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Welcome to my unique perfume blog! Here, you'll find detailed, encyclopedic entries about perfumes and companies, complete with facts and photos for easy research. This site is not affiliated with any perfume companies; it's a reference source for collectors and enthusiasts who cherish classic fragrances. My goal is to highlight beloved, discontinued classics and show current brand owners the demand for their revival. Your input is invaluable! Please share why you liked a fragrance, describe its scent, the time period you wore it, any memorable occasions, or what it reminded you of. Did a relative wear it, or did you like the bottle design? Your stories might catch the attention of brand representatives. I regularly update posts with new information and corrections. Your contributions help keep my entries accurate and comprehensive. Please comment and share any additional information you have. Together, we can keep the legacy of classic perfumes alive!

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Coup de Chapeau by Gilbert Orcel c1948

In 1948, French milliner Gilbert Orcel made his foray into the world of fragrance with the launch of Coup de Chapeau. 

The phrase "Coup de Chapeau" originates from French and translates literally to "a tip of the hat." In a figurative sense, it is used to express admiration, respect, or recognition for someone’s achievement, effort, or contribution. Much like the gesture of tipping one’s hat in Western cultures, it symbolizes a polite acknowledgment or salute. Pronounced as "koo duh shah-poh," the choice of name reflects Orcel's background in millinery, where hats are essential elements of style and elegance. By invoking the classic gesture of tipping one’s hat, Orcel evoked a sense of timeless sophistication and courtesy, appealing to the sensibilities of those who appreciated refined, understated charm.

Coup de Chapeau was brought to the American market through the efforts of Gladys Weisglas, operating under the name Gladys Warner Distributor in New York. This partnership allowed the Gilbert Orcel fragrance to reach a broader audience, connecting with those who admired French luxury and the mystique of Parisian fashion. Orcel’s expertise in millinery lent the perfume an air of prestige, as his creations were synonymous with high fashion. The perfume’s introduction to the United States market helped cement Orcel’s legacy not only as a master of hats but as a name associated with sophisticated, well-crafted fragrances. Gilbert Orcel, milliner-hatter in activity from 1938 to 1972 at 5bis Rue du Cirque.

Fragrance Composition:

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

  • Top notes:
  • Middle notes:
  • Base notes:


Bottle:


It was housed inside of an opaque white glass bottle, molded as the bust of a woman, highlighted in gilding and made by Verreries Brosse.  Bottle in pressed white opaque glass molded with a cylindrical section, enhanced with gold lacquer, depicting a woman in bust, her head acting as a capsule protecting protecting its notched gold lacquered stopper. . H: 13cm




Fate of the Fragrance:


Discontinued, date unknown. Still sold in 1954.


COUP DE CHAPEAU PERFUME BY GILBERT ORCEL ON EBAY

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