Miss Zadig by Emilio Pucci c1973

Launched in 1973, Miss Zadig by Emilio Pucci emerged at a time of profound cultural transformation, both in fashion and in fragrance. Its name, Miss Zadig, is curious and enigmatic—almost poetic in its mystery. The word Zadig is most closely associated with Voltaire’s 1747 philosophical novella Zadig ou la Destinée (Zadig, or The Book of Fate), written in French. The name Zadig is pronounced ZAH-deeg [zaˈdiɡ] and is believed to derive from the Arabic word ṣādiq, meaning “truthful” or “just.” In Voltaire’s story, Zadig is a noble, intellectual, and inquisitive man who seeks truth, virtue, and enlightenment through trial and journey. The use of Miss paired with Zadig feminizes this literary character, transforming the idea into an embodiment of a modern, questioning woman—spirited, curious, worldly, and wise. It's a name that evokes both Eastern mystique and European intellect.

To name a perfume Miss Zadig in 1973 was bold and avant-garde. This was the height of the post-1960s counterculture movement, when society was moving away from rigid conventions toward individuality, spirituality, and sensuality. The early 1970s were marked by rebellion against conformity, a renewed interest in Eastern philosophies, and an embrace of bohemian aesthetics. Women were redefining femininity—not simply in terms of liberation, but also in expressing identity through style, scent, and lifestyle. Fashion itself was embracing ethnic prints, flowing silhouettes, and global influences—Pucci’s signature psychedelic patterns fit perfectly into this mood, blending Italian luxury with jet-set eclecticism.

In this cultural atmosphere, a perfume like Miss Zadig would have resonated with the adventurous, well-traveled woman—someone who was both introspective and free-spirited. The name alone may have evoked images of incense-filled bazaars, embroidered kaftans, and long afternoons in art-filled salons. It suggests a woman who isn't just wearing a perfume, but channeling a persona: mysterious, intelligent, and sensually aloof.

Pucci by Emilio Pucci c1980

Pucci by Emilio Pucci: launched in 1980 in USA by 1981. It was introduced as an Eau de Parfum.

Zadig by Emilio Pucci c1970

Launched in 1970, Zadig by Emilio Pucci emerged at a time of bold experimentation in fashion, art, and fragrance—a decade marked by dramatic cultural shifts, social liberation, and aesthetic risk-taking. The name "Zadig" is evocative, literary, and mysterious. It comes from Zadig ou la Destinée (1747), a philosophical novella by the French Enlightenment writer Voltaire. Pronounced ZAH-deeg (with a soft “g,” like "league"), the name conjures images of exotic lands, philosophical quests, and poetic self-discovery. Voltaire's Zadig was a nobleman of ancient Babylon, a seeker of truth and virtue who journeyed through trials of fate, love, and identity—an ideal metaphor for a fragrance meant to evoke intelligence, complexity, and worldly sensuality.

Choosing this name, Emilio Pucci likely intended to frame the perfume not just as a sensory object, but as a story, a journey. It gave the fragrance a cerebral, romantic edge—something that would appeal to the stylish, cosmopolitan woman of the early 1970s, who saw herself not only as beautiful but also as worldly, confident, and independent. At this time, the fashion world was moving beyond the sugary florals and aldehydic bouquets of the '50s and early '60s. Fragrances were becoming more daring, more sensual, reflecting the feminist energy of the era. Oriental perfumes—with their warm, spicy, and resinous compositions—spoke of liberation and complexity, aligning with a woman unafraid to express power and allure.

Zadig fit squarely into this landscape, but with a particularly Pucci twist. It captured the bohemian sophistication of the era, but through a lens of intellectual sensuality and jet-set elegance. Where other orientals might lean heavy and overtly seductive, Zadig suggested a kind of spiritual seduction—the scent of a woman who had read Voltaire on the beaches of Tangier, or wandered barefoot through incense-filled souks in Marrakesh. The choice of an oriental classification also followed a strong trend at the time, yet Pucci’s Zadig offered a more refined, culturally inflected interpretation—less cloying, more ethereal.

Vivara by Emilio Pucci c1965

Vivara by Emilio Pucci, launched in 1965, was more than a fragrance—it was a sun-drenched memory, bottled. The name “Vivara” was drawn directly from the small, crescent-shaped island of Isola di Vivara, located in the Bay of Naples off the coast of Italy, near Capri. The word "Vivara" is Italian, pronounced VEE-vah-rah, and evokes a lyrical, almost musical quality. It suggests life ("vivere", to live), vitality, nature in bloom, and a sense of carefree elegance. To the Italian ear, and to the international imagination, “Vivara” conjures up images of the Mediterranean—wildflowers swaying in the sea breeze, sunbaked cliffs, turquoise waters, and the unmistakable scent of salt, herbs, and citrus carried on the wind.

This was no arbitrary naming. Emilio Pucci, an Italian aristocrat, politician, and fashion designer, had a deep personal connection to Vivara—he owned property nearby, and the island inspired not only the name of the perfume but the aesthetic world surrounding it. Pucci’s designs, renowned for their kaleidoscopic prints and flowing silhouettes, captured the carefree elegance of jet-set glamour. He was a master of expressing movement, light, and color, all of which found resonance in this fragrance. Vivara the perfume became an olfactory embodiment of Pucci’s Mediterranean lifestyle and design philosophy.

The mid-1960s was a transformative moment in both fashion and culture. Known as the Jet Age or part of the Swinging Sixties, the era celebrated youth, innovation, and liberation. Fashion was moving away from structured post-war silhouettes and embracing bold color, new materials, and daring patterns. Travel was opening up to a wider segment of society, with the rise of commercial air travel and glamorous destinations like Capri and the Amalfi Coast becoming playgrounds for the elite and aspirational middle class alike. Pucci, whose boutique on the island of Capri had already achieved cult status, was at the epicenter of this Mediterranean dream. Launching a perfume was a natural extension—he wasn’t merely selling clothes, but a lifestyle.

Zadig by Emilio Pucci c1972

Zadig by Emilio Pucci was launched in 1972, it was named after one of Voltaire's novellas.