Noir by Fashion Fair c1973

 Fashion Fair's perfume "Noir" was indeed launched in 1973. It gained popularity but had to be renamed to "Ebone" in 1979 due to a trademark infringement suit filed by Parfums Weil. The name "Noir" was already trademarked by Weil, prompting Fashion Fair to change the name to avoid legal issues. It's interesting how legal disputes can sometimes shape the branding and naming decisions of companies. 

Fashion Fair is a cosmetics brand that was founded in 1973 by Eunice W. Johnson, the wife of John H. Johnson, who was the founder of Johnson Publishing Company. The brand was initially created to address the lack of makeup options for women of color. Fashion Fair quickly became one of the leading cosmetics lines catering specifically to African American women, offering a wide range of makeup products including foundations, lipsticks, eyeshadows, and more. The brand gained popularity for its inclusive approach to beauty and its high-quality products tailored to meet the needs of diverse skin tones.

Fragrance Composition:

Noir was classified as a dry floral mossy fragrance for women. It begins with a sparkling aldehydic top, followed by a dry, floral heart dominated by lily of the valley and a violet and orris accord of methylionone, resting over a warm, woody, mossy base.

• Top notes: bergamot, aldehydes
• Middle notes: lily of the valley, jasmine, rose, violet, orris root
• Base notes: oakmoss, sandalwood, amber, musk, tonka bean, labdanum, patchouli

With its aldehydic top notes featuring bergamot, followed by a floral heart dominated by lily of the valley, jasmine, and rose, it creates a rich and elegant bouquet. The addition of violet and orris root adds a touch of depth and complexity to the floral accord. Finally, the warm, woody, and mossy base notes of oakmoss, sandalwood, amber, musk, tonka bean, labdanum, and patchouli provide a solid foundation, giving the fragrance depth and longevity. It seems like a scent that would evoke a sense of timeless femininity and allure.

Bottles:

The fragrance line was offered in various formats to cater to different preferences and occasions. The availability of perfume, spray cologne, purse spray, bath oil, and milk bath would have provided customers with options for enjoying the scent in different ways, whether it's through a long-lasting application like perfume, a lighter spritz with spray cologne, or indulging in a luxurious bath experience with the bath oil and milk bath. This range of products likely allowed fans of the fragrance to incorporate it into their daily routines and special occasions alike.

Fate of the Fragrance:

In 1979, Fashion Fair renamed their fragrance "Noir" to "Ebone" due to a trademark infringement suit filed by Parfums Weil. The name "Noir" was already trademarked by Weil, prompting Fashion Fair to change the name to avoid legal issues. This renaming demonstrates the importance of trademark protection and the potential consequences of using a name that infringes on someone else's intellectual property rights.

Although Ebone (formerly Noir) was discontinued, it remained available for sale until 1989. This suggests that even though it was no longer being produced, existing stock may have still been sold until it was depleted. It's not uncommon for discontinued products to remain on shelves for some time until supplies are exhausted.