My Islands Colognes by Colton c1967

The My Islands cologne collection debuted in 1967 as the feminine counterpart to the successful Nine Flags men’s cologne line. Produced by Colton and distributed in the UK by Gillette, this collection featured six distinct colognes, each named after a famous island: Stromboli, Majorca, Corfu, Barbados, Moorea, and Skye. The name My Islands was likely chosen to evoke a sense of personal connection and ownership, inviting wearers to experience the essence of these exotic locations as if they were their own private retreats. The phrase “My Islands” conjures images of sun-drenched shores, tranquil waters, and lush tropical landscapes, evoking emotions of escape, adventure, and indulgence. It suggests a deeply personal sensory journey—one where fragrance transports the wearer to distant destinations without ever leaving home.

The late 1960s was a period of social and cultural transformation, often referred to as the Swinging Sixties. It was an era defined by youth-driven movements, artistic experimentation, and a newfound emphasis on individuality and self-expression. In fashion, bold prints, mini skirts, and mod styles dominated, while a bohemian, jet-set aesthetic also took hold, reflecting the growing accessibility of international travel. The post-war economic boom had made exotic vacations more attainable, and a fascination with global destinations flourished. The influence of travel on perfumery was evident, with fragrances increasingly drawing inspiration from far-off places. Perfume marketing embraced escapism, offering scents that symbolized adventure and glamour.

For women of this time, My Islands would have represented both fantasy and sophistication. Those who had the means to travel could associate the scents with personal experiences, while others could indulge in the dream of distant shores through fragrance alone. The idea of wearing a scent imported from an island like Moorea or Majorca added an air of mystery and allure, aligning with the decade’s broader embrace of independence, exoticism, and sensuality.

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

In the context of other fragrances on the market, My Islands fit into the broader trend of destination-inspired perfumes that had gained traction in the 1960s. Fragrances like Estee Lauder’s Azurée (1969) and Guerlain’s Chamade (1969) also drew inspiration from travel and escapism. However, My Islands stood out due to its direct connection to specific locations, with each cologne formulated using essences sourced from its namesake island. This level of authenticity made it unique, positioning the line as more than just a fragrance—it was an olfactory passport to another world. 

 

Bottles:

The My Islands cologne bottles were a striking example of functional yet elegant design. Crafted from acid-frosted glass, each bottle held 2.5 fluid ounces and featured a squat, ribbed form. A unique aspect of their construction was the domed base, which extended upward into the bottle’s interior. This thoughtful design allowed the bottles to be stacked one inside the other, serving as a space-saving solution while maintaining a sleek aesthetic. The brushed aluminum caps were rounded at the top, designed to fit securely within the recessed bases of other bottles, reinforcing the stackable concept. This innovative approach made the collection visually cohesive while also reflecting a modern, minimalist sensibility.

Each My Islands cologne was available in both liquid and atomizer formats, providing options to suit different application preferences. The fragrances were sold individually, but consumers could also purchase curated sets featuring two, three, or four scents. This modular approach to packaging allowed for customization and encouraged fragrance layering or collecting.

The renowned Italian designer Massimo Vignelli was responsible for the design of the My Islands bottles, continuing his reputation for merging form and function. His work on the earlier Nine Flags cologne line had been praised for its laboratory-inspired aesthetic, designed for men who appreciated precision and craftsmanship in their everyday objects. For My Islands, Vignelli extended this philosophy into the realm of women’s perfumery, opting for a clean, architectural design that rejected the ornate or overtly feminine styles often associated with fragrance bottles of the time.

The packaging was equally distinctive, with hexagonal silver foil boxes featuring bold black typography describing the contents. This modernist, almost industrial approach set My Islands apart from traditional perfume presentations, aligning it with the contemporary design movements of the 1960s. Despite the success of the packaging, however, the colognes themselves failed to achieve lasting commercial popularity. As Vignelli later reflected, while the designs were innovative and well-received, the fragrances did not resonate strongly enough with consumers, leading to the eventual discontinuation of both the My Islands and Nine Flags lines.

 

Fragrances:

 

Majorca:

Majorca is a fragrance of sun-drenched opulence, an intoxicating blend of pungent florals, green aromatics, and warm woods, designed to capture the sensory splendor of the Balearic jewel itself. The scent is lush, heady, and unmistakably Mediterranean, evoking the golden light, salty sea air, and the riotous bloom of flora that carpets the island’s rugged landscapes.

