Jardin de Soleil by Escada c1996

Launching a perfume alongside a fashion line was a savvy move by Escada in 1999. The late 1990s were a time of bold experimentation and boundary-pushing in both fashion and fragrance. This period saw the rise of luxury brands expanding their portfolios to include fragrances, recognizing the potent connection between scent and style.

Escada's decision to create a perfume specifically tailored to complement its fashion line reflects the era's trend of fashion houses leveraging their brand identity across various product lines. This strategy aimed to offer consumers a cohesive sensory experience, allowing them to immerse themselves fully in the brand's aesthetic.

The launch of Jardin de Soleil in 1999 coincided with a fashion landscape characterized by vibrant colors, playful patterns, and a celebration of femininity. The perfume's name, meaning "Garden of Sun," evokes images of warmth, brightness, and natural beauty, aligning perfectly with the carefree spirit of summer fashion.

In terms of scent composition, Jardin de Soleil's blend of floral notes like wild rose leaves, crocus, pink lily of the valley, and narcissus, combined with fruity undertones of peach apricot, encapsulates the essence of a blooming garden in full sunlight. The addition of a woody base adds depth and complexity, balancing the fragrance's sweetness with a touch of earthiness.

Sophie Labbé’s expertise in creating complex and layered fragrances is evident in Jardin de Soleil. Known for her ability to blend diverse notes into harmonious compositions, Labbé's work on this perfume showcases her talent for evoking emotions and imagery through scent. Her creation of Jardin de Soleil not only captures the essence of a summer garden but also aligns perfectly with the fashion trends of the time, making the fragrance a timeless reflection of late 1990s style.

In summary, the launch of Jardin de Soleil by Escada in 1999, created by Sophie Labbé, was a strategic and innovative move in the world of high fashion. The perfume's design, mirroring the vibrant and eclectic trends of the era, provided a perfect complement to Escada’s fashion line, offering consumers a complete and immersive brand experience.

 Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral fragrance for women. 

• Top notes: crocus, hyacinth and wild rose leaves.
• Middle notes: pink lily of the valley, narcissus, amaryllis
• Base notes: peach, apricot, wild raspberry, sandalwood

Scent Profile:

Imagine yourself in a vibrant, sun-drenched garden in Italy, where the air is alive with the scents of blooming flowers and ripe fruits. The fragrance begins with the top notes, inviting you into this aromatic paradise. As you lean in close to a delicate crocus, you inhale a subtle yet captivating scent. It is earthy and slightly spicy, with an undercurrent of fresh greenness that hints at the promise of spring. The aroma is gentle and welcoming, reminiscent of the first blooms after a gentle rain. Nearby, clusters of hyacinths fill the air with their rich, heady fragrance. It’s a bold, sweet, and slightly powdery aroma, evoking images of colorful petals and a sense of lush abundance. The scent is both refreshing and deeply floral, creating a sense of vibrant life and energy in the garden. As you walk along, you brush past the wild rose bushes, releasing the green, slightly peppery scent of their leaves. It's fresh and crisp, with a faint whisper of the soft, romantic rose buds that will soon follow. This note adds a natural, leafy depth to the fragrance, grounding the floral sweetness.

In the heart of the garden, clusters of pink lily of the valley sway gently in the breeze. Their delicate bell-shaped flowers exude a sweet, ethereal scent that is both pure and enchanting. It’s a soft, almost innocent fragrance that conjures images of delicate pink petals and light-filled mornings. You come across a patch of narcissus, their golden blooms releasing a scent that is rich and narcotic. It has a sweet, almost honeyed aroma with an underlying green freshness. The fragrance is intense and intoxicating, adding a sophisticated and slightly mysterious allure to the garden’s bouquet. Further along, the amaryllis blooms with bold, trumpet-shaped flowers. Their scent is warm, slightly spicy, and deeply floral, with a touch of exotic allure. It’s a powerful, captivating fragrance that evokes the warmth and vibrancy of an Italian summer.

Under a canopy of fruit trees, you find ripe peaches hanging low. Their aroma is juicy and luscious, with a sweet, succulent quality that is both mouthwatering and comforting. It brings a sense of softness and warmth, like the touch of sun-warmed fruit on your skin. Nearby, apricot trees offer a similarly sweet and fruity scent, but with a slightly tangier edge. The fragrance is soft, velvety, and reminiscent of sun-drenched afternoons. It adds a gentle, golden sweetness to the overall composition. As you continue, you stumble upon wild raspberry bushes. The scent of the berries is bright and tart, with a vibrant, almost playful sweetness. It’s a fresh, invigorating aroma that adds a burst of energy and brightness to the fragrance. Finally, you find yourself in a shaded corner of the garden, where the earthy, creamy scent of sandalwood wafts through the air. It’s a grounding, woody fragrance with a smooth, rich depth that complements the floral and fruity notes beautifully. The sandalwood adds a touch of sophistication and warmth, rounding out the fragrance with a lasting, elegant finish.

In this bright summery garden in Italy, each note blends harmoniously to create a vivid tapestry of scent, capturing the essence of a perfect summer day.

Product Line:

The "Jardin de Soleil" product line appears to be a carefully curated collection designed to evoke a sense of luxury and indulgence. Let's break down the components:

• Eau de Toilette: This is the centerpiece of the collection, available in two sizes – one ounce and 3.4 ounces. The pricing suggests that it's positioned as a premium fragrance, with the larger size offering better value for money. The name "Jardin de Soleil" conjures imagery of a sunny garden, hinting at a fragrance that's likely fresh, floral, and invigorating. The limited edition aspect adds to its allure, creating a sense of exclusivity and desirability.

• Body Lotion and Bath & Shower Gel: These complementary products provide a complete sensory experience, allowing customers to layer the fragrance for a longer-lasting effect. The pricing is reasonable, making them accessible additions to the collection. The 5.1-ounce size offers ample product for regular use, while the consistent fragrance across all products ensures a cohesive experience.

Limited Availability and Distribution: By limiting availability to specific retailers and for a limited time (only through September), the brand creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity. Nordstrom and select department stores are chosen as distribution partners, further enhancing the prestige of the product line.

Overall, the "Jardin de Soleil" product line appears to be a meticulously crafted offering aimed at customers who appreciate quality, luxury, and a sense of exclusivity in their fragrance and skincare products.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown.