Jardin de Soleil by Escada c1996

Launching a perfume alongside a fashion line was a savvy move by Escada in 1999. The late 1990s were a time of bold experimentation and boundary-pushing in both fashion and fragrance. This period saw the rise of luxury brands expanding their portfolios to include fragrances, recognizing the potent connection between scent and style.

Escada's decision to create a perfume specifically tailored to complement its fashion line reflects the era's trend of fashion houses leveraging their brand identity across various product lines. This strategy aimed to offer consumers a cohesive sensory experience, allowing them to immerse themselves fully in the brand's aesthetic.

The launch of Jardin de Soleil in 1999 coincided with a fashion landscape characterized by vibrant colors, playful patterns, and a celebration of femininity. The perfume's name, meaning "Garden of Sun," evokes images of warmth, brightness, and natural beauty, aligning perfectly with the carefree spirit of summer fashion.

In terms of scent composition, Jardin de Soleil's blend of floral notes like wild rose leaves, crocus, pink lily of the valley, and narcissus, combined with fruity undertones of peach apricot, encapsulates the essence of a blooming garden in full sunlight. The addition of a woody base adds depth and complexity, balancing the fragrance's sweetness with a touch of earthiness.

Sophie Labbé’s expertise in creating complex and layered fragrances is evident in Jardin de Soleil. Known for her ability to blend diverse notes into harmonious compositions, Labbé's work on this perfume showcases her talent for evoking emotions and imagery through scent. Her creation of Jardin de Soleil not only captures the essence of a summer garden but also aligns perfectly with the fashion trends of the time, making the fragrance a timeless reflection of late 1990s style.

In summary, the launch of Jardin de Soleil by Escada in 1999, created by Sophie Labbé, was a strategic and innovative move in the world of high fashion. The perfume's design, mirroring the vibrant and eclectic trends of the era, provided a perfect complement to Escada’s fashion line, offering consumers a complete and immersive brand experience.

Un jour le parfum, il etait une nuit by Sephora c1996

On December 11, 1996, Sephora opened the largest perfumery in the world on the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris. This grand event marked a significant milestone in the world of fragrance and retail. To celebrate this monumental occasion, Sephora organized a spectacular all-night event on December 21, 1996, called "La Nuit du Parfum," coinciding with the longest night of the year. From 4:55 PM until sunrise at 8:44 AM the following day, the event was a tribute to the artistry of perfume, featuring a gathering of industry experts, designers, and perfumers who shared insights into their craft.

A highlight of the event was the exclusive release of a special edition fragrance, "Un jour le Parfum…Il Etait une nuit." Created specifically for this celebration, the perfume was a limited edition, with only 300 bottles produced. Each bottle was housed in an exquisite crystal flacon designed by the renowned designer Serge Mansau, adding a touch of elegance and luxury to the fragrance. The miniature bottles were distributed at Sephora stores, making them highly sought after and rare collectibles today.

The fragrance name "Un jour le Parfum…Il Etait une nuit" translates to "One Day the Perfume…It Was a Night" in English. This evocative title suggests a narrative or thematic connection to a particular moment or experience related to the night, aligning with the perfume’s celebration of the nocturnal hours and the special event held to mark its launch.

The name captures a sense of storytelling and mystery, reflecting the essence of the event it commemorates—an all-night celebration dedicated to perfume, held on the longest night of the year. It alludes to the notion of a memorable, almost mythical night associated with the fragrance, enhancing the allure and exclusivity of the scent.

Women's Wear Daily reported that the event was not only a grand occasion for attendees but also a globally connected experience, with live satellite broadcasts and Internet interactions allowing perfume enthusiasts worldwide to partake in the festivities. This unique blend of in-person and digital engagement underscored Sephora's innovative approach to celebrating perfume and its rich cultural significance.

Éscarmouche by Jean Desprez c1949

In 1949, the launch of the perfume "Éscarmouche" by Jean Desprez occurred in a period marked by the aftermath of World War II and the beginnings of the Cold War. Europe was in the process of rebuilding, and there was a palpable sense of cultural and societal shifts. France, in particular, was experiencing a resurgence in art, fashion, and literature, with Paris reasserting its role as a global center of creativity and luxury.

Jean Desprez, a perfumer known for his avant-garde approach and bold compositions, chose the name "Éscarmouche" for his new fragrance. The word "Éscarmouche" originates from French and refers to a skirmish or a minor battle, typically of a verbal or physical nature. It connotes a sense of spirited conflict or engagement, often in a playful or romantic context.

The choice of "Éscarmouche" as a perfume name could be interpreted in several ways. Firstly, it suggests a perfume that evokes a sense of adventure, intrigue, and perhaps even flirtation. The name itself is exotic and evocative, appealing to individuals who seek something beyond the ordinary in their fragrance choices.

Those who related to a perfume named "Éscarmouche" might be drawn to its promise of excitement and drama. It could resonate with individuals who see perfume not just as a scent, but as a statement or an accessory to their personal narrative. The response to such a perfume would likely be one of curiosity and a desire to experience its olfactory journey, expecting it to match the boldness and allure implied by its name.

Benevolence by House of Sillage c2012

Benevolence by House of Sillage: launched in 2012. Created by acclaimed French perfumer Francis Camail.

Fracas by Robert Piguet c1945

Fracas by Robert Piguet: launched in 1945, in USA by 1948. Created by Germaine Cellier.

Tresor de la Mer by Lalique for Saks Fifth Avenue c1939

In 1939, Saks Fifth Avenue celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of their department store, which had opened in 1889. To herald this achievement, in 1936, they commissioned a special perfume bottle to be created by master craftsman, Rene Lalique.


Lalique answered the call with a fabulous perfume flacon in the shape of a pearl, hidden inside an giant sea shell box, called the Tresor de la Mer, or Treasure of the Sea.


The opalescent glass object was only made in a limited edition of just 100 examples. The original retail price of this flacon was $50. The clear and frosted opalescent crystal shell was made in hues of oceanic blues and fiery oranges which seemed to glow from within. The giant shell rested on molded aquatic plants and parting waves. Inside, is little spherical perfume flacon rested. The top and bottom of the shell are connected by metal hinges. The shell bottle was presented inside a red velvet presentation box that was lined in gold silk and blue velvet.


The gorgeous perfume presentation was to be shown at the Rene Lalique exhibit at the Saks Fifth Avenue store. Today fewer than three known complete presentations still exist, they are considered rare and holy grails of Lalique perfume bottle collecting.


The most recent example sold for a whopping $180,000 at David Rago Auctions in 2007 thru an eBay live auction.


The presentation is documented in the Marcilhac book on page 949, and in the book Lalique Perfume Bottles by Glenn & Mary Lou Utt.


In 1938, Stage magazine mentioned the flacon:

"Tresor de la Mer, an exclusive Saks V perfume, at $50 an ounce, seems a good idea. It comes in a round pearl- shaped Lalique phial, inside a large Lalique silver-hinged oyster, hurried in a plush container. Such goings-on!"

It is worth noting that an equally rarer bottle was also made for tresor de la Mer, this time it is an oval bottle made up of opalescent glass and molded with a scallop shell pattern. It is topped with a round, disk shaped, opalescent glass stopper molded with gadrooning. The bottle stands 6 1/2". and is fitted with a metallic label towards the bottom of the bottle. This bottle was not made by Lalique but may have been made by Sabino.

Debutante de Versailles by Jean Desprez c1958

As a tribute to the elegant American and French debutantes, the newborn belles of the ball, Jean Desprez created Debutante de Versailles in 1958, a limited edition perfume exclusively created for Daggett & Ramsdell.  The perfume was a tie in to Teleflora's Aura Arrangements campaign line of floral arrangements.

Very Rare Bal A Versailles Perfume Container

Leon Leyritz, a sculptor whose works grace the Paris Opera House, created a statuette of Janus, the Roman god with two faces to hold Bal a Versailles parfum in 1969.