Sweet Revenge by La Palma International was launched in 1992. This unique fragrance was specially crafted for author Sugar Rautbord by the renowned Givaudan-Roure, in collaboration with La Palma International.
Chicago Magazine, 1992:
"Today, the task at hand is smelling perfume. Givaudan-Roure, the prestigious French perfume house (creators of Obsession! L'Air du Temps!), has mixed up three different possibilities, or "fragrance directions." One of them will be chosen as Sweet Revenge. This perfume will be available [as] scented bookmarks in hardcover copies of Sweet Revenge and on a scratch-and-sniff panel in the paperback edition. It will be sold through an 800 number.
Sugar reads from the Givaudan-Roure descriptions. "'Sweet Revenge #1: This uniquely feminine creation begins with an exotic top note of refreshing bergamot, succulent mandarin, and indulgent orange blossom." There's more, including a heart note of coriander and a base of amber, sandalwood, and oak moss. "Mmm," she says. "It doesn't hurt anybody, but they know you mean business. That's nice."
Next, Sweet Revenge #2: "'A delightful bouquet derived from uncut, unharmed living flowers'—oh, is this politically correct or what?" Spray, sniff. A rose-and-jasmine scent wafts through the room, over the Italian writing desk, past the photo of an evening gown and a black motorcycle jacket shaking hands with Ronald Reagan (how was she to know that you shouldn't wear décolletage to the White House?!). "That's lovely," says Sugar. "That's very sophisticated, very expensive-smelling.
Last is a fragrance called Mûre et Musqué. "They created this one after they met me," says Sugar. Obviously, Givaudan-Roure's "noses" were impressed, for the notes on Mûre et Musqué include such words as "full-bodied," "sensual," "sparkling," and "deep-smoldering."
Spray, sniff again. It's a subtle, yet surprisingly complicated creation. Just when you think you've gotten its full impact, a lingering bottom note blossoms. "Gosh," says Sugar, "one whiff and you never knew what hit you."
In 1992, Chicago Magazine detailed the creative process behind the Sweet Revenge fragrance. The prestigious French perfume house Givaudan-Roure, known for iconic scents like Obsession and L'Air du Temps, crafted three potential "fragrance directions" for the perfume to be paired with Sugar Rautbord's novel, Sweet Revenge.
Sugar Rautbord read from Givaudan-Roure's descriptions:
- Sweet Revenge #1: This uniquely feminine creation opens with an exotic blend of refreshing bergamot, succulent mandarin, and indulgent orange blossom, followed by a heart note of coriander and a base of amber, sandalwood, and oak moss. Sugar commented, "It doesn't hurt anybody, but they know you mean business. That's nice."
- Sweet Revenge #2: A delightful bouquet derived from uncut, unharmed living flowers, with prominent rose and jasmine notes. This scent was described by Sugar as "very sophisticated, very expensive-smelling."
- Mûre et Musqué: Created after meeting Sugar, this full-bodied, sensual fragrance is both sparkling and deep-smoldering. Upon trying it, Sugar noted, "One whiff and you never knew what hit you."
The chosen fragrance would be featured as scented bookmarks in the hardcover copies of Sweet Revenge and on a scratch-and-sniff panel in the paperback edition. Additionally, it would be available for order through a toll-free number.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral oriental fragrance for women.
- Top notes: bergamot, mandarin
- Middle notes: jasmine, rose, orange blossom, coriander
- Base notes: vanilla, musk, sandalwood, oakmoss, amber, patchouli, vetiver
Mass Communication, 1996:
"When the novel Sweet Revenge, set in the cosmetics industry, was released, the author, Sugar Rautbord, worked with a perfume company to develop a perfume named "Sweet Revenge" to debut with the book. Rights to the perfume were given to a cosmetics manufacturer, which also provided the scent for a bookmark that included an 800 number people could call to order the perfume. The publisher ran an ad in two popular magazines tying the book and the perfume together, and the publicity surrounding the tie-in resulted in additional sales. Major magazines also ran stories about the tie-in. In-store book displays showed a giant bottle of the perfume along with book covers and pictures of the author. "
In 1996, "Mass Communication" reported on the unique marketing strategy behind the novel Sweet Revenge, set in the cosmetics industry. When the book was released, author Sugar Rautbord collaborated with a perfume company to create a fragrance named "Sweet Revenge" to launch alongside the novel. The rights to the perfume were assigned to a cosmetics manufacturer, which also produced a scented bookmark featuring an 800 number for ordering the perfume.
The publisher ran advertisements in two popular magazines, linking the book and the perfume, which significantly boosted sales. Major magazines featured stories about this innovative tie-in, further amplifying publicity. In-store book displays showcased a giant bottle of the perfume alongside book covers and pictures of the author, creating a cohesive and engaging promotional campaign.
Chicago Tribune, 1992:
"If you believe the perfume manufacturers of the world, fragrance formulas inspire and are inspired by all manner of emotions, such as passion, obsession and joy. Now a Chicago socialite has found a way to put revenge into a bottle- in addition to between the covers of a book.
In honor of Sugar Rautbord`s second novel, ''Sweet Revenge,'' (Villard Books, $20), a fragrance company has created an exclusive scent called, of course, Sweet Revenge. In conjunction with the June launch of the book, bookstore customers will be able to order a complimentary sample of the fragrance through a toll-free telephone number.
There is a possibility the fragrance will be on sale to the general market."
According to the Chicago Tribune in 1992, perfume manufacturers often claim that their fragrances evoke a range of emotions such as passion, obsession, and joy. Now, a Chicago socialite has managed to encapsulate the essence of revenge in a bottle, complementing her literary work.
In celebration of Sugar Rautbord's second novel, Sweet Revenge (Villard Books, $20), a fragrance company created an exclusive scent aptly named "Sweet Revenge." Coinciding with the book's June launch, bookstore customers could order a complimentary sample of the fragrance via a toll-free number. There were also plans for the fragrance to potentially become available to the general market.
Fate of the Fragrance:
Despite its intriguing development and promotional efforts, the Sweet Revenge fragrance was never publicly sold. I did have a sample of this classic floral oriental scent, which perfectly encapsulated the essence of the novel.
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