Skylark by Barbara Gould c1940

Barbara Gould’s choice of the name "Skylark" for her 1940 perfume is both poetic and evocative, drawing on rich natural imagery and symbolism. The word "skylark" comes from Old Norse origins, "lǫkr" meaning "lark," combined with "sky," reflecting the bird's tendency to ascend and sing while airborne. A skylark is a small bird known for its melodious and uplifting song, often associated with freedom, joy, and the vastness of open skies. This delicate creature, with its soaring flight and musical voice, naturally conjures images of lightness, beauty, and nature’s grace.

In the context of scent, the word "Skylark" suggests a perfume that is airy, bright, and fresh. One might imagine a fragrance that opens with vibrant top notes, perhaps citrus or soft green accords, leading into a bouquet of delicate florals like apple blossom, rose, or lily of the valley. The perfume would likely evoke feelings of freedom, happiness, and a connection to the outdoors, much like the skylark's flight evokes a sense of liberation and peace.

For women in the 1940s, "Skylark" would have held significant appeal, especially as the world was on the brink of war. The United States was still recovering from the Great Depression, and the perfume’s launch in 1940 came just before the country entered World War II. During this tumultuous time, the name "Skylark" would have symbolized an emotional escape from the challenges of daily life, offering an image of serenity and beauty. For American women, who were increasingly stepping into new roles due to the war, a perfume called "Skylark" might have represented a sense of hope, optimism, and resilience. The bird’s association with freedom and its uplifting song could symbolize the desire for peace and the return to simpler, more carefree days.

The name also aligns with the romanticism that was popular in the perfume industry of the era. Women of the time were drawn to perfumes that captured both femininity and fantasy, and "Skylark" would have resonated as a fragrance embodying elegance, light-heartedness, and aspiration. The symbolism of a skylark—a creature connected to the skies and known for its joyful song—offered an inspiring contrast to the weight of the period’s uncertainties, making it an ideal name for a perfume that promised an emotional lift and a sense of beauty.

Ultimately, "Skylark" would have symbolized a sense of flight, optimism, and renewal for American women. It would have been interpreted as a fragrance that allowed them to reconnect with their own sense of grace, femininity, and inner freedom, while navigating the complexities of the world around them.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a light floral fragrance for women with mild apple blossom note.

• Top notes: hyacinth, cassie, geranium, lily of the valley, bergamot, neroli, aldehydes
• Middle notes: hawthorn, ylang ylang, violet, clove, nutmeg, jasmine, rose, orange blossom, 
• Base notes: coriander, musk, lignaloe, wintergreen, styrax, sandalwood, orris

Scent Profile:

As I inhale the top notes of Skylark, I am immediately greeted by a fresh, green burst of hyacinth, which brings a soft, dewy sweetness, reminiscent of early spring mornings in a garden. Its floral depth is both bright and watery, as if delicate petals are opening at the first light of day. Cassie, with its powdery, slightly spicy warmth, adds a honeyed richness to the mix, wrapping the airy scent in a soft, velvety layer. 

I detect a hint of geranium, its sharp, lemony edges cutting through the florals, lending a crisp, herbal quality that keeps the fragrance lively and vibrant. Lily of the valley, so delicate and innocent, whispers gently beneath the brighter notes, offering a subtle freshness that conjures images of small, bell-like flowers swaying in the breeze. 

The zesty brightness of bergamot is unmistakable, infusing the top accord with a sparkling citrus that uplifts the entire composition. It’s softened by the bitter-sweet richness of neroli, adding a floral complexity that glows warmly. The aldehydes provide a certain airy, sparkling effervescence, like sunlight dancing across a field of blooms, lifting the entire bouquet into a radiant, shimmering lightness.

As the top notes begin to settle, the heart of Skylark unfolds, revealing a lush tapestry of hawthorn and ylang ylang. The hawthorn, delicate and slightly green, evokes images of soft petals and countryside hedges, blending effortlessly with the creamy, exotic richness of ylang ylang, whose floral depth is almost intoxicating with its heady, tropical sweetness. 

Violet adds a powdery softness, creating a nostalgic and almost wistful quality. There's an unexpected hint of spice, as the warm bite of clove and the earthy, peppery touch of nutmeg emerge—gentle yet grounding, their spiciness swirling subtly beneath the more prominent florals. 

The heart is rounded out by the opulent, almost narcotic richness of jasmine and the timeless elegance of rose. Together, they envelop me in a soft embrace, their velvety petals blooming slowly, radiating an undeniable femininity. Orange blossom lends a radiant, almost sun-soaked sweetness, balancing the complexity of the heart with its bright, fresh presence, like a sweet summer day captured in a single inhale.

As Skylark fades into its base, it settles into a soft, enveloping warmth. The delicate spice of coriander adds a hint of herbal freshness, just before the smooth, creamy depth of musk begins to emerge, providing a subtle sensuality. Lignaloe (also known as bois de rose) brings a woody, slightly floral undertone, grounding the perfume with a gentle, rosewood-like warmth. 

