Gone With the Wind the Fragrance c1989

 Gone With the Wind (Eau de Parfum) is a perfume by G.W.T.W.F. Inc. for women and was released in 1989. Created by Dragoco, Inc.

"Gone With the Wind" as a perfume sounds like it was a captivating concept, especially with its evocative name reminiscent of the classic novel and film. Dragoco, Inc. is renowned for crafting memorable fragrances, so it's intriguing to imagine the scent they created for this perfume. The release date in 1989 adds to its mystique, suggesting a blend that might reflect the elegance and romance of the bygone era depicted in the story. I can envision it being a timeless scent cherished by those who appreciate sophistication and nostalgia.

The Gone With the Wind perfume debuted in September 1989 to help commemorate the 50th anniversary of the classic film. 

Turner Home Entertainment signed an licensing agreement with Creative Fragrances, Inc, of Hollywood, Florida the right to market and produce the perfume. Turner is a unit of Turner Broadcasting System, which owned the rights to the movie. The fragrance was in the works as early as May 1989.

The debut of the "Gone With the Wind" perfume in September 1989, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the beloved film, seems like a fitting tribute to its enduring legacy. The collaboration between Turner Home Entertainment and Creative Fragrances, Inc., facilitated by Turner Broadcasting System, highlights the significance of the movie's rights in bringing this olfactory homage to fruition. The fact that plans for the fragrance were underway as early as May 1989 underscores the attention to detail and planning involved in capturing the essence of such an iconic cinematic masterpiece in a bottle.

"Gone with the Wind" is very popular with young girls," said a spokesman for Turner, "and this will be a nice reminder of the film. A perfume isn't something cheap or commercials." It's understandable why "Gone With the Wind" would resonate with young girls, given its timeless themes of love, resilience, and independence. Creating a perfume as a tribute to the film indeed elevates it beyond mere merchandise; it becomes a tangible reminder of the emotions and allure associated with the story.

Lois Sloan, also of Creative Fragrances, said that "Fans of the film will appreciate the Southern passion and fire captured by the new perfume." Lois Sloan's description of the fragrance aligns perfectly with the spirit of the film, evoking images of Scarlett O'Hara's strength and determination amidst the backdrop of the American Civil War. It sounds like they've succeeded in distilling the essence of the film into a scent that fans will truly appreciate.

The perfume was a mass market entry featured on the shelves of Macy's and other regional department stores at the end of October. It was launched in approximately 2,000 mass outlets and advertised solely on a co-op basis. Special gift packages were put up in department stores by Christmas. The fragrance was targeted for approximately 250 doors by 1990. 

The wide availability of the "Gone With the Wind" perfume, with its placement on the shelves of major retailers like Macy's and other regional department stores, speaks to the strategic marketing approach behind its launch. By making it accessible in approximately 2,000 mass outlets, they ensured that fans of the film across various regions could easily find and purchase the scent.

Advertising the perfume solely on a co-op basis suggests a collaborative effort between Turner Home Entertainment, Creative Fragrances, Inc., and the retailers, leveraging shared resources to promote the product effectively.

The introduction of special gift packages in department stores by Christmas likely capitalized on the holiday season's gift-giving spirit, making the perfume an attractive option for fans of the film or those looking for unique and nostalgic presents.

Targeting approximately 250 doors by 1990 indicates a gradual expansion plan, allowing the perfume to gain momentum and establish a presence in key markets over time. Overall, it seems like a well-executed strategy to maximize the perfume's reach and appeal to its target audience.

Print ads were developed by Robertet, Inc. and were initially featured in Vogue, Fame, HG, Cosmopolitan and W, with other publications to follow in spring of 1990. The choice to feature print ads in prestigious publications demonstrates a strategic approach to reach a sophisticated and diverse audience. These magazines are known for their influence in the fashion and lifestyle sectors, making them ideal platforms to showcase the allure of the "Gone With the Wind" perfume.

Partnering with Robertet, Inc. for the development of the print ads likely ensured that the visual and textual elements effectively captured the essence of the fragrance and its connection to the iconic film

Expanding to other publications in the spring of 1990 suggests a phased rollout strategy, allowing the campaign to maintain momentum and reach new audiences beyond the initial launch period.

Overall, it seems like a well-thought-out advertising strategy designed to generate excitement and interest in the perfume among readers of these prominent magazines.

In addition to the perfume, Turner licensed 25 firms to produce Gone With the Wind products including: a restored print videocassette, Scarlett, Rhett and Mammy dolls; books; t-shirts; musical pocket watches; cookie tins; puzzles and more. Turner officials commissioned artist LeRoy Neiman to create an official painting commemorating Gone With the Wind's anniversary. It was used for the ad campaign promoting the fragrance, "Gone With the Wind's Miss Scarlett."

The breadth of products licensed by Turner to commemorate "Gone With the Wind" reflects the enduring popularity and cultural significance of the film. From restored print videocassettes to dolls, the range of merchandise offers fans a variety of ways to engage with their favorite characters and moments from the story.

Commissioning artist LeRoy Neiman to create an official painting for the anniversary further underscores the prestige and significance of the occasion. Neiman's distinct style likely captured the essence of the film in a visually striking manner, making it a fitting centerpiece for the ad campaign promoting the fragrance."

This multi-faceted approach to commemorating the film's anniversary not only enhances its legacy but also provides fans with opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of "Gone With the Wind" through various tangible and collectible items.

Lallouz, who also produced the perfume based on the Phantom of the Opera, and the teenage scent Sassy, said he projected sales in its first year of $2.5 million for the Gone With the Wind scent. Lallouz's projection in sales for the scent in its first year reflects confidence in its potential success in the market. Given the widespread appeal of the film and the strategic marketing efforts behind the perfume's launch, this projection seems plausible.

Lallouz's track record with producing other themed perfumes, such as those based on "Phantom of the Opera" and the teenage scent "Sassy," likely informed his sales forecast for the "Gone With the Wind" scent. The success of these previous ventures may have provided valuable insights into consumer preferences and market trends, further bolstering his expectations for the new fragrance.

Overall, with a well-executed marketing campaign and a strong brand association with such an iconic film, the "Gone With the Wind" perfume appears poised for success in capturing the hearts and wallets of consumers.

Turner Broadcasting System, owner of the film Gone With the Wind, and Creative Fragrances, creator of Gone With the Wind, The Fragrance, were looking for the new Scarlett and Rhett. Ten semifinalists, selected from photographs.

The search for the new Scarlett and Rhett to represent the "Gone With the Wind" fragrance would undoubtedly have generated significant excitement among fans of the film. With Turner Broadcasting System, the owner of the film rights, and Creative Fragrances, the creator of the fragrance, spearheading the search, it's clear that they were committed to finding the perfect embodiment of these iconic characters.

Selecting ten semifinalists from photographs suggests a meticulous screening process to ensure that the chosen individuals truly captured the essence of Scarlett and Rhett. It also hints at the thoroughness of the selection process, as finding individuals who not only resemble the characters but also possess the charisma and presence to represent them effectively is no small feat.

The search for the new Scarlett and Rhett likely garnered widespread attention and anticipation, both from fans of the film and from those interested in the world of fashion and beauty. Ultimately, the chosen representatives would play a crucial role in bringing the fragrance to life and further cementing its association with the timeless allure of "Gone With the Wind."

Fragrance Composition:

Notes at a glance:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral chypre fragrance for women. The president of Creative Fragrances, Lucien Lallouz, said the "new romantic fragrance" is a "delicate floral scent with a hint of magnolia. It's so hard to describe, but very, very fresh...and exotic...and erotic...and...well, it describes Scarlett."

• Top notes: magnolia, freesia, bergamot
• Middle notes: rose, jasmine, tuberose
• Base notes: sandalwood, oakmoss, musk, patchouli, amber, labdanum

The "Gone With the Wind" fragrance, classified as a floral chypre, offers a romantic olfactory journey inspired by the iconic character of Scarlett O'Hara. Lucien Lallouz, the president of Creative Fragrances, described it as a delicate floral scent with a hint of magnolia, capturing the essence of Scarlett's allure and complexity.

Here's a breakdown of the fragrance notes:

• Top notes: The initial impression is one of freshness and brightness, with the uplifting scent of magnolia blending harmoniously with the delicate floral notes of freesia and the citrusy zest of bergamot. These top notes set the stage for the rest of the fragrance journey, evoking a sense of vitality and femininity.

• Middle notes: As the fragrance develops, it unfolds into a rich bouquet of romantic florals. The timeless elegance of rose and jasmine intertwines with the intoxicating sweetness of tuberose, adding depth and sensuality to the composition. These middle notes infuse the fragrance with warmth and complexity, mirroring Scarlett's passionate spirit.

• Base notes: The fragrance's foundation is grounded in a blend of earthy, woody, and musky notes. Sandalwood and oakmoss provide a velvety backdrop, while musk and patchouli add a touch of sensuality and depth. Amber, labdanum, and oakmoss contribute to the fragrance's longevity, leaving a lingering trail of warmth and sophistication reminiscent of Scarlett's resilience and strength.

Together, these notes create a captivating and evocative scent that embodies the essence of "Gone With the Wind" and the indomitable spirit of its iconic heroine, Scarlett O'Hara.

Bottles:

The fragrance was packaged in a rectangular bottle with an etched silhouette of Scarlett and Rhett engaged in the film's trademark publicity pose - with Scarlett peering into Rhett's eyes as he firmly, yet delicately holds her chin. 

The packaging of the "Gone With the Wind" fragrance sounds both elegant and nostalgic, perfectly complementing the essence of the film and its iconic characters. The rectangular bottle with the etched silhouette of Scarlett and Rhett in their trademark pose adds a touch of romance and sophistication, making it a desirable collector's item for fans of the movie.

The inclusion of 5,000 numbered, limited edition crystal bottles in special "Gone With the Wind" packages adds to the exclusivity and allure of the fragrance. Such limited editions often become sought-after treasures for collectors and enthusiasts, further enhancing the fragrance's appeal as a special commemorative item.

At the launch, there were 5,000 numbered, limited edition crystal bottles of the perfume in special Gone With the Wind packages. One ounce of this perfume retailed for $55. 

With one ounce of the perfume retailing for $55, it's positioned as a premium product, reflecting the quality of its ingredients, the craftsmanship of its packaging, and its association with a beloved cultural phenomenon. This pricing strategy also adds to the perception of the fragrance as a luxurious indulgence, worthy of its iconic inspiration.

Also available was the Eau de Parfum for $25 and the Eau de Toilette for $19.

 

Fate of the Fragrance:

The production was apparently discontinued.

The Rhett fragrance, also to debut in September 1989 was a mixture of sandalwood, musk and patchouli. Also discontinued.

It's unfortunate to hear that both the "Gone With the Wind" and Rhett fragrances were discontinued. Despite the initial excitement and anticipation surrounding their launches, sometimes market conditions or shifting consumer preferences can lead to the discontinuation of products.

The Rhett fragrance, with its blend of sandalwood, musk, and patchouli, sounds like it offered a distinct and potentially appealing scent profile, reflecting the strength and masculinity of the character it was inspired by.

While it's disappointing that these fragrances are no longer available, their existence serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of "Gone With the Wind" and the timeless appeal of its characters. Perhaps in the future, there may be opportunities for similar tributes or reimaginings of these beloved fragrances to capture the hearts of new generations of fans.

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