Azzaro by Loris Azzaro c1970

Azzaro by Loris Azzaro: launched in 1970, some sites state it was launched in 1975 (distributed by CosmEurop). The fragrance is also known as Azzaro Couture (Le Parfum-Couture de Loris Azzaro). Created by Maurice Thibond.

"Azzaro — the slightly wicked evening perfume."

 Azzaro by Loris Azzaro, is a fragrance that's been around for quite some time. Indeed, there can be discrepancies in launch dates, as different sources might provide varying information, but Maurice Thibond is indeed credited with its creation. It's fascinating how fragrances can evolve over time and sometimes take on different names or variations.

Loris Azzaro was an influential French fashion designer known for his glamorous and luxurious designs, particularly in the realm of evening wear and glamorous cocktail dresses. He was born in Tunisia in 1933 and later moved to Paris to pursue his career in fashion. Azzaro gained prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, a period marked by opulence and excess in fashion, and his designs epitomized the bold and sexy aesthetic of that era.

Aside from his fashion line, Azzaro also ventured into the world of fragrance, creating iconic scents such as Azzaro Pour Homme and Azzaro by Loris Azzaro, which have become classics in the perfume industry.

Loris Azzaro's legacy lives on through his timeless designs and enduring fragrances, which continue to inspire fashion and fragrance enthusiasts around the world.

Fragrance Composition:

Notes at a glance:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a fresh mossy aldehydic chypre fragrance for women. It begins with a fruity, aldehydic top, followed by a fruity floral heart, resting on a mossy, balsamic base.

• Top notes: aldehydes, hyacinth, gardenia, coriander, fruity complex, peach
• Middle notes: orris root, tuberose, Grasse jasmine, Comoros ylang-ylang, Florentine iris and Bulgarian rose
• Base notes: labdanum, leather, castoreum, Indian sandalwood, Tonkin musk, civet, opoponax, ambergris, patchouli, oakmoss, Madagascar vetiver, benzoin and styrax

The fruity, aldehydic top notes of Azzaro by Loris Azzaro sound like they create a vibrant and sparkling opening for the fragrance. Gardenia, hyacinth, coriander, and peach likely contribute to this fresh and lively introduction. Gardenia and hyacinth bring floral and green nuances, while coriander adds a hint of spice. The peach note adds a sweet and juicy fruitiness, enhancing the overall brightness of the fragrance. This combination sets the stage for the more complex layers of the scent to unfold.

The heart notes of Azzaro by Loris Azzaro are absolutely captivating! With Bulgarian rose, Comoros ylang ylang, tuberose, Florentine iris, and Grasse jasmine, it's a bouquet of some of the most beloved and classic floral ingredients in perfumery. Bulgarian rose likely brings a rich and velvety sweetness, while ylang ylang adds a creamy and exotic floral aspect. Tuberose is known for its heady and intoxicating aroma, while iris lends a powdery and sophisticated touch. Grasse jasmine, famed for its delicate and floral scent, would round out this heart accord beautifully. Together, these notes create a lush and romantic floral bouquet at the heart of the fragrance.

The base notes of Azzaro by Loris Azzaro sound deep, rich, and incredibly luxurious. The mossy and balsamic qualities provide a grounding and earthy foundation for the fragrance. Ambergris likely adds a subtle marine and musky aroma, while Indian sandalwood brings a creamy and woody depth. Madagascar vetiver contributes a smoky and earthy nuance, enhancing the complexity of the base. Civet and Tonkin musk are both animalic notes that add sensuality and warmth to the composition, creating a captivating and long-lasting dry down. Overall, these base notes provide a sophisticated and enduring finish to the fragrance, leaving a lasting impression.

Bottle:

Presented in a bottle designed by Pierre Dinand in 1975 who was inspired by a Salvador Dali painting. The perfume bottle was manufactured by Pochet et du Courval with plastic components supplied by MBF Plastiques. 

The collaboration between Pierre Dinand and Salvador Dali's artwork for the design of the Azzaro by Loris Azzaro bottle is an interesting intersection of art and fashion. Pierre Dinand, a renowned perfume bottle designer, crafted a design that captured the essence of the fragrance and its era, drawing inspiration from Dali's distinctive artistic style.

The involvement of Pochet et du Courval and MBF Plastiques in manufacturing the bottle further underscores the attention to detail and quality in the production process. Pochet et du Courval is a prestigious glassmaker known for its expertise in crafting high-quality perfume bottles, while MBF Plastiques provided the plastic components, ensuring a blend of elegance and functionality in the final product.

Overall, the collaboration between these talented individuals and companies resulted in not only a beautifully designed fragrance bottle but also a symbol of artistic expression and craftsmanship.

Parfum:

• 1/4 oz Parfum
• 1/2 oz Parfum bottle stands 3.25" tall.
• 1 oz Parfum bottle stands 3.75" tall

Eau de Parfum:

• 2ml Eau de Parfum Splash Mini
• 2 oz Eau de Parfum Splash
• 4 oz Eau de Parfum Splash
• 8 oz Eau de Parfum Splash
• 1 oz Eau de Parfum Spray 
• 2.1 oz Eau de Parfum Refillable Spray
• 2.5 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

Eau de Toilette:

• 2 oz Eau de Toilette Splash
• 4 oz Eau de Toilette Splash
• 8 oz Eau de Toilette Splash
• 3 oz Eau de Toilette Spray

Bath & Body Products:

• 6.75 oz Foam Bath

A giant factice (advertising dummy bottle) stands 13.5" tall. It is filled with colored water to simulate perfume. Another factice was used for the 8 oz Eau de Toilette Splash, it stands 6.75" tall and like the other factice, it is filled with colored water, not perfume.

CLICK HERE TO FIND THE ORIGINAL AZZARO BY LORIS AZZARO

Fate of the Fragrance:

It appears that Azzaro by Loris Azzaro was still available for purchase as late as 1978, but its discontinuation date is unclear. Fragrances can have varying lifespans on the market, influenced by factors such as changing trends, consumer preferences, and the brand's strategic decisions. While it's no longer in production, its legacy lives on through the memories and experiences of those who enjoyed its scent during its time on the market.

Reformulated by Aurélien Guichard of Givaudan and relaunched as Azzaro Couture in 2008. The original black plastic and clear glass bottle has now been replaced with white plastic and clear glass and the cap is studded with 120 Swarovski crystals for a glamourous touch. The bottle is available in two versions:

• Couture Prestige 75ml Eau de Parfum.
• Couture Cristal 75 ml Eau de Parfum. 
• 100 ml Couture Refill edition with a small funnel also available

So what does the reformulated version smell like? It is classified as a fresh-mossy chypre fragrance for women. Guichard explained, “The new, more linear Azzaro Couture has gained a supple, iridescent, luminous and contemporary side.”

• Top notes: aldehydes, galbanum absolute, bergamot, plum, peach
• Middle notes: mimosa absolute, apple blossom, gardenia, ylang-ylang, may rose absolute, jasmine
• Base notes: iris absolute, civet, ambrette seed absolute, patchouli, amber, vetiver, moss and styrax

 CLICK HERE TO FIND AZZARO COUTURE