The first inhale is a bold rush of natural rose and jasmine, their opposing yet complementary natures intertwining like vines on a sun-warmed terrace. The rose is rich, velvety, and full-bodied, not a delicate English garden variety but a Spanish damask rose, imbued with the sultry warmth of Majorca’s climate. Its deep, honeyed sweetness carries a whisper of spice, reminiscent of the Moorish influences that still linger in the island’s architecture and culture. The jasmine, in contrast, is fierce and narcotic, a night-blooming explosion of indolic sensuality, its almost animalic intensity softened by the salty tang of the Mediterranean breeze. These florals are not passive; they are commanding, hypnotic, and irresistible, setting the tone for the fragrance’s powerful allure.

As the florals settle, precious green aromatics unfurl, bringing a vibrant contrast of cool, herbaceous sharpness against the heady richness of the blooms. Perhaps this is a nod to the island’s ancient olive groves, the wild herbs that grow along its sun-scorched cliffs, or the citrus-laced air that drifts from its countless orchards. These verdant notes cut through the floral opulence, providing balance and lift, keeping the fragrance from becoming too heavy or overwhelming.

Beneath this verdant heart, a touch of almond blossom adds a warm, creamy softness, its delicate, almost powdery sweetness a reflection of the island’s almond orchards, which burst into bloom every February, covering the landscape in a haze of soft pink and white petals. This note is both delicate and deeply nostalgic, a whisper of springtime against the sultry, sun-drenched intensity of the other accords.

Finally, the base settles into a grounding embrace of woods, adding a smooth, polished depth that lingers like the golden light of a Majorcan sunset. These woods are not dark or heavy but resinous and sun-warmed, evoking the aged beams of old fincas (rural estates), the scent of pine groves clinging to the cliffsides, and the warmth of sun-baked earth. They provide a sensual, long-lasting trail that ensures this fragrance remains an unforgettable presence on the skin.

Majorca, the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is a place of stunning contrasts and vibrant history. It is known for its lush landscapes, dramatic coastal cliffs, Moorish heritage, and bustling markets bursting with fragrant flowers and sun-ripened fruits. The rose and jasmine reflect the island’s romantic, intoxicating floral abundance, while the green aromatics mirror the verdant olive groves, citrus orchards, and wild herbs that scent the warm air. The almond blossom is a direct tribute to Majorca’s famous almond trees, which have been cultivated on the island for centuries. And the woods evoke the timeless, sun-warmed landscapes of the Balearics, where the land itself seems to radiate warmth and history.

This fragrance is a portrait of Majorca in scent—lush, seductive, and rich with natural beauty, a true olfactory escape to one of the Mediterranean’s most alluring destinations.

 

Corfu :

The fragrance of Corfu is an exotic, sultry dream, an intoxicating blend of opulent oriental florals intertwined with smooth, sun-warmed woods. It opens with a bold hyacinth note, immediately arresting—its green, almost spicy facets bursting forth like the first breath of spring after a Mediterranean storm. The hyacinth’s waxy, pollen-laden sweetness is richly floral yet edged with a touch of sharpness, reminiscent of the lush, untamed landscapes of Corfu, where wildflowers bloom in riotous profusion along the hillsides.

At the heart of this composition, rose, lily of the valley, and ylang-ylang weave together in an intricate tapestry of scent. The rose here is deep and velvety, its honeyed warmth blooming in the heat, lending a sense of timeless elegance and romance. This is no pale, delicate rose; instead, it is lush, almost wine-like, the embodiment of Corfu’s rich, multi-layered history—a land where Venetian, French, and British influences have mingled for centuries. The lily of the valley, in contrast, brings a soft, dewy clarity, its crystalline floralcy adding a touch of innocence and freshness to counterbalance the sultry weight of the heavier notes. Then comes ylang-ylang, its banana-like, creamy sweetness unfurling in slow, golden waves, lending the scent an unmistakable tropical sensuality. This floral trio, both refined and intoxicating, feels as if it were carried on a warm island breeze, kissed by sea spray and sun-drenched skin.

The base is a tapestry of smooth, resinous woods, grounding the perfume in a quiet, sun-baked depth. These woods do not dominate; rather, they softly cradle the florals, providing a warm and polished finish that lingers on the skin like the golden glow of dusk. Their smoothness is reminiscent of ancient olive groves and the dense cypress forests that dot Corfu’s landscape, evoking the very essence of the island itself.

