Welcome!

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!

Friday, July 18, 2014

Hot Weather Colognes by Dorothy Gray

 Dorothy Gray Hot Weather Cologne was launched in 1940 and over the years, came in several different scents:

  • Jasmine Bouquet 
  • Rose Geranium Bouquet 
  • Natural
  • Sweet Spice
  • June Bouquet
  • White Lilac
  • Summer Song
  • Elations
  • Floral Fantasy 


The bottles came in a large 6 ½ oz size and in 8 oz sizes, enough to last you all summer long. They retailed at $2.00, and in later years they would go on sale for $1.00.

Some advertisements had the tagline “The sale you wait for each summer! Play it cool…splash on refreshing Hot Weather Cologne by Dorothy Gray.”

Another ad advised you where to apply the fragrance: “Keep cool and collected throughout hot, sticky weather, active sports, travel. Swish Dorothy Gray Hot Weather Cologne on temples, wrists, nape of neck, all over you after shower. Wonderfully refreshing! Makes a delightful light summer perfume, body rub.

Other products were introduced by 1953, Purse Stick Cologne Cooler and Jumbo Stick Cologne Cooler in 2 ¼ oz glass containers. I think these were solid perfume sticks or they were just liquid in small vials. Scents available: Night Drums, White Lilac, Golden Orchid, Summer Song, Summer Bouquet, Mimosa, Love Song, Nosegay & Sweet Spice. These retailed for $1.00, $1.25, and $1.50, prices determined by scents and sizes.

Also a Cool Touch Cologne Gel Fragrance Stick, which may have been styled after the Cologne Coolers of earlier years, this time in a gel form. Other matching items were dusting powders, soaps, and a body moisturizer spray. This frosty spray was a delightful foam that cooled as it moisturized, leaving skin satin smooth, it was recommended as a refresher to be applied after a shower or bath.

Hot Weather Colognes were sold up until around 1966.


Les Creations Guyla

Les Creations Guyla, established in 1926 at 40 rue de Paris, Epinay-sur-Seine, they made exceptional rare presentations. Guyla's bottles were in the shape of champagne flutes, decorated with hand painted floral designs by Paul Poiret's company Atelier Martine. Guyla was a very short lived company and not much info is to be found on them.

Divin Narcisse was a floral fragrance with notes of camomile, myrtle, spices, ylang-ylang, jasmine, patchouli, vetiver, amber and sandalwood.

Divin Narcisse, was presented in a very rare colorless glass vial shaped like a champagne glass,  two very thin blown glass walls, the fragrance is contained between the two. Beautiful enameled decoration of colored flowers. Label on golden tassel. Gold embossed label under the base. It is possible to find these bottles with different hand painted enamel decoration as each one is one of a kind.






The perfumes of Guyla:

  • 1926 Caresse Parisienne
  • 1926 Divin Narcisse
  • 1926 Charmes de Toute Heure
  • 1926 Embuscade du Coeur

Oviatt Perfumes

Oviatt, a department store in Los Angeles, California. The Oviatt Building was completed in 1927, and had Lalique glass panels.

Commissioned by Oviatt, Lalique created their bell shaped perfume bottle for Le Parfum des Anges. Bottle created for the opening of the Oviatt-Alexander Building in 1927. The design includes the seal of the City of Los Angeles. Lalique was apparently never paid for this commission.

Les Parfums de Nice-Flore

Nice-Flore, established in 1919 at 54 route du Var, Nice, France, by Union Francaise de Parfumerie et de Maroquinerie, they sold leather goods and perfume. They also traded under the name Nice-Flora.

Parfums Pierre Dune

Parfums Pierre Dune, established in October 1938 at 49 rue de Prony in Paris, emerged during a period of significant turbulence, marked by the looming threat of war and the socio-economic challenges of the time. Edmond Rosens, the visionary behind this venture, demonstrated remarkable courage in founding a new perfume house amidst such instability. The endeavor to create and launch Parfums Pierre Dune was not merely a business venture but a bold statement of resilience and optimism.

By January 1939, Parfums Pierre Dune introduced its first collection, a range of five floral fragrances known as the Flower Evocations. Each scent in this collection was crafted to capture the essence and beauty of a specific flower, aiming to evoke a sensory experience that would transport the wearer to a world of natural elegance and refinement. The five perfumes in this initial launch were Rose, Oeillet, Tubereuse, Violette, and Orchidee, each named after the flower it represented.

The Rose fragrance offered a classic and timeless aroma, embodying the romantic and rich scent of blooming roses. Oeillet, inspired by the spicy and vibrant carnation, provided a more daring and lively bouquet. Tubereuse brought forth the intoxicating and creamy notes of tuberose, a flower known for its powerful and heady scent. Violette, with its delicate and powdery aroma, aimed to capture the gentle and sweet essence of violet flowers. Finally, Orchidee delivered an exotic and mysterious fragrance, reflecting the unique and complex nature of orchids.

The launch of these perfumes marked an ambitious beginning for Parfums Pierre Dune, setting the foundation for the brand's future in the competitive world of luxury fragrances. Despite the challenges posed by the era, the introduction of the Flower Evocations collection showcased Edmond Rosens' dedication to the art of perfumery and his commitment to bringing beauty and sophistication to the world through his creations.





Les Parfums de Mistinguett

Les Parfums de Mistinguett was established in 1921 by the Parisian star of the Folies Bergere, Mistinguett. The luxury perfume boutique was located at 24 boulevard des Capucines, in Paris.

Maurice Blanchet of Coryse (later Coryse Salome) was commissioned to create Mistinguett's perfumes and were produced in his factory in Suresnes. Les Parfums des Mistinguett only stayed in business until 1925, for reasons unknown.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Monna Vanna

Monna Vanna, established in 1920 in Britain, Then Moved to at 120-122 rue Borghese, Neuilly (Seine) France. The name was adopted from the title of the play by Maeterlinck.




A. Bertelli

Established by Mario Bertelli in of 26 via Paolo Frisi, Milan Italy in 1888, the company produced pharmaceuticals. When they started selling perfumes, the perfumerie was later named Societa A. Bertelli  and their luxurious presentations were produced in France. In addition to perfumes, coordinating powder sachets could also be purchased.




Parfums Ramey

Parfums Ramey, a prestigious perfume house, was founded in 1913 by Georges Herman. The company was originally established at 332 rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, a location renowned for its luxury boutiques and historical significance in the world of fashion and fragrance.

In the same year, Georges Herman also founded Laboratoires des Produits Radiaces. This laboratory was dedicated to the development and production of innovative cosmetic and beauty products. The simultaneous establishment of both Parfums Ramey and Laboratoires des Produits Radiaces highlights Herman's vision and commitment to advancing the beauty and fragrance industry through scientific research and high-quality products.

Midnight by Tussy c1949

 Midnight by Tussy: launched in 1949 and was sold at drugstores, marketed as a glam, refreshing, magical and romantic perfume. It was as popular as Evening in Paris in the 1950s-1960s.  


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