Max Factor, Primitif

Photographic image dated 1962

Coty, Chypre de


1959 announcing the return of a world renown perfume by Coty

Jean Patou, Joy

Oh Joy. Le parfum le plus cher ... Late Seventies image

Jacques Heim, Shandoah

Paris Vogue 1979

Rochas, Mystère


New in 1979

Barocco, Fever

Air-brush artwork from the late Seventies

Van Cleefs & Arpels, First


Screaming luxury. Paris Vogue 1979

Weil, Padisha

1947 advertisement for Padisha

Lenthéric, Tweed, Miracle, Shanghai

1947. Left to right, Tweed, Miracle and Shanghai. 20 years' later Tweed is re-launched as a 'happening' perfume for young women

Lenthéric, Tweed

Part of a re-launch campaign in 1968. Harris Tweed fabric is echoed in new packaging. Tweed 'is really happening this autumn'

Atkinson, Chantage, À Toi

From the pages of Vogue magazine 1968

Paquin, Espoir


Espoir de Paquin, as portrayed in 1947

Lancôme 1947

A bouquet by Lancôme to mark the Royal Wedding. This image was published in 1947

Lucien Lelong, Jabot

Lucien Lelong's Jabot with tied bow stopper. This beautifully illustrated advt from 1947

Dana, Platine

Introduced in Paris the year before the war, Platine was claimed to be so preciously regarded it was sold almost by the drop to only the chic-est women in Europe. Who knows how much of this is true! Photo by Rawlings, jewels by Harry Winston. $22.50/ounce in 1944

Hattie Carnegie, Hypnotic

Hattie Carnegie Hypnotic 'sphinx-like, mysterious'. Photo by Fernand Fonssagrives, a leading beauty photographer of the 1940s. This ad from 1944 Harper's Bazaar

Ciro, Danger

1943 Kodachrome image by Edward Jacobsen for parfums Ciro. Danger. Caption reads 'There's no escaping it! And there's no escaping your duty: Buy more War Bonds'.

1940s Corday

Early 1940s Corday. Clockwise from top: L'Ardente Nuit, Orchidee Bleue, Tzigane, Possession, Jet, Toujours Moi. Illustration by Bobri

Schiaparelli, Shocking Radiance

Harper's Bazaar, 1944. Illustration by Salvadore Dali. The 4 oils of Schiaparelli. Cleanse-smooth-perfume body, face, eyelids and lips ...

D'Orsay, Toujours Fidèle

1939 advertisement with Baccarat bulldog bottle in foreground

L T Piver, Vallée des Rois


Advertisement from 1925 Vogue magazine

Michel Pleville, Le Secret de la Perle

1927 photographic image showing original packaging for Michel Pleville's Le Secret de la Perle

Lenthéric, au fil de l'eau


Fabulous Art Nouveau artwork for 1924 press advertisment. One of Lenthéric's earliest creations, au fil de l'eau

Guerlain, Mitsouko

A perfume created in 1919. Date of this advertisment unknown, thought to be 1930s

Weil, Cassandre and Zibeline


Press advertisement 1939. Cassandre and Zibeline in Baccarat bottles. Parfum Weil - Paris, London and New York

Varva, Suivez Moi (Follow Me)

Press advertisement from 1942 Vogue magazine for parfum Suivez Moi, Varva of New York. Retailed 1$ - $10

Jean Patou, Lasso


1954 press advertisement for the 'new' perfume by Jean Patou although cursory investigation suggests that this perfume dates from the 1930s

Corday, Tzigane and Possession


Two very popular 1940s names by Corday, a perfume house with a fascinating history

Worth, Dans La Nuit




Here is Worth's dans la nuit in its fabulous Lalique bottle. To the left, an advertisement from launch year, and to the right 1926. Presentation is everything.

Lucien Lelong, Indiscret


This ad appeared in 1935. Let's hope it lived up to its name

Vigny, Golliwogg


From the creators of La Fleur Céleste and Chick-Chick. Endearing or offensive? This ad appeared in 1924

Lenthéric, Miracle, Au Fil de L'Eau, Le Matin au Bois


Art Deco styling for 'Miracle', 'au fil de l'eau', and 'le matin au bois'. This ad appeared in 1926. Drawing thought to be by Georges Lepape. What do you think?

Babani, Ambre de Delhi


Back cover of vintage Vogue magazine, 1919. Exotic Indian theme in black and gold with red highlights

Norman Hartnell, Fanfare


Norman Hartnell 'Fanfare' advertisement dated 1954. The perfume was launched in 1940

Coty, Paris


1939 advertisement for 'Paris' by Coty. Launched in the 1920s this perfume is one of many perfumes named after this inspirational city

Guerlain, Vega


'Vega' de Guerlain launched 1936. Sublime Art Deco illustration by Darcy. Later re-launched as part of Guerlain's Legacy Collection.

Mary Dunhill, White Hyacinth


Mary Dunhill's 'White Hyacinth' promoted as America's newest perfume fashion. This ad appeared in 1942

L.T. Piver, Volt


'Volt' launched in 1922. This advertisement dates from 1924. Illustrator, Georges Lepape