Esterhazy Mixture by Guerlain c1828

Esterhazy Mixture: created by Pierre Francois Pascal Guerlain in 1828. Renamed Eau d'Esterhazy in 1850. Bouquet d'Esterhazy was an old renowned perfume, a former rival of Cologne water, the name is derived from a noble Hungarian family. It later lended its name after a popular snuff blend of the period.

Eau Hegemonienne c1880

L'Eau Hegemonienne: Created in 1880 by Aime Guerlain, it was a personal favorite of Isabella II of Spain, the mother of Alfonso XII, King of Spain, for whom it was created, additionally, the succeeding generations of the Spanish royal family.  It appears to have been available to the general public by 1890 and was created to be a tribute to the hegemonic international alliances between the world's greatest powers.

Esprit de Réséda c1828

Esprit de Réséda: created by Pierre Francois Pascal Guerlain in 1828, 

Le Fleurs de Guildo by Guerlain c1885

Le Fleurs de Guildo, launched by Guerlain in 1885, carries a name evocative of its regional inspiration and cultural significance. "Le Fleurs de Guildo" translates to "The Flowers of Guildo," referencing the picturesque village of Guildo in Brittany, France. The choice of this name suggests a romanticized vision of the French countryside, where the lush flora and serene landscapes inspire a sense of elegance and tranquility.

The name conjures images of vibrant, blooming flowers set against a backdrop of Brittany’s rugged coastlines and quaint village charm. It evokes a romantic, almost pastoral aesthetic, reflecting the delicate and fresh nature of the fragrance. To interpret "Le Fleurs de Guildo" in terms of scent, one might imagine a bouquet of floral notes, reminiscent of the natural flora found in the region, with a subtle hint of the coastal breeze. This evokes an atmosphere of refinement and natural beauty, with a fragrance that captures the essence of a charming, rural escape.

Women of the late 19th century, particularly young women targeted by the marketing of the extrait according to Alice de Laincel's L'art de la toilette chez la femme: bréviaire de la vie élégante, would have been drawn to the fragrance’s association with freshness and natural beauty. The perfume’s name and scent would align with the era's aesthetic values, which celebrated refinement, elegance, and a connection to nature. The late 1800s was a period marked by a growing interest in natural and botanical themes in fashion and fragrance, reflecting a broader societal appreciation for the elegance of the natural world and its influence on personal style.

In this context, "Le Fleurs de Guildo" not only embodied the spirit of its namesake but also catered to the period's taste for sophisticated, nature-inspired fragrances, resonating with women seeking to express their elegance and embrace the beauty of the natural world.

Guerlain's Scented Flannel

The New Yorker, Volume 11, Part 2, 1935:

"At Guerlain's, they have a new way of perfuming your clothes, a scented flannel which you can buy by the roll and cut off in .."

A Parisian's guide to Paris, 1969:

"Thus the only places in Paris where you can buy the famous Guerlain products (perfume, toilet water, marvelous soap, talc, face cream, and even scented flannels which let you perfume your car windows as you wipe them off) are their own .."