Glorious by Gloria Vanderbilt c1988

 "Glorious" is a perfume by Gloria Vanderbilt that was launched in 1988. It's known for its rich, floral fragrance with notes of jasmine, rose, and amber. The perfume was quite popular in its time and remains a classic scent for many perfume enthusiasts.

Product Marketing for Beauty Industry Retailers & Manufacturers, 1987:

"Glorious, the new scent from the Cosmair Retail Fragrance Division, will be on counter at 3,000 department stores and more than 5,000 drug and specialty stores this month. The fragrance was inspired by fashion designer/author, Gloria Vanderbilt, also the inspiration for Cosmair's Vanderbilt fragrance. The scent is billed as one that captures the elegance and sophistication of Miss Vanderbilt's Newport, RI youth... 

Glorious will debut with Gloria Vanderbilt making personal in-store visits at the following department stores: May Co. in Los  Angeles, Sanger-Harris (now Foley's) in Dallas, Marshall Field's in Chicago, Belk in Charlotte, Emporium Capwell in San Francisco, and Macy's New York. The launch coincides with the debut of Vanderbilt's new book, Black Knight, White Knight. A joint publicity tour is planned - including radio and television show guest appearances  - to promote Glorious and the new book. 

Glorious will be sold at 1,500 Sears, Montgomery Ward and JC Penney stores. Penney's, one of the stores as which Miss Vanderbilt is slated to appear, will offer a gift with purchase tote bag to introduce Glorious in its Seattle, Tacoma, St Louis and Tampa units. On-going during this key period will be a display contest and a model search conducted at store level. According to Dorothy Foster, senior buyer, cosmetics for JC Penney, a Mother's Day direct mail piece mailing to three million consumers will promote the new scent. A credit mailer is also under consideration. 

Cosmair is limiting distribution of the scent to drug chains staffed with in-store cosmeticians. Cosmair will be spending a whopping $13 million to support the Glorious line. In the first two months following the introduction, a total of $4 million will be spent to promote the scent on national network television."

This excerpt provides a fascinating glimpse into the marketing strategy behind the launch of Gloria Vanderbilt's "Glorious" perfume in 1987. Here's a breakdown of the key points:

• Distribution: The perfume was strategically distributed across various types of stores, including department stores, drugstores, and specialty stores. This wide distribution ensured that Glorious would be accessible to a large consumer base.

• Inspiration: Glorious was inspired by Gloria Vanderbilt's elegant and sophisticated upbringing in Newport, RI, which aimed to capture her essence and style in a fragrance.

• Promotional Events: Gloria Vanderbilt herself made personal in-store visits to several department stores to promote the fragrance, coinciding with the launch of her new book, "Black Knight, White Knight." This joint publicity tour included radio and television appearances to generate buzz around both the perfume and the book.

• Gift with Purchase: Retailers like JC Penney offered a gift with purchase, such as a tote bag, to incentivize customers to try the new fragrance.

• Promotional Activities: Various promotional activities were planned, including display contests, model searches, and direct mail campaigns targeting millions of consumers, particularly around Mother's Day.

• Advertising Budget: A significant advertising budget of $13 million was allocated to support the Glorious line, with a substantial portion dedicated to national network television advertising in the first two months after the launch.

Overall, this marketing strategy demonstrates a comprehensive approach to launching a new fragrance, leveraging celebrity association, strategic distribution, promotional events, and a substantial advertising budget to maximize visibility and drive sales.

The Atlantic, 1987:

Glorious, the new entry from Gloria Vanderbilt, was launched last April with a $14 million advertising and promotion campaign.

Report on Business Magazine, 1988:

"Gloria Vanderbilt brought out Glorious last April with a $14-million budget."

 

Fragrance Composition:

Notes at a glance:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral fragrance for women. It begins with a fresh green top, followed by a green floral heart, resting on a powdery base.

• Top notes: aldehydes, Caribbean hibiscus, fruity notes, tangerine, gardenia, English privet blossoms, green notes, mandarin orange, peach blossom, galbanum, bergamot
• Middle notes: sweet pea, lavender, nasturtium, peony, tulip tree, boronia, lilac, carnation, jasmine, blue hyacinth, ylang-ylang, lily-of-the-valley,  rose
• Base notes: patchouli, sassafras, frangipani, vetiver, rosewood, sandalwood, amber, musk, oakmoss, orris root, vanilla bean, cedar

Scent Profile:

Glorious by Gloria Vanderbilt

Classification: Floral fragrance for women

Scent Profile:

Top Notes:

Opens with a burst of freshness, reminiscent of a vibrant garden in bloom. Aldehydes add a sparkling quality, creating a sense of effervescence. Caribbean hibiscus and fruity notes blend seamlessly with the zesty aroma of tangerine and mandarin orange. The fragrance is enveloped in the lush aroma of gardenia, peach blossom, and bergamot, evoking a sense of youthful vitality. Green notes and English privet blossoms add a crisp, verdant edge, while galbanum contributes a touch of resinous sweetness.

