Les Parfums Forest

Les Parfums Forest, also known as Parfumerie Forest, was established in 1910 by M. Leon Cohn at 48 rue de Richelieu in Paris. This French perfume house, subtitled Parfumerie Moderne, embodied the sophisticated elegance of early 20th-century perfumery. Forest’s decision to use English names for many of its fragrances reflected the prevailing fashion of the time, where foreign words were employed to evoke luxury, international appeal, and cultural prestige. This mirrored the trend of American and English perfumers adopting French names to enhance the allure of their offerings.

Parfumerie Forest was renowned for its commitment to luxury and artistry in fragrance presentation. The company produced perfumes housed in exquisite bottles crafted from high-quality French crystal, often adorned with vibrant packaging and imaginative names that captured the romantic and opulent spirit of the era. The meticulous attention to detail elevated the fragrances to collector-worthy status, blending aromatic craftsmanship with visual artistry.

The celebrated French crystal manufacturer Baccarat played a significant role in enhancing Forest’s image of refinement. Baccarat provided bottles for several iconic Forest fragrances, including Chypre, Favori, Bouquet des Amoureux, Rose, Perle de la Mer, Jasmin, Forest Eau de Toilette (model #510), and Ming Toy. These bottles were not merely containers but works of art, showcasing Baccarat's mastery of crystal craftsmanship.

Adding to the allure of Forest’s packaging were the artistic contributions of Julien Viard, a prominent designer of the time. Viard created stunning bottle designs for fragrances such as Royal Moderne and Grand Chic. His designs blended intricate detailing with modern elegance, capturing the spirit of the belle époque and Art Deco periods.

Les Parfums Forest’s fusion of luxurious fragrances, high-quality materials, and artistic design positioned the brand as a beacon of modern perfumery in its time. The enduring legacy of its creations continues to enchant collectors and perfume enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of unparalleled elegance and innovation.

The fragrances of Parfumerie Forest:

• 1923 Chypre  
• 1923 Eau de Toilette  
• 1923 Jasmin  
• 1923 Rose   
• 1923 Ming Toy    
• 1924 Bouquet des Amoureux   
• 1924 Favori  
• 1924 Grand Chic  
• 1924 Marie Antoinette  
• 1924 Kreylis  
• 1924 Perle de la Mer  
• 1924 Royal Moderne  
• 1925 Premonda  
• 1926 Aldiguila
• 1926 Beaucaire  
• 1926 Monceau 
• 1927 Fleurs
• 1946 Jalousie
• 1946 Ami Intime
• 1946 Nuit Sauvage
• 1946 Personnalite
• 1946 Simplicite
• 1946 Pour Moi
• 1946 Ame Joyeuse
• 1946 Femme Heureuse

Parfumerie Forest’s portfolio of fragrances spans several decades, each scent embodying the luxurious and artistic essence of its time. These creations, often presented in exquisite crystal flacons by Baccarat and Julien Viard, reflect a blend of romantic inspiration and olfactory craftsmanship. Below, the fragrances are detailed, translated, and reimagined to evoke their probable aromatic profiles based on their names and historical context.

1923

Chypre (Cyprus)

A quintessential fragrance of the era, Chypre likely featured a traditional blend of oakmoss, patchouli, bergamot, and labdanum, creating a woody and mossy scent that evoked the Mediterranean landscape. Its earthy and elegant character made it a timeless classic.

Eau de Toilette (Toilet Water)

This would have been a lighter, refreshing fragrance, possibly centered on citrus and herbal notes, perfect for daily use. Its simplicity was a hallmark of modern sophistication.

Jasmin (Jasmine)

An ode to the intoxicating floral, this perfume likely captured the creamy, sweet, and slightly indolic facets of jasmine, with hints of green leaves or orange blossom to enhance its brightness.

Rose

A classic interpretation of the queen of flowers, Rose may have combined the velvety richness of damask or Bulgarian rose with fresh dewy accents, creating a timeless floral bouquet.

Ming Toy

This whimsical name evokes an exotic, playful fragrance, potentially featuring a mix of oriental spices, warm resins, and floral notes like ylang-ylang or tuberose, paired with a touch of sandalwood.

1924

Bouquet des Amoureux (Lovers' Bouquet)

A romantic floral symphony, this fragrance likely showcased a medley of lush blooms such as rose, lily, and violet, with a soft powdery finish to evoke the tenderness of love.

Favori (Favorite)

This perfume might have been a crowd-pleasing blend of creamy florals like gardenia and jasmine, paired with warm amber and musk, making it universally appealing.

Grand Chic (Great Elegance)

A bold and sophisticated scent, Grand Chic may have featured aldehydes and green notes, layered with rich florals like iris and narcissus, and a woody base for a glamorous finish.

Marie Antoinette

Evoking the lavish opulence of Versailles, this scent was likely a decadent floral blend, with notes of orange blossom, rose, and tuberose, anchored by sweet vanilla and amber.

Kreylis

An enigmatic name suggesting exotic inspiration, Kreylis could have been a rich oriental fragrance, with warm spices, resins, and smoky accords, softened by sweet florals.

Perle de la Mer (Pearl of the Sea)

This aquatic-inspired scent may have combined marine notes with fresh florals like lily of the valley, alongside a soft musky base of ambergris reminiscent of ocean breezes.

Royal Moderne (Modern Royalty)

Blending regal opulence with contemporary elegance, this fragrance likely balanced aldehydes and rich florals like iris and carnation with a warm, woody foundation.

1925-1927

Premonda (1925)

A name suggesting luxury and refinement, Premonda might have been an aldehydic floral, with sparkling top notes and a creamy, powdery base of sandalwood and musk.

Aldiguila (1926)

With an exotic allure, Aldiguila could have included oriental accords of amber, spices, and patchouli, paired with bright citrus and deep florals like ylang-ylang.

Beaucaire (1926)

Named after a picturesque town in France, Beaucaire may have been a fresh and verdant fragrance, featuring herbal and citrus notes, with a hint of lavender or violet.

Monceau (1926)

Inspired by the elegance of Parc Monceau in Paris, this scent likely highlighted fresh florals like lilac and iris, with green and slightly woody undertones.

Fleurs (1927)

A straightforward name for a lush floral blend, Fleurs was likely a celebration of spring blooms such as peony, lily, and hyacinth, capturing nature's beauty.

1946

Jalousie (Jealousy)

This dramatic name hints at a bold and provocative fragrance, possibly featuring rich chypre accords of oakmoss and patchouli, with sensual florals and spices.

Ami Intime (Intimate Friend)

A soft and comforting scent, Ami Intime might have included creamy florals, warm amber, vanilla and subtle hints of musk, creating a feeling of closeness and warmth.

Nuit Sauvage (Wild Night)

This mysterious fragrance likely combined deep, resinous notes of incense and myrrh with dark florals like jasmine and tuberose, evoking nocturnal sensuality.

Personnalité (Personality)

A vibrant and multifaceted scent, Personnalité may have blended aldehydes and florals with a woody and spicy base, reflecting individuality and charisma.

Simplicité (Simplicity)

True to its name, this perfume likely featured clean and uncomplicated notes, such as fresh citrus, green accords, and soft white florals, offering effortless elegance.

Pour Moi (For Me)

A personalized fragrance with an intimate feel, Pour Moi might have included comforting notes of vanilla, heliotrope, and musk, paired with a gentle floral heart.

Ame Joyeuse (Joyful Soul)

This cheerful fragrance likely featured sparkling citrus top notes, sunny florals like mimosa and narcissus, and a creamy amber base.

Femme Heureuse (Happy Woman)

A bright and uplifting scent, Femme Heureuse could have combined fruity top notes with soft florals like freesia and magnolia, finished with a warm, musky undertone.

The fragrances of Parfumerie Forest reflect the artistic and cultural trends of their respective periods, offering a spectrum of scents from bold chypres to tender florals and exotic orientals. Each name conveys a story, drawing the wearer into a world of romance, elegance, or mystery, enhanced by the brand’s luxurious packaging and artistic craftsmanship.

Bottles:

Ming Toy:

Ming Toy Perfume Bottle. On March 25, 1924, Leon Cohn of Paris, France, patented his design in America for a perfume bottle. The bottle represented a seated figure of a traditional Chinese girl with opened fan in hand and fancy headdress which formed the stopper of the bottle. The bottle was manufactured by Baccarat. The name "Ming Toy" is painted across the face of the fan, and the bottle of crystal glass has been decorated with colored enamels and gold. The bottle stands 4 3/8" tall. The perfume was still being sold in 1935.

Grand Chic:

Grand Chic, launched in 1918, still sold in 1924. This luxurious bottle in solid colorless pressed glass, molded with a cylindrical oval section, its curved curved body is decorated with four medallions and mistletoe in richly patinated anthracite reserves, high flared neck, with its faceted oval stopper repeating the same decor. Model designed by Julien Viard and attributed to Maurice Dépinoix. Height: 9cm.

Premonda: