Scaasi for Women by Scaasi c1989

Scaasi for Women by Scaasi: launched in 1989. Signature fragrance of designer Arnold Scassi; in association with Prestige Fragrances, a division of Revlon. The scent was formally introduced on November 5, 1989. 

First Lady Barbara Bush significantly promoted the Scaasi brand by selecting designer Arnold Scassi to create much of her wardrobe during President George H.W. Bush's inauguration. Her association with the designer helped elevate his profile and showcased his work on a prominent national stage.

The fragrance Scaasi was initially sold at all 46 Saks Fifth Avenue stores before expanding to other specialty venues in 1990. As part of the launch, Arnold Scaasi made personal appearances at department stores in major US cities. He designed six evening gowns in the same colors as the fragrance's packaging—emerald green, fuchsia, and black. These gowns were prominently featured in the windows of Saks' flagship store and seven other Saks locations 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."

Arnold Scaasi emphasized the alignment between his fashion design philosophy and the fragrance, highlighting a trend toward romanticism and glamour in both clothing and scent. This approach resonated with the desires of women at the time, seeking more romantic and glamorous options in their wardrobes and fragrances.

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

After several months of negotiations, the contract between Arnold Scaasi and Revlon was signed in February of 1989. This agreement set the stage for the development and launch of the Scaasi fragrance later that year.

"I'm not a minimalist designer, and I didn't want a scent that smelled faded, or washed out," Scaasi 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."

Arnold Scaasi emphasized his desire for a bold and captivating fragrance that reflected his non-minimalist design philosophy, aiming to create an immediate and powerful impression. Among his criteria for the scent were that it be both floral and fairly strong. Scaasi 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 features 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 Scaasi fragrance line included eau de parfum natural spray, indulgent body lotion, opulent body cream, and extravagant body powder. These products were designed to provide a luxurious and cohesive scent experience.

The Scaasi perfume was acquired by Revlon and relaunched in 1989. This relaunch marked a significant partnership between Arnold Scaasi and Revlon, bringing his signature fragrance to a wider audience with the backing of a major beauty company.

Fragrance Composition:

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

• 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

Scaasi offers an olfactory journey that's far from a politely light floral, but rather an opulent blend. Its top notes include green notes, coriander, rose, Amalfi lemon, bergamot, mandarin, orange blossom, and apricot. The heart of the fragrance is a rich bouquet of rose, narcissus, carnation, ylang-ylang, violet, gardenia, living tuberose, and jasmine. The scent finishes with warm, spicy woods, mosses, and amber, featuring base notes of oakmoss, amber, vanilla, vetiver, sandalwood, civet, and musk.

Bottle:

The Scaasi bottle, designed by Pierre Dinand in 1989 and manufactured by Pochet et du Courval with plastic components supplied by TPI, is a visual representation of luxury and elegance. The bottle features a V-shaped band of frosted glass topped by an emerald green collar, adorned with the name "Scaasi" in gold lettering. The packaging echoes the sophistication of the fragrance itself, with an emerald green and black box accented by a fuchsia interior, creating a striking presentation for the scent.

The Scaasi fragrance line included a variety of options to suit different preferences and budgets:

• 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

These options allowed consumers to choose their preferred format and size. In addition to the fragrances, the Scaasi line also included luxurious body care products to complement the scent experience:

• Indulgent Body Lotion
• Opulent Body Cream
• Extravagant Body Powder

These body care products were designed to enhance and prolong the fragrance, providing a full sensory experience of opulence and luxury.

Fate of the Fragrance:

As of my last update in January 2023, there hasn't been specific information available regarding the discontinuation date of the Scaasi perfume. Product discontinuations can occur for various reasons such as changes in consumer preferences, company strategies, or shifts in the market. If you're looking for the most current information, I'd recommend checking with Revlon or Prestige Fragrances directly or searching for recent updates online.