Catalyst by Halston c1993

Catalyst by Halston is a perfume that was launched in 1993. Halston, a brand known for its elegance and classic American style, introduced Catalyst as a modern fragrance designed to capture the energy and vibrancy of the early '90s. 

 Catalyst's introduction in the early '90s reflects Halston's commitment to evolving with the times while maintaining its signature sophistication and luxurious appeal.

The company, Halston Borghese Inc, was formed in 1992 by four brothers from Saudi Arabia, who bought the Halston & Borghese brands from Revlon, launched the newest Halston perfume, Catalyst in May 1993. It was said to be the first heavily supported Halston launch since 1976. At the time, there was some talk about reviving the Halston fashion line. 

"Halston's first fragrance (the classic Halston for Women, launched in 1975) was the cutting edge of the perfumer's art, both in its packaging and its scent," said David Horner, Halston Borghese Inc.'s president for North America. "Now Catalyst follows as one step ahead of the rest."

Catalyst by Halston was launched in May 1993 by Halston Borghese Inc., a company formed in 1992 by four brothers from Saudi Arabia who acquired the Halston and Borghese brands from Revlon. This launch marked a significant moment as it was the first heavily supported Halston fragrance release since 1976.

Key Points about Catalyst and Halston Borghese Inc.:

• Formation of Halston Borghese Inc.: In 1992, four brothers from Saudi Arabia bought the Halston and Borghese brands from Revlon, forming Halston Borghese Inc.

• Launch of Catalyst: Catalyst was introduced in May 1993 as the newest Halston perfume.

• Significance: This was the first major Halston fragrance launch since the classic Halston for Women in 1975.

• Company Vision: There was discussion about reviving the Halston fashion line alongside the fragrance launch.

• Comments from Leadership: David Horner, president for North America of Halston Borghese Inc., highlighted Catalyst as a continuation of Halston's innovative legacy, stating, "Halston's first fragrance (the classic Halston for Women, launched in 1975) was the cutting edge of the perfumer's art, both in its packaging and its scent. Now Catalyst follows as one step ahead of the rest."

Catalyst represented a blend of tradition and innovation, reflecting Halston's enduring influence in the world of perfumery and fashion.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? Catalyst is classified as a fruity floral fragrance for women. The floral fragrance has top notes of jonquil and rose with mid-notes of jasmine absolute, lily of the valley, violet and herbs and bottom notes of musk, vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli.

• Top notes: Bulgarian rose otto, Egyptian jasmine absolute, galbanum, jonquil, gardenia, peach, hyacinth,  and Italian bergamot oil
• Middle notes: blackcurrant bud, violet, French carnation, tuberose, French orange blossom, narcissus, orchid,  chamomile, herbs, lily-of-the-valley, French orris root 
• Base notes: oakmoss, Indonesian patchouli, Bourbon vetiver, Mysore sandalwood, amber, musk, vanilla and Texan cedar

"Although it's traditionally been difficult and expensive to distill pure essence of jonquil, making it a rare basis for scent, Catalyst's perfumers mastered the process. Catalyst combines jonquil, otto of rose, tuberose, and jasmine absolute top notes with herbs, muguet, violet and chamomile mid notes. Musk, sandalwood, and vetiver blend as base notes to create a rich floral scent with an enduring character. Catalyst is linear and long-lasting," said Horner.

Horner highlights that Catalyst is a linear and long-lasting fragrance, which means it maintains its rich floral character consistently throughout its wear. The combination of rare and luxurious floral top notes with the herbal and delicate mid notes, and the grounding, warm base notes creates a sophisticated and enduring scent.

The top notes provide an initial burst of floral and fruity freshness, combining the elegance of rose and jasmine with the green, slightly resinous scent of galbanum, and the sweet, juicy aroma of peach and bergamot. 

The middle notes add depth and complexity with a blend of florals like violet, carnation, and tuberose, complemented by the green and slightly fruity notes of blackcurrant bud and chamomile. Orange blossom and narcissus bring a fresh and slightly citrusy edge, while orris root adds a powdery, earthy quality. 

The base notes provide a warm, grounding foundation with earthy, woody, and slightly sweet elements. Oakmoss and patchouli offer a deep, mossy scent, while vetiver and cedar add woodiness. Sandalwood, amber, musk, and vanilla contribute to a rich, creamy, and slightly sweet finish, making the fragrance long-lasting and memorable.

Catalyst by Halston is a sophisticated and multi-faceted fragrance that combines the timeless beauty of floral notes with the depth and warmth of woody and musky base notes. Its complex composition makes it a versatile scent suitable for various occasions, embodying elegance and modernity.

Bottles:

The bottles were inspired by the silhouettes found in Halton's archives, which were donated to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). Marc Rosen designed the bottles to have a flowing, cape-like shape. The packaging is reminiscent of Halston's signature black silk cape lined with fuschia. The Three bottle designs: flowing cape, gentle flare of a skirt, and a draped one-shoulder dress. "Catalyst is the interpretation of Halston's design philosophy - classic simplicity and elegance," said Horner.

Catalyst by Halston not only features a distinctive and complex scent but also boasts packaging that pays homage to the iconic designs of Halston. The bottles were inspired by silhouettes found in Halston's archives, which were donated to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). Renowned designer Marc Rosen crafted the bottles to reflect Halston's design philosophy of classic simplicity and elegance.

The careful attention to design details in the Catalyst bottles reinforces the connection between Halston's legendary fashion designs and the fragrance, creating a cohesive and luxurious experience for the consumer. This blend of sophisticated scent and elegant packaging underscores Halston's timeless appeal in both the fashion and fragrance industries.

Catalyst was available in the following:

• 0.125 oz Parfum mini
• 0.25 oz Parfum  (retailed for $75)
• 1 oz Parfum (retailed for $250)
• 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette Spray (retailed for $38.50)
• 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette Spray (retailed for $55)
• 3.4 oz Body Lotion
• 6.7 oz Body Lotion
• 3.4 oz Bath & Shower Gel
• 6.7 oz Bath & Shower Gel

Fate of the Fragrance

Still sold in 2010.