Grand Dame by Jean Desprez: launched in 1939. The name means "great lady" in French.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? It is classified as a spicy floral oriental fragrance for women, it was described as "spicy, for modern women".
- Top notes: aldehydes, citrus, clover
- Middle notes: carnation, gardenia, rose, jasmine, carnation, spices
- Base notes: vanilla, amber, oakmoss, musk, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, labdanum
L'Amour de l'art, 1950:
"Grand Dame by Jean Desprez: On an accompaniment of spicy scents, gardenia, crimson clover seem to improvise their variations. In a word, this modern grande dame has 'branch'."
Book of Friendship, 1947:
"Jean Desprez Parfumeur, 17, rue de la Paix, Paris, presents its perfumes: ETOURDISSANT, VOTRE MAIN, JARDANEL, GRANDE DAME and its POUDRE DE BEAUTÉ for all seasons. Jean Desprez certifies all his perfumes to be imported from France. They are entirely bottled, packaged and sealed in the country of origin."
Bottles:
Modele Pratique: The original bottle for Grande Dame was a square French crystal flacon fitted with a ground glass stopper. This bottle was also used for the other early Jean Desprez perfumes: Etourdissant, Jardanel, and Votre Main. I believe this model was used during the war period as the expensive flacons were unattainable due to cost and supply restrictions. The base of the box reads "All my perfumes, regardless of the original models, are presented in the 'Practical Model.' These creations are my property and any imitator will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Etourdissant - Votre Main - Jardanel - Grand Dame - Parfums de Jean Desprez. 17 rue de la Paix. Made in France."
The bottle used for Grande Dame has a lovely paper label depicting a porcelain vase in the shape of a twisted cornucopia resting inside of an ormolu filigree stand, an ormolu Napoleonic eagle insignia is on the side. The image was probably based on an antique Sevres example.
Suzanne Wolfe, the company's Paris attorney, said that Desprez got most of his inspirations from looking at priceless art works while roaming the vast halls, galleries and gardens of the Palace of Versailles, something he did every autumn. He also regularly visited the Sevres Porcelain Museum to get inspiration. Wolfe explained that when Desprez sees something he likes, he has it reproduced and used it on his Christmas cards. No doubt he did the same for his perfume labels.
Fate of the Fragrance:
Discontinued, date unknown.
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