Victoria by Victoria's Secret c1989

Victoria by Victoria's Secret; launched in 1988 in association with Gryphon Development.

Fragrance Composition:

Elle, 1989:

"This month, Victoria's Secret debuts Victoria, a frankly romantic scent with nostalgic notes of Bulgarian rose and raspberry blended with patchouli and sandalwood. The bottle (below) was inspired by the architecture of 17th-century England."

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

• Top notes: bergamot,  raspberry
• Middle notes: jasmine, lilac, and Bulgarian rose
• Base notes: vanilla, patchouli, oak moss, sandalwood, and patchouli

Bottles:

The Victoria fragrance line consisted of clear glass bottles, molded with a ribbed pattern. Bottles were accented with gilded metal and royal blue caps. Packaging was of royal blue and lustrous metallic gold. Despite the rest of the line using royal blue as the main color scheme, the Parfum flacon has an amethyst glass cap.

 

Bath & Body Line:

Originally the Victoria Bath Collection only included the Perfumed Bath & Body Shampoo and Perfumed Bubble Bath.

In 1995, the Victoria Bath Collection was expanded to include the following: Cleansing Body Buffer (an exfoliator), Dry Oil Spray (with nourishing Vitamin E, chamomile and watercress), and All-Over Body Mist (a light spray mist).

Victoria was available in the following:

• 0.175 oz Parfum Purse Spray (Heart Shaped)
• 0.145 oz Parfum Splash Miniature
• 0.38 oz Parfum Splash (glass stopper)
• 0.25 oz Parfum Purse Spray
• 0.5 oz Eau de Cologne Spray
• 0.38 oz Eau de Cologne Purse Spray
• 1.7 oz Eau de Cologne Splash
• 1.7 oz Eau de Cologne Spray
• 4 oz All Over Body Mist (in glass bottle)
• 4 oz All Over Body Splash (in plastic bottle)
• 0.5 oz Dry Oil Spray
• 4 oz Dry Oil Body Spray
• 2 oz Perfumed Body Lotion
• 2 oz Perfumed Body Cream
• 4 oz. Perfumed Body Lotion
• 7 oz. Perfumed Body Lotion
• 4 oz Perfumed Body Cream
• 5 oz Perfumed Body Cream
• 4 oz Perfumed Shower Gel
• 7 oz Perfumed Shower Gel
• 10 oz Perfumed Shower Gel
• 2.5 oz Perfumed Dusting Powder with Puff
• 2.5 oz Perfumed Dusting Powder Refill with Puff
• 4.5 oz Perfumed Body Powder
• Bath Oil Beads
• Potpourri

Perfumed Shower Gel: "Pour a generous amount of this luxurious perfumed shower gel onto a mesh sponge or loofah, work into a fragrant, billowy lather and enjoy a classic bathing experience."

Perfumed Body Lotion: "This sheer body lotion smooths on so easily and absorbs so quickly, you'll be amazed to discover how rich it really is. It's enhanced with skin soothing ingredients like chamomile and sweet almond oil to leave your skin exceptionally silky and sublimely scented."

Also available for the boudoir was the "Crystalline Decanter" which was a ribbed, clear glass trinket box/jar that resembled the dusting powder jar. It has a chunky blue glass lid, trimmed with a gilded band. It measures about 3" tall x about 3.75" diameter. The box reads: "This elegant Crystalline Decanter is the perfect accessory to house your most treasured keepsakes."

Fate of the Fragrance:

Early boxes are marked with "Distributed in the U.SA. by Gryphon Development, LP." The ingredients list is stated as follows: "Victoria Eau de Cologne Contains SD Alcohol 40, Fragrance, Benzophenone-2, D&C Red #33, FD&C Yellow #5. FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Blue #1."

Later boxes are marked "Distributed by Victoria's Secret Stores, Inc. Columbus, OH." The ingredients list is stated as follows: "Victoria Eau de Cologne Contains SD Alcohol 39C, Fragrance, Benzophenone-2, D&C Red #33, FD&C Yellow #5. FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Blue #1."

The ingredients list is stated as follows: "Victoria Eau de Cologne Contains SD Alcohol 39C, Fragrance, Benzophenone-2, D&C Red #33, FD&C Yellow #5. FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Blue #1." This time, for legal reasons, the boxes now sport a clear plastic label stating "Caution: Flammable. Keep away from flame or high heat."

The ingredients list is stated as follows: "Victoria Eau de Cologne Contains SD Alcohol 39C, Fragrance, Benzophenone-2, D&C Red #33, FD&C Yellow #5. FD&C Yellow #6, FD&C Blue #1." This time, the boxes no longer use a label, but are printed with the warning:"Caution: Flammable. Keep away from flame or high heat."

 

The fragrance was unfortunately discontinued by Victoria's Secret, why is beyond my imagination.

CLICK HERE TO FIND THE ORIGINAL VICTORIA PERFUME BY VICTORIA'S SECRET

A scent called Victoria II was also released around the same time. Its bottle was the same as the original Victoria fragrance, but it was made of light blue glass instead of clear.

A flanker scent known as Simply Victoria by Victoria's Secret was issued sometime before 2002. I believe it was launched in the early 1990s. This too is discontinued and is very hard to find.

In 2013, a perfume called Victoria by Victoria's Secret was launched. It is NOT the same as the 1988 original and smells different. It’s fragrance notes are: A sparkling blend of red berries, Victoria rose and crème brûlée.