Byzance by Grenoville, originally introduced in 1926 under the name Nikys, underwent a swift rebranding to Byzance for reasons that remain speculative. It is possible that the initial name, Nikys, conflicted with an existing trademark held by a rival perfumer. The word Nikys likely derives from Greek origins, connected to Nike, the goddess of victory, and would be pronounced NEE-kees. This name might have conveyed notions of triumph and grace, aligning with the elegant and aspirational identity often associated with fine perfumery. Despite its evocative qualities, Grenoville pivoted to Byzance, a name that arguably carried even greater allure and cultural weight.
The name Byzance is the French term for Byzantium, the ancient Greek city that later became Constantinople, pronounced bee-ZAHNSS in French. The choice of this name reflects a deliberate attempt to evoke the grandeur, mystique, and opulence of the Byzantine Empire. To contemporary audiences, Byzance conjured images of gilded mosaics, intricate architectural details, and a romanticized vision of the East—a world imbued with luxury, exoticism, and sensuality. For women in the 1920s, this name would have represented an alluring escape, a connection to a storied and glamorous past that resonated deeply with the period’s fascination with Orientalism and Art Deco aesthetics. The exotic and historical connotations of Byzance imbued the fragrance with an air of sophistication and intrigue.
Byzance is classified as a white floral fragrance and was described in period advertisements as "a splendid gardenia of the sharp, tuberose kind." This characterization highlights its rich and heady floral profile, which balanced the lush creaminess of gardenia with the sharper, intoxicating facets of tuberose. Such a composition would have been striking and memorable, enveloping the wearer in a bold and unmistakable floral aura. The olfactory interpretation of Byzance might reflect its name by conjuring sensory impressions of ornate gardens, resplendent with luminous white blossoms, embodying a timeless yet exotic elegance.
