Femina by Alberta Ferretti c1993

"Femina" by Parfums Alberta Ferretti was launched in 1993 in association with Proteo Profumi. Femina is a fascinating fragrance. It's intriguing to learn about its origins, association with Proteo Profumi, and the collaboration with Firmenich for its composition. 

Firmenich is a renowned Swiss company specializing in fragrance and flavor creation. Founded in 1895, it has become one of the leading firms in the industry, working with numerous luxury brands to develop perfumes and colognes. Their expertise lies in creating unique and captivating scents by blending various ingredients to achieve the desired olfactory profile. Collaborating with Parfums Alberta Ferretti on the creation of "Femina" suggests a commitment to crafting high-quality and distinctive fragrances.

Vepro USA likely played a significant role in its distribution and marketing, considering its launch through them. Ferretti's expertise in fashion would likely have influenced the perfume's aesthetic and style.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a fruity floral fragrance for women.

• Top notes: watermelon, bitter orange, tangerine, mandarin orange, ivy leaves
• Middle notes: violet leaves, carnation, wisteria, jasmine, gardenia, mimosa, marigold
• Base notes:  clove, vetiver, musk, sandalwood

Based on its classification as a fruity floral fragrance and its notes, "Femina" by Parfums Alberta Ferretti offers a refreshing and vibrant scent experience. The combination of watermelon, bitter orange, tangerine, and mandarin orange in the top notes suggests a juicy and citrusy opening, evoking a sense of brightness and energy. The addition of ivy leaves could introduce a subtle greenness, enhancing the freshness of the fragrance.

Moving into the heart of the scent, the floral notes such as violet leaves, carnation, wisteria, jasmine, gardenia, mimosa, and marigold create a rich bouquet that is both delicate and alluring. These floral accords could lend a feminine and romantic character to the fragrance, with each flower contributing its unique aroma.

As the scent settles, the base notes of clove, vetiver, musk, and sandalwood provide depth and warmth to the composition. Clove may add a hint of spice, while vetiver and sandalwood offer earthy and woody undertones. Musk provides a subtle sensuality and longevity to the fragrance, ensuring that it lingers on the skin.

Overall, "Femina" seems to be a sophisticated and multifaceted fragrance, blending fruity, floral, and woody notes to create a harmonious olfactory experience that is both uplifting and elegant.

Bottle:

Presented in a squat round clear glass bottle with a spiraling frosted stopper, designed by Serge Mansau. The bottle is of two colored glass, rose and blue, manufactured by a process newly developed by Pochet et du Courval. It was also made by Saint Gobain Desjonqueres.  

The bottle design for "Femina" by Parfums Alberta Ferretti is a work of art in itself. Let's delve into the details:

• Design: The bottle is described as a squat round clear glass bottle with a spiraling frosted stopper. This design choice suggests a blend of elegance and modernity, with the frosted stopper adding a touch of sophistication.

• Designer: Serge Mansau is a renowned French perfume bottle designer. He has created iconic bottle designs for numerous fragrance brands, often collaborating with prestigious names in the industry. His designs are known for their creativity, elegance, and attention to detail.

• Glass Manufacturing: Pochet et du Courval is a French company specializing in luxury glass packaging for perfumes, cosmetics, and spirits. They are known for their innovative techniques and high-quality craftsmanship. The process newly developed by Pochet et du Courval for the two-colored glass in the "Femina" bottle suggests a cutting-edge approach to glass manufacturing, likely contributing to the bottle's visual appeal.

• Saint Gobain Desjonqueres: Saint-Gobain Desjonquères is a division of Saint-Gobain, a multinational corporation headquartered in France. They specialize in glass packaging solutions for the perfume, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. With a rich history dating back to the 17th century, Saint-Gobain Desjonquères is recognized for its expertise in glass manufacturing and its commitment to innovation and quality.

Altogether, the bottle of "Femina" by Parfums Alberta Ferretti seems to be a collaboration of talented designers and glass manufacturers, resulting in a visually striking and artistically crafted vessel for the fragrance.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown. The perfume has been distributed by Elizabeth Arden since 2008.

Elizabeth Arden is a well-known American cosmetics and fragrance company with a rich history in the beauty industry. Their involvement in distributing "Femina" likely provided the fragrance with broader exposure and access to their extensive distribution network.

As for the discontinuation of the perfume, it's not uncommon for fragrances to be discontinued over time due to various factors such as changes in consumer preferences, marketing strategies, or ingredient availability. Unfortunately, without specific information on the discontinuation date, it's challenging to pinpoint exactly when "Femina" was no longer available. However, the collaboration with Elizabeth Arden during its distribution phase likely contributed to its visibility and longevity in the market.

In 1995, a flanker scent called Parfum de Nuit was released. It is classified as a floral chypre fragrance for women. The bottle resembles the original by Serge Mansau.

• Top notes are black currant, mandarin, pink grapefruit, neroli and petit grain
• Middle notes: nutmeg, jasmine, orange blossom, mimosa and ylang-ylang
• Base notes: sandalwood, vanilla, amber, cedar, vetiver, patchouli, oakmoss and musk

"Parfum de Nuit" sounds like an intriguing flanker to the original "Femina" fragrance, offering a different olfactory experience while retaining some of the characteristics of the original. Let's explore its composition:

Classification: "Parfum de Nuit" is classified as a floral chypre fragrance for women. Chypre fragrances are known for their sophisticated blend of citrus, floral, and woody notes, often with a base of oakmoss and patchouli. This classification suggests a fragrance that is elegant, timeless, and perhaps with a touch of mystery, fitting for an evening scent.

Bottle Design: It's noteworthy that the bottle design of "Parfum de Nuit" resembles the original, designed by Serge Mansau. This consistency in design suggests a visual continuity between the two fragrances, maintaining a cohesive brand identity.

Notes:

• Top Notes: The top notes of black currant, mandarin, pink grapefruit, neroli, and petit grain offer a vibrant and citrusy opening, likely providing a burst of freshness and energy.

• Middle Notes: The heart of the fragrance features nutmeg, jasmine, orange blossom, mimosa, and ylang-ylang. These floral and spicy notes contribute to the complexity of the scent, adding depth and allure.

• Base Notes: The base notes include sandalwood, vanilla, amber, cedar, vetiver, patchouli, oakmoss, and musk. This rich and diverse base suggests a warm, woody, and musky finish, with hints of sweetness and earthiness, characteristic of chypre fragrances.

That being said, "Parfum de Nuit" appears to be a sophisticated and multifaceted fragrance, designed to evoke the allure and mystique of the night. With its blend of citrus, florals, spices, and woods, it likely offers a rich and captivating olfactory experience, perfect for evening wear or special occasions.