Parfums de Choisy

Parfums de Choisy, the perfume company from Paris, indeed launched a small range of perfumes during the 1930s. Despite sharing a similar name with Choisy le Roy, the famous glassmakers, these two entities were distinct in their products and industries. Parfums de Choisy capitalized on Paris's reputation as a center for luxury and fashion, offering fragrances that likely reflected the trends and styles of the time. This period marked a vibrant era for French perfumery, with many houses competing to create distinctive scents that appealed to the fashionable elite.

The perfumes of Choisy:

• 1932 Les Premieres Fleurs
• 1933 Reviens
• 1933 Au Paradis
• 1933 Pour la Danse
• 1935 Gardenia
• 1935 Jasmin
• 1935 Lilas

Les Premières Fleurs (1932)

The name translates to The First Flowers, evoking the delicate scent of spring's earliest blooms. This fragrance likely captured the fresh and tender essence of floral buds, perhaps a blend of green notes like galbanum or lily of the valley paired with soft florals such as hyacinth, violet, and freesia. The composition may have been designed to celebrate the innocence and optimism of nature's rebirth.

Reviens (1933)

Reviens, meaning Come Back in French, suggests a romantic and nostalgic character. The fragrance may have been an alluring blend of warm and comforting notes, possibly featuring amber, musk, or a touch of powdery iris. Floral accents like rose or orange blossom might have added a sensual depth, making it a signature for evening wear or intimate occasions.

Au Paradis (1933)

Translated as In Paradise, this perfume likely aimed to encapsulate an ethereal and idyllic aroma. A fragrance with such a name might have incorporated exotic florals like ylang-ylang or tuberose, enhanced by luscious fruit notes such as peach or pear, and balanced with a creamy base of sandalwood or vanilla. The result would transport the wearer to a serene, heavenly place.

Pour la Danse (1933)

The name For the Dance suggests a playful, elegant, and lively fragrance suitable for social gatherings or evenings out. It may have featured effervescent top notes like bergamot or mandarin, a heart of white florals such as jasmine and gardenia, and a soft, powdery base of tonka bean or benzoin to evoke the glamour of ballroom dances.

Gardenia (1935)

This fragrance would have been a tribute to the lush, creamy gardenia flower, known for its rich, intoxicating aroma. Likely a soliflore (a fragrance focused on a single flower), Gardenia might have included supporting notes like green leaves, a hint of citrus, or a warm, musky undertone to accentuate the flower’s natural beauty.

Jasmin (1935)

A classic and timeless fragrance, Jasmin would have showcased the opulent and sensual qualities of jasmine blossoms. Its composition may have been heady and romantic, potentially paired with narcotic white florals like tuberose or orange blossom and softened with woody or amber notes for a deep and lingering effect.

Lilas (1935)

Lilas translates to Lilac, a flower celebrated for its soft and powdery floral aroma. The perfume might have captured the delicate and slightly green scent of lilac blossoms, possibly combined with heliotrope or mimosa to enhance its sweetness, and a musky or woody base to add depth. It would have evoked the fleeting beauty of lilacs in full bloom during late spring.

Each of these fragrances reflects the olfactory artistry of the 1930s, a period when perfumers focused on creating evocative and emotional scents, often inspired by nature and romance.

Bottles:

Parfums de Choisy unveiled several iconic fragrances during the 1930s, each housed in exquisite bottles crafted by renowned glassmakers. "Reviens," a notable creation, graced an 8 oz Baccarat flacon, showcasing the brand's commitment to luxury and elegance. 

Meanwhile, "Pour la Danse" was presented in a smaller 2 oz opaque rose-colored crystal flacon, also crafted by Baccarat, emphasizing its delicate and refined nature. Another standout, "Au Paradis," was encased in a 5 oz bottle designed by René Lalique, known for its intricate "Flowering Branches" motif, adding an artistic touch to the fragrance presentation. 

Lastly, "Premiere Fleurs" distinguished itself in a bottle crafted by Cristalleries de Nancy, further underscoring Parfums de Choisy's dedication to pairing exquisite scents with equally stunning packaging, thus solidifying its legacy in the world of perfumery.

These details highlight the exquisite craftsmanship and luxury associated with these perfumes, each housed in bottles crafted by renowned glassmakers such as Baccarat, René Lalique, and Cristalleries de Nancy. Each bottle design likely contributed to the allure and prestige of the perfumes they contained, reflecting the artistic sensibilities of their respective eras.

Parfums de Choisy, despite its brief existence and mysterious fade from prominence before and during the wartime years, left behind a lasting legacy primarily through its exquisite perfume bottles. These bottles, crafted by esteemed glassmakers like Baccarat, René Lalique, and Cristalleries de Nancy, exemplify the brand's commitment to luxury and aesthetic refinement. Each bottle not only housed a fragrance but also served as a work of art, showcasing intricate designs and expert craftsmanship typical of the era. Though the company's operational history remains scant, its contribution to the artistry and allure of perfumery endures through these meticulously crafted vessels, which continue to fascinate collectors and enthusiasts alike.