Les Parfums de Suzy

Les Parfums de Suzy was founded by Madame Suzy Michaud at the prestigious address of 5 rue de la Paix in Paris, a location synonymous with luxury and high fashion. Before venturing into the world of perfumery, Madame Michaud made her mark as a talented milliner in Paris, crafting exquisite hats that catered to the city's fashionable elite.

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Madame Michaud expanded her creative pursuits by launching a collection of fragrances under the Les Parfums de Suzy brand. These perfumes quickly gained recognition for their elegance and distinctiveness, resonating with both Parisian women and international audiences.

The brand’s association with Macy’s, one of the most renowned department stores in the United States, further solidified its reputation. Through this partnership, Les Parfums de Suzy became accessible to a broader clientele, blending Parisian chic with American sophistication.

The perfumes of Madame de Suzy:

• 1939 Ecarlate de Suzy (deep, sultry and rich wine-like sparkling, spicy sweet perfume) perfume was still being sold in 1947.
• 1941 Golden Laughter (bright tropical floral bouquet)
• 1943 Bandbox (crisp, tangy, fresh perfume) perfume was still being sold in 1947.
• 1944 Madrigal (uplifting and fresh) perfume was still being sold in 1947.

Ecarlate de Suzy and Golden Laughter

"Écarlate" was not just a fragrance; it was the centerpiece of an entire toiletry line created by Suzy. This luxurious collection extended beyond perfume to include dusting powder, rouge, face powder, and lipstick, allowing women to immerse themselves in the brand's distinctive allure. The Écarlate line embodied the elegance and sophistication that Suzy was known for, offering a cohesive range of products that complemented each other beautifully.

The appeal of Écarlate was enduring, with the perfume still available in 1947, years after its initial release. Its lasting presence in the market is a testament to the quality and desirability of Suzy's creations, which captured the essence of femininity and glamour in every product. The Écarlate line became a symbol of the brand's dedication to beauty and luxury, ensuring its place in the world of high-end perfumery and cosmetics.

The deluxe figural bottles for the perfumes "Ecarlate de Suzy" and "Golden Laughter" were exquisite creations manufactured by Baccarat, a name synonymous with luxury and craftsmanship. These bottles, affectionately known as "Hat Bottles," were offered in three distinct sizes: 1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, and 1/4 ounce, each meticulously designed to reflect the elegance of the fragrances they contained.

The 1-ounce bottle stands at approximately 4 3/8 inches tall. The glass is delicately molded with the words "Ecarlate de Suzy" or "Golden Laughter de Suzy," which are then highlighted in either red enamel for Ecarlate or green enamel for Golden Laughter. A small glass inner stopper ensures the fragrance is securely sealed, topped by a hat-shaped glass cap that adds a whimsical yet sophisticated touch.

The 1/2-ounce bottle, slightly smaller at around 4 inches tall, mirrors the design of its larger counterpart. It also features the carefully molded and enameled branding, along with the inner glass stopper and hat-shaped cap, maintaining the same level of detail and refinement.

The smallest of the trio, the 1/4-ounce bottle, stands at approximately 3 1/4 inches tall. Though more compact, it retains the elegant design elements that make the Hat Bottles so distinctive.

In addition to these Baccarat bottles, the fragrance was also available in a charming figural mini bottle. Unlike the larger versions, this mini bottle was not made by Baccarat and stands just 1 3/4 inches tall. It features a plastic screw cap, offering a more accessible yet still delightful presentation of the Suzy fragrances.

The more affordable, non-figural versions of the "Ecarlate de Suzy" and "Golden Laughter" perfumes were housed in simpler, non-Baccarat flacons. These bottles, though lacking the intricate design of the figural versions, still embodied the elegance and sophistication associated with Suzy's fragrances.

The Eau de Parfum splash, in particular, was presented in a bottle that stood 4 1/4 inches tall. While it did not boast the elaborate craftsmanship of the deluxe figural bottles, this version offered a more accessible option for those who appreciated the fragrances but sought a more straightforward presentation. The design, though modest, remained true to the refined aesthetic of the Suzy brand, ensuring that even the more economical options were still a testament to quality and style.

"Golden Laughter" was also presented in a distinctive and substantial bottle, reflecting the luxurious nature of the fragrance. This version came in a large, heavy square bottle made of clear crystal, featuring a striking cylindrical glass center. The bottle was topped with a chunky square glass stopper, adding to its imposing and elegant design. The craftsmanship suggests it may have been made from Japanese crystal, known for its clarity and weight.

The bottle's neck was particularly notable, with an eight-sided design and four visible seams, contributing to its geometric allure. Standing at an impressive 5 3/4 inches tall and measuring 2 1/4 inches square, the bottle was both a visual and tactile statement. The front of the bottle was adorned with lime green serigraphy, proudly displaying the words "Suzy's Golden Laughter," which added a modern, vibrant touch to the otherwise classic and sophisticated presentation. This bottle was not just a container but a reflection of the elegance and joy that "Golden Laughter" sought to convey.

In the realm of luxury fragrances, Madame Suzy Michaud seamlessly bridged her expertise in Parisian millinery with the world of perfumery, as reflected in various notable publications of the 1940s. In Drug and Cosmetic Industry (Volume 46, 1940), Suzy introduced her debut perfume, "Ecarlate de Suzy," an exquisite fragrance that captured the essence of her millinery craft. The perfume was elegantly encased in a crystal bottle, crowned with a signature "Suzy hat," and displayed on a scarlet satin foundation before a small mirror, creating a charming and visually striking presentation. The fragrance was available in three sizes: 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz, and was distributed by S.P.F. of America, Inc., marking Suzy's entry into the American market.

By 1943, Suzy's creativity had expanded with the introduction of a new scent called "Bandbox," which was featured in Harper's Bazaar. The publication highlighted the fragrance's sleek crystal bottles, perfect for the spring season and complementing the fresh feeling of a new Easter bonnet. The light, crisp scent was designed to evoke the same pristine charm as a perfectly preserved hatbox, offering a touch of youthful vitality and a hint of provocative allure.

In 1945, Harper's Bazaar explored the challenges of selecting a fragrance that matched not only a woman's personality but also the temperament of her companion. The magazine pointed to "Golden Laughter" by Suzy as an ideal choice for the easy-going, fun-loving man. Described as a warm and winning bouquet of light flower-scents, "Golden Laughter" was portrayed as a fragrance that could capture the lingering attention of a man who might otherwise be hard to pin down, blending lightheartedness with an irresistible charm.

The New Yorker in 1946 brought attention to "Madrigal," another offering by Suzy. Despite its French-sounding name, "Madrigal" was actually crafted in the United States, embodying a fresh and feminine allure. Harper's Bazaar also praised "Madrigal," describing it as a lingering scent with a distinctive lilt, available at $8 for a 1/2 oz bottle. Suzy's expanding fragrance line was further highlighted by the New Yorker, which noted the extra-strength Eau de Parfum versions of "Ecarlate de Suzy," a deep and sultry scent, "Golden Laughter," likened to sunshine in a bottle, and "Bandbox," celebrated for its crisp and fresh notes.

Finally, by 1947, Harper's Bazaar once again featured "Ecarlate de Suzy," this time emphasizing its lively character and unique packaging in a millinery dummy bottle topped with a hat. Available for $15 at Saks Fifth Avenue, the fragrance stood out not only for its scent but also for its whimsical and stylish presentation, continuing Suzy's tradition of marrying fashion and fragrance in a way that captivated the imagination of her clientele.