Liz Claiborne by Liz Claiborne c1986

Liz Claiborne by Liz Claiborne: launched in 1986. This is the first fragrance by designer Liz Claiborne. Created by the perfumers at IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances). The idea was for the company to make a fragrance that represented Liz herself.

In 1985, Avon and Liz Claiborne had signed a joint agreement to create and market the new entry. Avon participated in product research, supply and development of the scent. Liz Claiborne Cosmetics were completely responsible for the sales and marketing of the fragrance.

Ocean Dream by Giorgio Beverly Hills c1996

Ocean Dream by Giorgio Beverly Hills, launched in 1996, emerged from a collaborative effort involving Designer Parfums and Proctor & Gamble. This partnership aimed to bring forth a fragrance that would resonate deeply with the essence of southern California, capturing the essence of the region’s iconic beach culture. Crafted by the renowned perfumer Alberto Morillas, Ocean Dream was designed to evoke the serene and invigorating qualities of the ocean, reflecting the omnipresence of the beach in the southern California lifestyle.

Alberto Morillas, known for his ability to create complex and evocative scents, infused Ocean Dream with a fragrance profile that celebrates the coastal allure of the region. The scent was meticulously crafted to encapsulate the fresh, aquatic environment of the beach, blending notes that evoke the feeling of a gentle sea breeze and the beauty of oceanic landscapes. By incorporating elements that resonate with the southern California consciousness, Morillas created a fragrance that was not only a tribute to the physical beauty of the coast but also a sensory representation of the lifestyle and spirit associated with it.

The release of Ocean Dream was more than just the introduction of a new fragrance; it was a celebration of the southern California lifestyle, where the beach is not just a physical place but a cultural touchstone. The fragrance's composition, with its fresh, aquatic, and floral notes, was intended to transport the wearer to the serene and rejuvenating environment of the ocean, capturing the essence of coastal living. This innovative approach to fragrance design, blending artistic creativity with regional inspiration, helped Ocean Dream stand out in the crowded fragrance market, offering a sensory escape to the tranquil beauty of the beach.

The collaboration between Designer Parfums, Proctor & Gamble, and Alberto Morillas was instrumental in bringing Ocean Dream to life, blending expertise in fragrance creation with a deep understanding of the cultural significance of southern California’s beach scene. The result was a fragrance that not only pleased the senses but also resonated with the lifestyle and values of its intended audience, solidifying Ocean Dream as a memorable and evocative addition to the world of perfumery.

Esprit de Phantom by Phantom of the Opera c1988

Esprit de Phantom for women was launched in 1988. Created during the Phantom play craze by Creative Fragrances, Inc. All the spirit, all the romance of the Broadway musical is distilled in a glamorous new fragrance as mysterious and seductive as the drama. Esprit de Phantom. This scent was commissioned to be sold during intermission at the shows. Limited edition souvenir scent from the show (interesting concept).

Dahlia by Arlene Dahl c1976

Dahlia by Arlene Dahl (Parfums Dahlia): launched in 1976. Created by Bud Lindsay of Roure Bertrand Dupont.

Parfums Avenel

Parfums Avenel, founded in 1900 by Louis Avenel, was a distinguished French perfume house located at 24 rue de Rocher in Paris. The company quickly established itself in the fragrance industry, capturing the elegance and sophistication of early 20th-century Parisian style. Its prime location on rue de Rocher, a street known for its proximity to luxury and fashion, underscored Avenel’s commitment to high-quality and exclusive fragrances.

Avenel’s perfumes were not only celebrated in France but also gained significant international recognition, particularly in Great Britain. The company’s ability to appeal to the British market was a testament to its elegant formulations and sophisticated branding, which resonated with the tastes of an elite clientele across the Channel. The successful export of Parfums Avenel's products to Great Britain marked a period of expansion and prominence for the brand, solidifying its reputation as a key player in the global perfume industry of the early 1900s.

Verdigris by Robert Lee Morris c1988

Verdigris by Robert Lee Morris c1988. First scent from the famed New York jewelry designer. Created by the perfumers at the French based essential oil manufacturers, Roure. The scent was named after the greenish metal Morris has made popular in his jewelry designs. He says "it's the greenish patina you find on ancient sculpture and artifacts."

L'Envie Parfum Shampoo & Conditioner c1986

L'Envie Parfum Shampoos & Conditioners debuted in 1986. This was a line of highly perfumed hair products that imitated the best selling perfumes of the era.

"For soft; sensual hair that smells as beautiful as it looks."

It't rich, luxurious formula contained soft emollients to soothe the hair and make it sensually soft to the touch. What it did not contain, was any of the famous perfumes it was imitating.

• Ember Musk: a fragrance similar to classic musk perfumes
• Cypress: a fragrance similar to White Linen
• Legace: a fragrance similar to Vanderbilt
• Siam: a fragrance similar to Opium
• Capture: a fragrance similar to Obsession
• Milano: a fragrance similar to Giorgio

These hair products were not manufactured, licensed nor endorsed by any of the following brands: Giorgio Beverly Hills, Estee Lauder, Gloria Vanderbilt, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent and Coty.

