Scaasi for Women by Scaasi c1989

Signature fragrance of designer Arnold Scassi; in association with Prestige Fragrances, a division of Revlon. The scent was introduced on November 5, 1989. 

First Lady Barbara Bush helped to promote the Scaasi name when she chose the designer to create much of her wardrobe at the time of President Bush's inauguration. 

The fragrance was first sold at all 46 Saks Fifth Avenue stores, then rolled out to other specialty venues in 1990. Scaasi made personal appearances at the department stores of the leading US cities. As part of the launch, he designed six styles of evening gowns in the same colors used in the packaging for his fragrance - emerald green, fuchsia and black. The gowns were featured in the window's of Saks' flagship and seven other Saks;' doors during the launch week. 

"The clothes I do now are very romantic and glamorous, and that's what women want to wear," Scaasi said. "I think we are seeing the same thing with scent. Women are moving toward more romantic fragrances. I started thinking about it a long time ago, and then I dropped the idea."

When president and CEO of Revlon's Fashion and Designers Group (which includes Prestige Fragrances), approached Scaasi the year prior, the idea of developing a fragrance was reborn. Scaasi said that "When I first started thinking about it six or seven years ago, we hadn't established the ready-to-wear."

After several months of negotiations, the contract between Scaasi and Revlon was signed in February of 1989.

"I'm not a minimalist designer, and I didn't want a scent that smelled faded, or washed out, he said. "When the people at Revlon asked me what I wanted it to be like, I said I want a woman to walk into the room and I want every man to fall in love with her immediately."

Among his criteria for the scent were that it be both floral and fairly strong. Scassi said he tested at least 25 fragrances before he found one he liked enough to put his name on. 

“When a woman walks into the room wearing Scaasi, everyone knows she’s there, and every man falls in love with her,..I wanted a strong fragrance but also one that wasn’t heavy," said fashion designer, Arnold Scaasi. The scent has a floral bouquet of tuberose, narcissus and apricots with a warm woodsy note. “Women seem to adore it,” he noted.

The parfum retailed at $250 an ounce when it debuted.  The line included eau de parfum natural spray, indulgent body lotion, opulent body cream and extravagant body powder.

The perfume was acquired by Revlon and relaunched in 1989.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a crisp fruity-floral chypre fragrance for women. Scaasi is a total olfactory surprise. Definitely not a politely light floral but an opulent mix of fruity mandarin and apricot nestled in a rose bouquet building to a soft, lasting finish of spicy, warm woods, mosses and amber.

• Top notes: green notes, coriander, rose, Amalfi lemon, bergamot, mandarin, orange blossom, apricot
• Middle notes: rose, narcissus, carnation, ylang-ylang, violet, gardenia, living tuberose, jasmine
• Base notes: oakmoss, amber, vanilla, vetiver, sandalwood, civet and musk

Bottle:

The bottle was designed by Pierre Dinand in 1989 and manufactured by Pochet et du Courval with plastic components supplied by TPI. The Scaasi bottle has a V-shaped band of frosted glass topped by an emerald green collar, with the name Scassi in gold. The box is emerald green and black, with fuchsia interior. 

The Scaasi line included the following:

• 1 oz Parfum (originally retailed for $250)
• 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Natural Spray (originally retailed for $55)
• 3.4 oz Eau de Parfum Natural Spray
• 3.4 oz Eau de Parfum Splash

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown.