My Islands Colognes by Colton c1967

The My Islands colognes came out in 1967 as the women's counterpart to Nine Flags, and were also manufactured by Colton, distributed in the UK by Gillette. There were six different colognes named after famous islands.

 "Something happens to a girl on an island; My Islands colognes by Colton."

 

Bottles:

The acid frosted glass bottles held 2.5 fl oz and were squat and ribbed, and their bases came up like a dome into the bottle. These bottles could then be stacked one inside the other. The caps were the same brushed aluminum but had rounded tops so that they would fit the bases of one another. They were also available in an atomizer bottle. The bottles were designed by Massimo Vignelli.

Design-Vignelli, 1990:

"Nine Flags Cologne was a line of nine different fragrances sold in various combinations.  Defying the prevailing stereotype of the macho man, we addressed ourselves to men who likes fine instruments like cameras, microscopes, and hi-fi, and designed a line of containers resembling laboratory bottles overprotected by styrofoam boxes. "My Islands" was born in 1967.  For this line we designed special bottles of acid-frosted glass that stacked one inside the other. They were packaged in hexagonal boxes of silver foil,  with the content description in large-size type. The packages were again a success, but not their contents, and eventually both lines were discontinued."

Fragrances:

• Majorca (a lush, tropical, pungent floral scent with notes of rose, almond blossom, jasmine and precious green aromatics and woods)

• Corfu (a sultry oriental floral scent with notes of hyacinth, rose, muguet and ylang with smooth woodsy notes)

• Barbados (a forest cool, rich green floral scent with notes of fruits, neroli, tuberose and jasmine)

• Stromboli (a warm, velvety floral scent with notes of exotic smoky woods, musk and vibrant, flowers)

• Skye (a light green meadow scent with notes of aldehydes, fresh cut grass, violets and soft heather)

• Moorea (a warm, dry floral scent with notes of flowers, spices and incense)

The Pittsburgh Courier, 1967:

"MY ISLANDS COLOGNE. A package so new only a master like Massimo Vignelli could have designed it, with its unique six tiered array of etched glass frosted bottles, and only that exotic islands of Corfu, Moorea, Skye, Barbados, Majorca and Stromboli could have compounded these unique essences chosen for women by men. 

 As Spanish as Spain the lush, tropical, pungent florals of MAJORCA, one of six exotic My Islands scents photographed with the others against a background painting by HAHN VIDAL. Considered one of the foremost flower painters in the world, the artist has captured the craggy rocks, the deep red and creamy white roses, and the almond blossoms of this sun - kissed island in a gorgeous message of color.  

Inspired by colognes, whose fragrance literally hints of their origins, Hahn Vidal has created paintings for all six scents. "My Islands" Cologne Goes Native Elegantly "My Islands". The mystique of six of the most interesting islands in the world has been captured by The Colton Company in six exquisite scents called "MY ISLANDS." Each fragrance is so precisely native it is literally a liquid massage from the island of its name. Incredibly, one can identify the islands they are named for by sniffing just a whisper of these six unique cologne.". The essences were actually compounded on and imported from the exotic islands whose names they bear.  

There's the sultry voice of Corfu, the smoky message of Stromboli, the beckoning incense of Moorea, the misty charm of Skye, the lush tropics of Majorca and the rich florals of Barbados. The etched glass frosted bottles, packaged in a hexagonal box of dramatic silver and black, stack in an unusual tiered array. An eye catcher and a space saver, the entire visual concept is the creation of Massimo Vignelli, internationally known designer and winner of such awards as the Grand Prix, the Gold Medal at the Triennale of Milano. and the Gold Compass Award for Product Design.  

The six scents are tinted with the silvery blues and greens of the island waters. CORFU ... is a sultry, exotic scent blending the oriental florals of hyacinth, rose, muguet and ylang with smooth woodsy . notes. Not quite like anything else your nose has known.  

MAJORCA . . . Lush and tropical, the pungent florals of natural rose and jasmine are linked in this cologne with precious green aromatics. A heady scent, designed to make "him" spin.  

STROMBOLI . . . Warm, musky tones of exotic woods erupting into a vibrant, velvety floral. Young and ripe at the same time, it belongs to the day or to arv evening mood.  

SKYE ... As green as fresh - cut grass, as soft as the violets and heather of the misty Isle of Skye. This scent is as new as morning.  

MOOREA . . . A sophisticated 4 floral with just a ' ' whisper of incense, hiding a million Secrets - , in its warm spicy fragrance. Here is a dry, lingering bouquet that could be you.  

BARBADOS . . . There's a hint of delicate fruits in this dark green cologne whose rich florals of neroli, tuberose and jasmine meet and mingle to produce a ripe milieu.  

Each of My Islands Colognes is individually packaged and is available in either liquid or an atomizer bottle. HAHN VIDAL, who is considered one of the best flower painters in the world, has created paintings to depict the flowers of the six islands. The wild roses, bougainvillaea, poinciana and other flora she has wooed to her canvas seem more alive than life."

Fate of the Fragrances:

These are very very rare compared to the Nine Flags colognes. I do not think they sold very well and were perhaps pulled from the market not long after they were launched. They were still being sold in 1975. 

CLICK HERE TO FIND THE MY ISLANDS COLOGNES BY COLTON