Located in the Ionian Sea, Corfu is a Greek island that has long been a crossroads of cultures, its history marked by centuries of Venetian, French, and British rule. Unlike the arid, sun-scorched islands of the Aegean, Corfu is lush and green, its landscapes rich with wildflowers, towering cypress trees, and dense groves of citrus and olive trees. The perfume captures this unique blend of exotic beauty and Mediterranean refinement, choosing florals that feel both sensual and mysterious, yet still deeply tied to the land’s natural elegance. Though compounded by French chemists, the essences were sourced directly from Corfu, ensuring that every facet of the fragrance is imbued with the true, intoxicating spirit of this island paradise.

Barbados:

Barbados unfolds like a slow walk through a lush, tropical forest at dawn, where the air is thick with the mingling of cool greenery, opulent florals, and the soft, sun-kissed sweetness of ripe fruit. This dark green, cool forest cologne is not simply a fragrance—it is an invitation to explore the island’s intoxicating natural splendor, where the salty Caribbean breeze meets the verdant jungle, and flowers bloom in riotous profusion beneath a golden sun.

At first, there is a whisper of delicate fruits, a fleeting hint of something bright, juicy, and almost effervescent, like a breeze carrying the scent of guava or a freshly sliced, dew-kissed starfruit. This opening is soft and subtle, not overly sweet, but present just enough to suggest the abundance of Barbados’s fertile land and tropical bounty. These fruit notes add a natural vibrancy that enlivens the composition, acting as a bridge between the freshness of the greenery and the depth of the florals.

Then, the florals emerge—rich, white, and unapologetically heady. First comes neroli, the distilled essence of orange blossoms, bright yet slightly bitter, with a delicate honeyed edge that contrasts beautifully with the darker green elements of the fragrance. The neroli in this blend likely originates from bitter orange groves in the Caribbean, where the sun-drenched climate enhances its radiant floralcy while preserving its crisp, green facets.

Next, tuberose—the queen of the tropics—spills into the heart of the fragrance, creamy, narcotic, and impossibly lush. Unlike delicate florals, tuberose is intensely opulent, almost buttery, with a seductive depth that is at once floral and nearly carnal. This note evokes the wild, untamed beauty of Barbados, where gardens grow in wild abundance, and the air itself hums with fragrance after a warm rain. In perfumery, tuberose is often softened with synthetic elements like methyl anthranilate or hedione, which lift and brighten its natural creaminess, preventing it from becoming overpoweringly heavy.

As the tuberose begins to settle, jasmine unfurls, deep and velvety, with an unmistakable sultriness that clings to the skin like the lingering warmth of the Caribbean sun. The jasmine used here is likely grandiflorum, with its more delicate, tea-like nuances, rather than the heavier, indolic sambac variety. However, the indolic quality—a natural compound that lends jasmine its slightly animalic, sensual depth—is still present, creating a floral tapestry that is both intoxicating and endlessly alluring.

Grounding these luminous florals is the heart of the fragrance—a deep, green, forested base that evokes the lush, rain-drenched landscapes of Barbados’s interior. The cool, dark green elements could stem from notes of galbanum, vetiver, or oakmoss, all of which contribute to an earthy, mossy freshness that tempers the headiness of the florals. Oakmoss, in particular, adds a velvety, forest-floor richness, while vetiver—a root-based essence, possibly sourced from the Caribbean—brings a dry, smoky, grassy element that keeps the composition from becoming overly sweet.

Barbados, a Caribbean paradise known for its pristine beaches, fertile landscapes, and colonial history, is often referred to as the "Jewel of the Caribbean." But beyond the tourist-laden coastlines, the island harbors a wilder, greener heart—rainforests, botanical gardens overflowing with exotic blooms, and fields of sugarcane swaying under the tropical sun.

The lush florals—neroli, tuberose, and jasmine—reflect the island’s abundant flora, where heady tropical flowers thrive in the warmth of the Caribbean climate. The delicate fruit nuances suggest Barbados’s history of cultivating exotic fruits, from citrus groves to guava orchards. Meanwhile, the deep green, forest-like elements mirror the rolling hills and dense, rain-nourished interiors of the island, where nature reigns supreme.

This fragrance is a portrait of Barbados in scent—sensual, untamed, and dripping with tropical abundance. It is the whisper of fragrant petals on the humid night air, the touch of cool forest shade against sun-warmed skin, the essence of an island alive with beauty and mystery.

