Jasmin from Egypt by Tuvache c1941

Launched in 1941, Jasmin from Egypt by Tuvaché carries a name that evokes an air of exoticism, romance, and timeless beauty. The choice of the name "Jasmin from Egypt" reflects not only the fragrance's inspiration but also its intention to transport wearers to the enchanting lands of the Nile, where jasmine blooms under the starry skies. Jasmine, often referred to as the “queen of the night,” holds a significant presence in Egyptian culture. Jasmine grows in Egypt, thriving in its warm, arid climate. Egyptian jasmine, particularly Jasminum grandiflorum, is known for its intensely sweet, opulent, and slightly fruity aroma, which sets it apart from other varieties like the green, almost spicy jasmine of India or the lighter, airy jasmine of Italy. Egyptian jasmine has a deep, velvety richness, making it a prized component in perfumery.

The imagery and emotions evoked by the name Jasmin from Egypt are vivid and alluring. It conjures visions of moonlit nights on the banks of the Nile, the air heavy with the intoxicating scent of jasmine blossoms. It speaks of ancient romance, glamour, and the mystery of a faraway land. This was especially appealing in the early 1940s, a period marked by both upheaval and a longing for escapism.

In 1941, the world was in the midst of World War II, and many aspects of daily life were shaped by the challenges of the time. While fashion and luxury were subdued by rationing and practicality, women still sought ways to express elegance and femininity, often turning to perfumes as an accessible form of indulgence. A fragrance like Jasmin from Egypt would have offered an escape—a way to imagine oneself as a glamorous and enigmatic figure, even in the face of wartime austerity.

Nectaroma by Tuvache c1960

Nectaroma by Tuvache: launched in 1960.

Tuvara by Tuvache c1948

Tuvara by Tuvache: launched in 1948. The name Tuvara was trademarked in 1965 by Tuvache. The name Tuvara comes from a species of the cassia plant and was also the name of Mme. Tuvache's daughter.

Sumatra by Tuvache c1942

Sumatra by Tuvache, launched in 1940, was a fragrance steeped in mystery, exoticism, and quiet defiance. Created by Bernadine de Tuvache, the founder of Parfums Tuvache, the perfume bore a name that immediately evoked distant lands and rich, uncharted territories. In naming the perfume “Sumatra,” Tuvache was conjuring an entire world—one of verdant jungles, fragrant spice markets, steamy monsoons, and colonial intrigue.

The word “Sumatra” refers to the large, equatorial island located in western Indonesia, part of the Malay Archipelago. In English, it's pronounced Soo-MAH-truh. The name likely stems from the Sanskrit word “Samudra,” meaning “ocean” or “gathering of waters,” a fitting etymology for an island surrounded by mystique. By 1940, Sumatra was well known in the Western imagination as a place of tropical abundance—famed for its spices, precious woods, resins, coffee, and volcanic richness. The island’s name had long circulated in the colonial-era perfume industry, which romanticized the East Indies as a source of rare, untamed botanicals.

To women of the 1940s, a perfume named Sumatra would have suggested escapism—a sensual, aromatic voyage far from the grim realities of daily life. Europe was embroiled in the early stages of World War II; France had just fallen under German occupation. The world felt unstable, anxious, and constrained. Against this bleak backdrop, perfume became an act of psychological travel. Fragrances offered a kind of resistance through beauty, a way to preserve luxury, elegance, and personal identity. “Sumatra” promised something lush, unspoiled, and far from war—an indulgence in fantasy, an olfactory passport to an imagined elsewhere.

Jungle Gardenia by Tuvache c1932

Jungle Gardénia (Original) by Tuvache was launched in 1932, relaunched in 1957.

Algiers by Tuvache c1940

Algiers was launched by Tuvache in 1940. Tuvache offered five interesting perfumes created from exotic tropical flowers found in the jungles of Algiers and Morocco which are compounded and packaged in the United States. These were promoted as "limited edition" perfumes.