Les Parfums de Peyronnet

Les Parfums de Peyronnet, also known as Parfumerie Peyronnet of Paris, was a distinguished perfumery subtitled "à la haie fleuri" (meaning "at the blooming hedge"). The business was also referred to as Parfumerie Peyronnet-Talence and Parfums Peyronnet-Talence in various forms of communication, including a letterhead and a catalog from 1919, indicating the broad recognition of its name and offerings.

Founded in 1897 by Auguste F. Peyronnet at 110 Chemin de Pessac, the perfumery originally began as a small venture in Talence, a suburb of Bordeaux, France. Over the years, the company grew in prominence, producing a variety of fragrant and cosmetic products. Auguste's legacy was later continued by his son, Jean Peyronnet, ensuring that the family business remained under the stewardship of its founders and expanded its reach in the French perfume industry.

Les Parfums de Peyronnet produced a wide range of products beyond perfumes, showcasing the versatility of the brand. In addition to perfumes and eaux de cologne, the company manufactured a variety of personal care items including toothpaste, brilliantines (hair grooming products), mouthwash, and hair lotions. These offerings positioned the company as a comprehensive producer of beauty and hygiene products during a time when grooming was becoming an integral part of daily life.

One of their notable trademarks was Princia, a line that likely became synonymous with their brand, along with their signature Eau de Cologne, which exemplified the timeless French tradition of fine cologne crafting. With its varied and well-rounded product lines, Parfumerie Peyronnet made a significant contribution to the development of French perfumery and cosmetics, remaining a staple in personal care throughout its operational years.

Fath's Love by Jacques Fath c1961

Fath's Love by Jacques Fath: launched in 1961. The name was filed for a US trademark in 1963.

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

Launched in 1966, Vacarme by Madeleine de Rauch made an instant impression, with its presence in the U.S. by 1967. The perfume’s name, sometimes mistakenly spelled as Macrame online, carries a bold and evocative message. Madeleine de Rauch, the visionary behind the fragrance, was a renowned French couturière-turned-perfumer, celebrated for her sophisticated and daring approach to both fashion and fragrance. Known for creating scents that embodied powerful femininity, de Rauch was unafraid to challenge conventions, and the name Vacarme encapsulates this rebellious spirit.

The word Vacarme comes from the French language, meaning "uproar" or "commotion," and is pronounced as "vah-karhm" (with a soft, rolling 'r'). It is a word that conveys an atmosphere of vibrant noise, liveliness, and intensity, instantly evoking a scene charged with energy. Choosing such a name for a perfume reflects the audacious and confident character that de Rauch wanted to communicate. In a time when women were beginning to break societal boundaries and express their individuality more boldly, a fragrance named Vacarme would have resonated as a symbol of liberation. It suggests not a quiet, demure fragrance but one that demands attention, urging women to embrace their presence and voice in the world.

Vacarme would have evoked vivid images and emotions—sultry evenings filled with an air of mystery, the rustle of luxurious fabrics, and the intoxicating allure of an untamed, feline sensuality. The word itself stirs thoughts of chaotic passion and powerful femininity, an unstoppable force that could command a room. Women of the 1960s, amid the rise of feminism and social change, might have found Vacarme to be a fragrance that mirrored their desire for self-expression and boldness. Wearing a perfume with such a name would have felt like a declaration of independence, a rejection of societal expectations for quiet modesty.

The scent itself is classified as a warm green woody floral, with pronounced notes of jasmine and rose, ingredients often associated with deep sensuality and femininity. The jasmine brings an exotic, narcotic sweetness, while the rose adds a rich, velvety floralcy that evokes passion. Together, these two flowers form the heart of a fragrance that is both sultry and sophisticated, while the green and woody accords ground it with a sense of natural vitality and strength. Vacarme embodies the idea of a woman who is unapologetically herself—wild, strong, and undeniably sensual.

When imagining how Vacarme translates into scent, the fragrance can be interpreted as an olfactory journey through lush, verdant woods at twilight. The green, woody facets may invoke a sense of raw nature—a cool, forested path shaded by trees with fragrant flowers in bloom. This is contrasted with the heat and intensity of jasmine and rose, which bloom and swirl around the wearer like an intoxicating embrace. It is a "sultry" scent, rich and warm, evoking feelings of warmth against bare skin, and the contrast between day’s end and the cool of dawn.

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.