Stromboli:

Stromboli is a fragrance that unfolds like the volcanic island itself—dynamic, untamed, and brimming with contrasts. It begins with a surge of warm, musky woods, like the smoldering embers of a fire hidden beneath layers of cooling lava rock. The scent is rich, grounding, and slightly primal, evoking the earthy, sunbaked terrain of Stromboli, where the scent of charred wood mingles with the salty sea breeze.

As the initial warmth settles, a vibrant, velvety floral heart erupts, like wildflowers blooming in the island’s volcanic soil. There is something unmistakably ripe and young at the same time—a freshness that suggests an untouched landscape, but with an intensity that feels ancient and eternal. This contrast might come from the interplay between natural floral absolutes and carefully chosen synthetic aroma chemicals, enhancing the lushness while ensuring the scent remains airy rather than overly sweet.

The exotic woods at the base could include sandalwood, guaiacwood, or oud, each lending a distinctive warmth and depth. Sandalwood, possibly sourced from Mysore, India, is revered for its creamy, soft richness, balancing the slightly smoky, resinous quality of guaiacwood. The addition of synthetic musks, such as Galaxolide or Ambrettolide, expands the warmth, making the fragrance feel like an enveloping second skin—clean, sensual, and effortlessly sophisticated.

The floral notes likely feature ylang-ylang, jasmine, or perhaps even carnation, bringing a spicy, almost clove-like edge that mimics the island’s wild unpredictability. The inclusion of hedione—a synthetic molecule that enhances the radiance of florals—might give the bouquet a luminous, airy quality, preventing it from becoming too dense or cloying. This balance allows the fragrance to transition seamlessly from daylight to twilight, just as Stromboli itself transforms from a serene Mediterranean retreat to an island of fiery spectacle under the night sky.

Stromboli is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, north of Sicily, known for its persistent volcanic activity—a place where fire meets earth, and nature is in constant, raw motion. The fragrance’s musky woods symbolize the island’s rugged, ashen landscape, while the radiant florals capture the surprising fertility that follows volcanic eruptions, as the land becomes rich with minerals that nurture new life.

Stromboli is famous for its volcano, often called the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean,” which has been in near-continuous eruption for over 2,000 years. This fragrance embodies that duality of destruction and renewal, the meeting of fire and flora, warmth and freshness, danger and beauty. It is a scent as untamed and unforgettable as the island itself—a tribute to the raw power and mystery of Stromboli.

Skye:

Skye unfolds like a breath of Highland air—brisk, green, and untamed, carrying the crisp scent of fresh-cut grass across windswept meadows. The fragrance opens with an invigorating burst of aldehydes, those shimmering molecules that lend a fragrance a sense of pure, airy brightness, much like the first light of dawn touching the Isle of Skye. These aldehydes create a sensation of movement, mimicking the salty gusts that sweep across the island’s rugged cliffs and rolling hills, carrying the scent of wild heather and violet-strewn moorlands.

Then, a soft, powdery floralcy emerges—violets, delicate yet persistent, with their earthy, slightly sweet aroma, reminiscent of dewdrops clinging to petals in the morning mist. The violets used here might be from Parma, Italy, where their unique soft, candy-like sweetness is more pronounced than those found in other regions. Their scent is enhanced by ionones, a group of aroma chemicals that give violets their characteristic powdery-woody note, amplifying their presence in the composition while keeping them airy rather than heavy.

Interwoven with the violet is heather, an unmistakable symbol of the Scottish Highlands. Its scent is both grassy and slightly honeyed, with an herbal edge that evokes Skye’s rolling, untamed landscapes. The inclusion of synthetic green notes, such as cis-3-Hexenol, adds an almost photorealistic quality, replicating the scent of leaves crushed beneath one’s fingertips. This accord not only enhances the fresh grassiness but also connects the composition to the very essence of the island’s windswept fields and moorlands.

The base is light, clean, and slightly woody, perhaps hinting at soft mosses or the pale, silken touch of orris root, which lends a velvety texture. Orris root, derived from the rhizomes of the iris plant and aged for several years before use, adds a whisper of floral-woody elegance, much like the quiet, enduring beauty of Skye itself.

The Isle of Skye, part of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, is known for its dramatic landscapes—misty mountains, rolling green hills, and heather-strewn moorlands that stretch as far as the eye can see. The notes chosen for this fragrance reflect the island’s fresh, untamed beauty, from the breezy aldehydes that mirror the bracing coastal winds to the soft violets and heather that capture its moody, romantic essence.

