, Night and Day , White Orchid, Blue Grass."

The New Yorker, 1952:

"Elizabeth Arden does up On Dit perfume (we're off rose scents for the moment) in giant female torso swathed in drapery— a Lalique job — for $78."

Soap, Cosmetics, Chemical Specialties, Volume 29, 1953:

"On Dit," a new bath set of "Jasmin" hard milled bath soap, bath salts and bath powder has been introduced by Elizabeth Arden, Inc., New York, in a solid bottom box with transparent acetate cover. Plastic cover made by Plax Corp.."

Bottles:

 

ELIZABETH ARDEN "On Dit" figural perfume bottle of frosted glass with inner stopper, in extremely rare box with graphics by Rene Bouche. c. 1948. 3 3/4". Photo by Rago Arts. Sold for $5,500 in 2007.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown.

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