Middle Notes:

The heart of the fragrance reveals a lush bouquet of florals, with each note harmonizing to create a symphony of scent. Sweet pea and lavender impart a delicate sweetness, while nasturtium adds a hint of peppery spice. Peony, tulip tree, boronia, lilac, and carnation blend together to create a rich, multi-dimensional floral accord. Jasmine, blue hyacinth, and ylang-ylang infuse the composition with an intoxicating floral aroma, reminiscent of a blooming garden in springtime. Lily-of-the-valley and rose add a classic, romantic touch to the heart of the fragrance.

Base Notes:

The scent gradually transitions into a warm and enveloping base, anchored by earthy and sensual notes.

Patchouli and sassafras lend an exotic, spicy quality, while frangipani adds a creamy, tropical richness. Vetiver and rosewood provide depth and complexity, with sandalwood adding a smooth, creamy texture. Amber and musk create a soft, sensual aura that lingers on the skin, inviting closeness and intimacy. Oakmoss and orris root add a touch of earthiness, grounding the fragrance in nature. Vanilla bean and cedar contribute a warm, comforting sweetness, completing the olfactory journey with a lingering sense of warmth and nostalgia.

Overall Impression:

Glorious by Gloria Vanderbilt is a captivating floral fragrance that captures the essence of elegance and sophistication. From its fresh and vibrant opening to its warm and sensual drydown, this fragrance is a celebration of femininity and timeless beauty. With its lush bouquet of florals, sparkling citrus notes, and sensual base, Glorious evokes the feeling of walking through a blooming garden in springtime, enveloped in a veil of soft, intoxicating scent. A true classic that embodies the essence of romance and allure.

Product Marketing for Beauty Industry Retailers & Manufacturers, 1987:

"The scent, created by V. Manes Fils and perfumer Jill Resnick, encompasses floral top notes that include privet flowers from England, rich hibiscus from the Caribbean, tangerine, gardenia, blue hyacinth, nasturtium, peony, lilac and jasmine. The base notes are musk, patchouli, sandalwood, sassafras, frangipani, vetiver, rosewood, oakmoss, orris and vanilla bean."

Bottles:

Product Marketing for Beauty Industry Retailers & Manufacturers, 1987:

 "The line includes .5 ounces of EDT spray at $12 and 1.7 ounces of EDT spray at $22; 1.7 ounces of EDT for $29, and .25 ounces for $45. The burnished, gold-colored bottles have gilded, tapered caps. Glorious' carton is pearlescent white with a hyacinth/lilac blue embossed emblem bearing Gloria Vanderbilt's signature in gold. "

Here's a breakdown of the product lineup for Gloria Vanderbilt's "Glorious" fragrance, including various sizes and formulations:

Parfum:

• 1/8 oz Parfum Splash miniature in frosted glass bottle
• 0.25 oz Parfum Splash in frosted glass bottle

Eau de Toilette (EDT):

• 0.3 oz EDT Spray
• 0.5 oz EDT Spray
• 1 oz EDT Spray
• 1.7 oz EDT Spray
• 1/8 oz EDT Splash miniature
• 1.7 oz EDT Splash
• 0.25 oz EDT Splash

Perfumed Body Powder:

• 2 oz Perfumed Body Powder
• 4 oz Perfumed Body Powder

Packaging:

• The parfum splashes come in frosted glass bottles, adding a touch of elegance to the packaging.

• The EDT sprays are housed in sleek, convenient spray bottles for easy application.

• The perfumed body powder is available in both 2 oz and 4 oz sizes, offering options for different preferences and usage habits.

Overall Impression:

With a variety of sizes and formulations available, Glorious by Gloria Vanderbilt caters to different preferences and usage occasions. Whether customers prefer the concentrated richness of parfum, the lighter elegance of EDT, or the luxurious feel of perfumed body powder, there's an option for everyone to enjoy the timeless scent of Glorious.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Despite its discontinuation, Glorious by Gloria Vanderbilt continued to enchant fragrance enthusiasts even after its initial run. Even in 1994, fans were delighted to find it available, albeit at discounted prices, offering a rare opportunity to indulge in the timeless allure of this iconic scent at an accessible price point. Though no longer in production, its lingering presence on the market served as a testament to its enduring popularity and the lasting impact it had on those who cherished its captivating aroma.