Skye is famous for its ever-changing weather, where mist and sunshine blend seamlessly in an ethereal dance, much like the shifting nature of this fragrance. It is a scent that feels as new as morning—crisp, green, and full of possibility—just like stepping onto the rugged terrain of the Isle of Skye and breathing in its boundless, untamed spirit.

Moorea:

Moorea is a fragrance that whispers of hidden secrets, an invitation to an island world where lush florals meet warm, resinous spice, evoking the timeless, sun-drenched mystery of French Polynesia. The scent is dry, sophisticated, and lingering, a veil of exotic flowers woven with a delicate trail of incense, much like the golden glow of twilight over the turquoise waters of Moorea.

The first breath is a cascade of florals—radiant, creamy, and hypnotic. Tiare flower, the signature bloom of Polynesia, blooms at the heart of the fragrance with its unmistakable blend of gardenia-like sweetness and heady tropical opulence. Unlike gardenia, which can sometimes be overpowering, tiare has a more refined and airy character, balancing the richness with a delicate freshness. This floral note is reinforced by salicylates, naturally occurring aroma compounds that give it a warm, sunlit effect, making it feel as though the flower has been basking under a golden sky.

Alongside the tiare, ylang-ylang from the Comoros Islands unfurls its exotic beauty. This deeply sensual flower carries hints of ripe banana, spice, and creamy petals, its complexity heightened by benzyl acetate, an aroma chemical responsible for the narcotic, almost fruity aspects of the flower. The Comorian variety is particularly prized for its balance of brightness and depth, making it an ideal complement to the more pristine sweetness of the tiare.

Then, a whisper of jasmine emerges, silky and luminous, its unmistakable honeyed undertones weaving seamlessly through the bouquet. Jasmine grandiflorum from Grasse is often considered the finest, with its elegant, slightly leathery depth that contrasts with the more indolic, animalic variety found in hotter climates like India or Egypt. The French chemists who compounded this fragrance likely chose Grasse jasmine for its smooth, refined character, enhancing the fragrance’s sophisticated nature.

Beneath the florals, a veil of incense rises—dry, spicy, and softly resinous. This is not the heavy, smoky incense of church censer bells, but rather a delicate, almost powdery warmth, perhaps drawn from benzoin or olibanum. These resins, used for centuries in perfumery, add a sublime, slightly vanillic depth, their sweet, amber-like quality melting into the florals like the last rays of a setting sun. Labdanum, with its deep, balsamic warmth, could be enhancing this effect, lending a faint whisper of skin-like sensuality, the scent lingering on the air like an intimate secret.

The dry-down is smooth, warm, and endlessly alluring, as the florals and incense settle into a refined, lingering bouquet that feels both airy and grounded. Perhaps a touch of sandalwood, sourced from New Caledonia, brings a creamy, woody base, its soft, slightly spicy quality rounding out the composition with a whisper of mystery.

Moorea, a volcanic island in French Polynesia, is often described as a hidden paradise, where towering green peaks rise from a crystalline lagoon, its landscape alive with lush tropical blooms and the scent of warm island breezes. The fragrance captures this ethereal beauty, with its radiant florals reflecting the island’s abundant flora, and the soft incense evoking the sacred traditions of Polynesian culture.

Moorea is famous for its tiare flowers, often woven into leis and monoi oil, which are intrinsic to its identity. The choice of incense speaks to the island’s air of mystery and spiritual depth, much like the sacred Polynesian marae (temples), where fragrant resins have long been burned in ritual. This fragrance is an olfactory journey through the island’s secret pathways—a composition that lingers, inviting you to discover its depths, just as Moorea itself reveals its magic to those who seek it.

 

Fate of the Fragrances:

The My Islands Cologne collection was a sensory journey, an olfactory passport to six of the world's most evocative islands. Each fragrance was compounded on and imported from the very places they represented, ensuring their scents were steeped in the mystique, beauty, and essence of these distant shores. From the lush tropics of Majorca to the smoky allure of Stromboli, the collection offered a unique connection to nature, geography, and artistry, merging fragrance with visual storytelling through the works of Hahn Vidal, one of the world's foremost floral painters. The packaging itself—an avant-garde creation by Massimo Vignelli, one of the most celebrated designers of the 20th century—was a marvel of design, with frosted, etched-glass bottles arranged in a six-tiered, space-saving display, housed within hexagonal silver and black boxes.