L'Envie was manufactured by S.C. Johnson.

By 1988, the line was dropped as it did not do as well as expected. It was said by fragrance consultant, Barry Jacobs, that women tend to think of perfume as sticky and oily, and this is something you'd expect a shampoo to wash out of your hair. The line did not include scents for men and excluded women who hated fragrance in their shampoos.  "We are close to dumping the line," said one buyer a a leading national drugstore chain.

It was also plagued by legal problems and flawed marketing.

The moment that L'Envie hit retail shelves, the threats from major perfume companies started rolling in. Cosmair, Inc, owner of the Vanderbilt trademark filed suit. Estee Lauder, Inc, the holder of the White Linen trademark, also considered joining in on the lawsuit. Cosmair originally demanded that the 1 million products already on the shelves be pulled.

In 1986, Cosmair had won a temporary restraining order against SC Johnson that prohibited the distribution of its new L'Envie shampoos and conditioners. L'Envie, produced by the Agree shampoo and conditioner line, printed Cosmair's Vanderbilt fragrance title on the containers. Cosmair declared trademark infringement and unfair competition as reasons for the court order. Although SC Johnson claimed to be solely in the shampoo and conditioner selling business, Cosmair charged that its marketing strategies copied those of "knockoff-fragrance marketers" by printing misleading material on the wrapping.

Sued by Cosmair Inc., SC Johnson settled out of court in 1987 by agreeing to add disclaimer stickers to the front of it's bottles. The settlement included an order for a more prominent disclaimer on the package. A temporary restraining order issued in federal court required ads to carry a similar disclaimer. The results satisfied the other fragrance companies.

CLICK HERE TO FIND L'ENVIE SHAMPOO

CLICK HERE TO FIND L'ENVIE CONDITIONER

Privilege by Parfums Privilege c1986

Privilege by Parfums Privilege, launched in 1986, emerged during a time marked by a growing emphasis on luxury and individualism. This era was characterized by a fascination with opulence and exclusivity, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards celebrating personal success and sophisticated tastes. In the mid-1980s, the fragrance industry was embracing bold, distinctive scents that conveyed a sense of grandeur and personal distinction, making Privilege a fitting embodiment of these trends.

The word "privilege" itself evokes images of exclusivity and elite status. It conjures a sense of being part of a select group who are afforded rare and exceptional experiences. In the context of Privilege by Parfums Privilege, the term suggests a perfume that is not just a fragrance but a symbol of high status and refined taste. The press materials highlight this sentiment, portraying the scent as the essence of "glamorous elegance" and "splendor," reserved for those who possess an innate sense of style and sophistication. This portrayal aligns with the perfume's positioning as something extraordinarily special and coveted.

The fragrance is described as being "so rare, so subtly sumptuous, so refinedly elegant" that it is available only in limited quantities, intended for "the fortunate few." This language reinforces the notion of Privilege as an exclusive luxury, designed for those who appreciate the finest things in life. The emotion evoked is one of aspiration and admiration, suggesting that to wear Privilege is to embody a certain elite status and to experience a level of sophistication reserved for a select group. The perfume, thus, not only represents a scent but also a lifestyle and an ideal of exclusivity and refinement.

Diable au Corps by Donatella Pecci Blunt c1990

"Le Diable au Corps" by Donatella Pecci Blunt, launched in 1990 in association with Diana da Silva Cosmétiques, entered the market during a period when the fragrance industry was characterized by a blend of opulence and innovation. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a surge in powerful, statement-making scents, often classified as oriental or floral oriental, which were designed to leave a lasting impression. Fragrances like Calvin Klein's Obsession (1985) and Yves Saint Laurent's Opium (1977) exemplified this trend, with rich, exotic compositions that evoked a sense of mystery and allure.

"Le Diable au Corps," classified as a floral oriental fragrance for women, fit well within this prevailing trend, yet it also carried a unique narrative. The name "Le Diable au Corps," which translates from French to "Devil in the Flesh," is derived from Raymond Radiguet's autobiographical novel of the same name. The novel, published in 1923, recounts a scandalous affair between a sixteen-year-old boy and an older married woman during World War I, written with raw emotion and a sense of youthful defiance. Radiguet, a protégé and lover of Jean Cocteau, infused his work with a provocative edge that challenged societal norms.

The name "Le Diable au Corps" evokes images of forbidden passion and intense, almost rebellious desire. For women in the early 1990s, this name could resonate deeply, reflecting a period of evolving attitudes towards sexuality and independence. The phrase "Devil in the Flesh" conjures a sense of allure and danger, suggesting a perfume that embodies both sensuality and strength.

During this era, films often explored themes of romance, scandal, and the complexities of human relationships, mirroring the emotional depth found in Radiguet's novel. Titles like "Dangerous Liaisons" (1988) and "The Lover" (1992) showcased passionate, tumultuous affairs, aligning well with the seductive narrative of "Le Diable au Corps."

DK Men by Donna Karan c1994

DK Men by Donna Karan: launched in 1994. Created by Jean-Claude Delville.

This fragrance is also known as DK Men Fuel for Men or DK Men Leaded.