There’s a cool, refreshing touch of wintergreen, faintly medicinal, offering a clean, brisk contrast to the softer base notes. The richness of styrax, with its resinous, balsamic sweetness, adds an almost smoky depth, while the comforting, creamy warmth of sandalwood anchors the composition. Its softness is earthy and inviting, lingering gently on the skin like a whispered memory. 

Finally, the powdery elegance of orris root, with its soft violet-like scent, rounds out the base, leaving a velvety, slightly dry finish that echoes the floral sweetness of the perfume’s earlier moments.

The overall scent is light, elegant, and gently floral, capturing the essence of a skylark in flight—a delicate balance of freshness, beauty, and fleeting joy. Each note in Skylark harmonizes perfectly, offering a fragrance that is not only evocative of nature's grace but also imbued with a subtle sophistication that would have resonated with women seeking a scent as uplifting and graceful as the bird itself.

Product Line:

Skylark was more than just a fragrance; it represented a complete collection of beauty and personal care products that allowed women to experience its light floral essence in various forms. At the heart of this collection was the perfume (parfum), the most concentrated and luxurious version of Skylark. The parfum encapsulated the full depth of its floral notes, offering an intense and long-lasting expression of the scent. A single drop of this rich, golden liquid would have been enough to evoke the delicate blend of hyacinth, lily of the valley, and orange blossom, with its complexity slowly unfurling over the course of the day. This highly refined form of Skylark would be worn on special occasions or cherished moments when a woman wanted the full potency of the scent to linger on her skin.

For everyday wear, there was Lilting Fragrance, an eau de toilette that provided a lighter, more airy interpretation of Skylark. The name "Lilting" perfectly captured its effect—delicate, playful, and floating effortlessly. This version allowed women to apply the fragrance more liberally, misting it onto their skin or clothing for a soft, refreshing veil of scent that would subtly follow them throughout the day. Its lighter concentration made it ideal for casual wear or daytime activities, offering a floral elegance without being overpowering.

The collection also extended to dusting powder, a luxurious way to incorporate Skylark into a woman’s post-bath routine. Finely milled and silky to the touch, this powder would be applied to the skin with a soft puff, leaving behind a subtle layer of fragrance while smoothing and softening the skin. The dusting powder added another layer to the Skylark experience, enveloping the body in a fragrant cloud of florals that would linger long after application. This product was perfect for layering under the perfume or eau de toilette, extending the longevity of the scent.

Similarly, the talcum powder offered a more practical yet indulgent way to wear Skylark. Known for its ability to absorb moisture and keep the skin feeling fresh, the talcum powder would also leave a soft trail of Skylark’s light floral notes. It would have been a staple in women’s grooming routines, particularly in a time when personal powders were commonly used to stay cool and comfortable throughout the day. The talc’s gentle texture and the fragrance’s soft elegance made it a daily essential, bringing a touch of sophistication to even the most routine moments.

For cleansing, Skylark was available as soap, transforming the everyday act of washing into a fragrant ritual. The soap, infused with the light florals of Skylark, would lather richly, releasing its bouquet of flowers with every use. Bathing with this soap allowed women to enjoy the scent in its most intimate form, as the soft bubbles gently cleansed the skin, leaving behind a lingering hint of fragrance. Its creamy lather would not only cleanse but also moisturize, making it both a luxurious and practical addition to the collection.

For those who enjoyed a more indulgent bath, Bath Bubbles offered a sensory escape. Poured into warm water, the bath bubbles would release a rich foam, filling the room with the fresh, floral notes of Skylark. The air would be infused with the scent of hyacinth, jasmine, and orange blossom, creating a peaceful and rejuvenating atmosphere. This product turned a simple bath into a luxurious experience, where the light, uplifting florals of Skylark could be enjoyed in their most immersive form. As the bubbles surrounded the body, the fragrance would gently cling to the skin, leaving it softly scented long after the bath was over.

Finally, face powder completed the collection, adding a subtle fragrance to a woman’s makeup routine. This finely milled powder, likely available in soft, flattering shades, was designed to set makeup and reduce shine while leaving behind a delicate trace of Skylark’s floral scent. Every time the powder was applied, it would provide not only a flawless complexion but also a faint hint of the fragrance, enhancing the overall beauty experience. It was a final, elegant touch to the Skylark range, ensuring that the scent could be present in every aspect of a woman’s beauty regimen.

Together, these products allowed Skylark to become more than just a perfume; it became a signature scent that could be woven into a woman’s daily life in multiple ways, from fragrance to beauty to personal care. Each product complemented the next, creating a harmonious and luxurious routine that allowed women to experience Skylark’s light floral elegance in its many facets.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued in 1955.

 SKYLARK PERFUME BY BARBARA GOULD ON EBAY