Each scent embodied its namesake island with precision, a "liquid message" infused with its spirit. Corfu, with its warm, sultry oriental florals, wove together the intoxicating aroma of hyacinth, rose, muguet, and ylang-ylang, softened by a smooth, woody base. This Mediterranean-inspired composition reflected the island’s blend of lush landscapes, ancient history, and a scent as rich as its mythology.

Majorca, by contrast, was a lush, heady floral, pulsating with the pungency of natural rose and jasmine. These voluptuous blooms were entwined with precious green aromatics, likely inspired by the almond trees, wild rosemary, and sun-soaked vegetation of the Balearic island. It was a fragrance designed to turn heads, to leave a lingering imprint on the air, much like Majorca itself—a land of golden coasts and vibrant, passionate beauty.

Stromboli, named for the volcanic island off the coast of Sicily, captured both fire and seduction in its composition. This fragrance erupted with warm musks and exotic woods, giving it a deep, smoldering base, while vibrant, velvety florals flickered through its heart. It was a scent both youthful and mysterious, as fitting for an evening’s intrigue as for a sunlit afternoon along the island’s black sand beaches.

Skye, the mist-laden, windswept jewel of Scotland, was as green as fresh-cut grass, as soft as heather, violets, and the rolling meadows of its rugged landscape. The scent was an ode to nature’s gentler side, crisp and dewy, yet tinged with an earthy, grounded beauty. The use of breezy aldehydes gave the impression of open air and cool morning mist, while the floral notes settled like a whisper of wild blossoms carried on the Highland breeze.

Moorea, the tropical paradise of French Polynesia, was a fragrance of hidden secrets and whispered romance. Its sophisticated four-floral heart was warmed by a delicate thread of incense, a nod to the sacred Polynesian traditions where fragrant resins were burned in rituals. A dry, lingering bouquet, Moorea’s scent was as intoxicating as the island’s lush jungles and sunlit lagoons, a fragrance that unfolded slowly, revealing its depth over time.

Finally, Barbados brought a hint of delicate fruits, its dark green, deeply floral composition mingling neroli, tuberose, and jasmine into a sumptuous, tropical blend. This scent was as vibrant and untamed as the island itself, capturing the breeze through blooming poinciana trees and the lush, fragrant nights under the Caribbean stars.

The My Islands collection was more than a series of colognes—it was a multi-sensory experience, a merging of art, geography, and perfumery at its finest. Every bottle was a story in scent, a journey to distant shores, and a tribute to the places that inspired them. From the bold romance of Majorca’s roses to the wisps of incense curling through Moorea’s hidden pathways, each fragrance was an invitation to explore the essence of these six extraordinary islands.

The My Islands line of colognes, created as an exotic and luxurious collection of scents for women, remains a rarity in the perfume world, especially when compared to its more well-known counterpart, the Nine Flags line of masculine colognes. Despite their elaborate designs and unique compositions, the My Islands fragrances never quite gained the same commercial success. Perhaps due to their bold, tropical character and the exotic nature of their ingredients, these perfumes were niche in appeal, limiting their broad market reach. The My Islands scents were visually stunning, with their frosted etched-glass bottles designed in a tiered display by the renowned Massimo Vignelli—a striking feature that set them apart from other perfumes on the market. However, the allure of the fragrance itself, deeply tied to the specific islands they represented, was not enough to propel the line to widespread popularity.

It is believed that the My Islands line was pulled from the market shortly after its initial launch, possibly due to underwhelming sales or the highly specific appeal of each scent, which may not have resonated with a mass audience. Despite this, old stock continued to be sold into the mid-1970s, but at greatly reduced prices—a clear indication that the fragrances were struggling to find an enduring market. This reduction in price marked the line's decline, with the perfumes likely being phased out in favor of more popular and commercially viable products. While some of the Nine Flags fragrances, with their more universal appeal and masculine themes, remained steady sellers, the My Islands colognes seemed to fade into obscurity, making them extremely rare and sought after by collectors today.

The rarity of the My Islands line has only heightened its appeal in modern times, with collectors and fragrance enthusiasts often seeking out these unique, island-inspired perfumes that never had the chance to reach their full potential. Their limited lifespan, combined with their elegant packaging and distinctive formulations, has turned them into coveted pieces of fragrance history, representing a time when perfumers were experimenting with new, evocative ways to capture the essence of far-flung destinations in a bottle.

CLICK HERE TO FIND THE MY ISLANDS COLOGNES BY COLTON