Cleopatra's Boudoir

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!

Monday, August 31, 2015

Ciao by Houbigant c1980

Ciao by Houbigant: launched in 1980. Created by Givaudan Perfumers.

Jean de Parys

Parfums de Jean de Parys, a distinguished fragrance house, was founded in 1914 by Jean Cousin in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris situated in the Seine department. This Parisian brand quickly gained a reputation for creating exquisite perfumes that embodied the sophistication and elegance of French perfumery.

The brand's influence extended across the Atlantic when Arthur Feldman, operating under the name Jean de Parys in New York, secured the trademark for the name in the United States in 1924. Feldman recognized the growing demand for luxury beauty products in America and sought to bring the allure of Parisian fragrances to an eager American audience.

By 1925, Feldman had partnered with J. H. Wisan and L. Ashworth to establish the Jean de Parys Corporation in New York City. With an initial capital of $25,000, they set out to produce not only perfumes but also a range of beauty products, including face creams, powders, and rouge. This expansion marked a significant step in the brand's evolution, allowing it to establish a strong foothold in the competitive American market.

Through its Parisian roots and strategic business moves in the United States, Parfums de Jean de Parys became a symbol of transatlantic luxury, blending the artistry of French perfumery with the entrepreneurial spirit of New York.

What are Green Fragrances?

Fragrances can be classified by certain olfactive families, or themes, or accords.

Green:

the odor of a crushed leaf characterized by a fresh, clean, natural, outdoorsy scent and can include pine, mint, lavender, camphor and herbal notes. These notes are often found in men’s colognes and women’s sporty perfumes. The subdivision of classification in this family is floral green.

Guimet & Valois

Established by Rudolph Storfer in Paris; launched a range of fragrance in the 1920's and 1930's. the company also had an outlet in New York. Guimet produced perfumes, bath salts, body powders and soaps. Guimet was affiliated to Valois.

Elgin American Compacts c1938 Advertisement

Elgin American compacts shown in an advertisement from a 1938 N. Shure catalog. You can see various enameled, engine turned and cloisonne compacts.

Hula by Roxy c1998

Hula by Roxy: launched in 1998. Roxy is a brand of women's surf and sportswear manufactured by Quicksilver since 1991.

Vacarme by Madeleine de Rauch c1966

Vacarme by Madeleine de Rauch: launched in 1966, in USA by 1967. The name means "uproar" or "racket"in French. The perfume is sometimes incorrectly spelled Macrame online.

Vintage Boudoirs of the Stars - Part 6

Vivian Blaine, c1930s-1940s, Shalimar by Guerlain, and possibly a Czech crystal bottle to the left, Charbert bottle on right.

Virginia Mayo, c1940s,

Toby Wing, c1930s, gorgeous long handled mirror

Toby Wing, c1930s, gorgeous mirror, another view

Sonja Henie, c1940s, Shocking by Schiaparelli, Salut by Schiaparelli box, Vol de Nuit by Guerlain, not sure what else,

Simone Simon, c1930s-1940s, stunning Lalique or Czech tiara perfume bottle to the back of the vanity.

Ruth Hussey, c1940s, gorgeous mirror fronted vanity table.

Myrna Loy, c1920s, various DeVilbiss perfume atomizers on her vanity.

Monday, August 17, 2015

So You Want to Buy a Fragrance from The Vermont Country Store?

Before you make a purchase on one of your favorite discontinued perfumes, please keep in mind that it may NOT be the same as what you wore years ago. The Vermont Country Store carries two types of perfumes: those made directly from the original manufacturers such as Lanvin, Jean Patou, etc.

The other type is the recreated vintages made by a new company, usually Long Lost Perfumes/Irma Shorell and Timeless Perfumes/Evyan Perfumes Inc, but they are NOT the genuine formula. No one knows the genuine formulas so they attempt to recreate it. Sometimes they get it very close to the original, but on some fragrances reviewers say they are way off.

Celluloid Toilet Sets Advertising Catalog Page c1894

Celluloid, Zylonite and White Florence Toilet Sets/Dresser Sets/Vanity Sets taken from an 1893/1894 Marshall Fields catalog. Notice the fancy molded pattern on several of the sets including some Japanese influenced Aesthetic styles.