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Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Bridal Bouquet by Guerlain c1830

Launched during the 1830s, Bridal Bouquet by Guerlain is a fragrance whose name evokes both elegance and celebration. The term "Bridal Bouquet," derived from English, refers to the arrangement of flowers traditionally carried by a bride on her wedding day. This name was chosen to convey a sense of purity, romance, and festivity, aligning the fragrance with the joyous occasion of a wedding.

The imagery and emotions evoked by "Bridal Bouquet" are deeply rooted in the romanticism of the 19th century. The name conjures visions of delicate, lush floral arrangements, symbolizing new beginnings and the timeless beauty of a bride. It suggests a scent that is both fresh and refined, capturing the essence of the bouquet carried by brides—an emblem of purity and joy.

In terms of scent, "Bridal Bouquet" would likely have been interpreted as a rich floral composition, with an emphasis on orange blossoms. These blossoms were traditionally used in bridal bouquets and symbolize purity, fertility, and eternal love. The fragrance would have been crafted to reflect the traditional and cherished flowers used in these ceremonial arrangements, offering a scent that was both celebratory and sophisticated.

During the 19th century, the perfume market was burgeoning with floral fragrances, many of which were inspired by the beauty and symbolism of flowers. Bridal Bouquet by Guerlain, with its emphasis on orange blossoms, fit seamlessly into this trend but distinguished itself by specifically aligning with the bridal theme. This focus on a fragrance evocative of a bride’s bouquet offered a unique marketing angle, appealing to the romantic ideals and social customs of the time. It resonated with women seeking to capture the elegance and celebratory nature of weddings in their everyday lives, setting the fragrance apart from other floral offerings on the market.

Overall, Bridal Bouquet by Guerlain was both a reflection of its time and a unique entry into the floral fragrance market, embodying the charm and significance of the traditional bridal bouquet

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Bouquet de Caroline by Guerlain c1837

Bouquet de Caroline, a fragrance launched by Guerlain in 1837, was named in honor of Caroline of Brunswick. Born Caroline Amelia Elizabeth on May 17, 1768, Caroline of Brunswick became Queen of the United Kingdom and Hanover through her marriage to King George IV. She held the title of Princess of Wales from 1795 until she ascended to queen on January 29, 1820, a position she held until her death on August 7, 1821.

Queen Caroline was renowned for her vibrant personality and strong connection with the British people, which contributed to her widespread popularity. Bouquet de Caroline was crafted to reflect the elegance and charm associated with her persona, capturing the essence of her public appeal and the distinguished period of her reign. The perfume's launch in 1837,some years after her passing, underscores Guerlain's tribute to a figure who left a lasting impression on British society.





Sunday, January 7, 2024

Industria Argentina

Prior to 1930, an Argentinian bottle with the extremely rarely seen label "GUERLAIN PARIS Bs. AIRES", and the words "Extracto" (perfume extract) and "Industria Argentina" in addition to "L'HEURE BLEUE". 

One often forgets that Argentina, before WWII, had an extremely wealthy upper class and was, until the 1920's, the main non-European luxury export market. It was passed by the United States only around 1920. The bottle has 2 additional labels in the back: "contenido 20 cc neto" (net content 2/3 fl.oz) and "Guerlain Perfumista S.A, graduacion alcoolica 37 gr" (Guerlain Perfumers, 37-proof alcool). 

Under the bottom of the bottle, "GUERLAIN INDUSTRIA ARGENTINA " is molded into the glass.

Contrary to the boxes sold in Europe and in the USA at the time, the word GUERLAIN was not printed on the outside cardboard. The back of the box had a small label with the name and address of the retailer most likely from the downtown part of Buenos Aires. 



Here are two carre flacons for Jicky, the old labels are marked "Extrait Jicky" and "Industria Argentina" at the top of the label, as you can see, the labels are in very bad shape. The base of the bottle is embossed with "Guerlain France Paris" and the one side has the Woman with Flags logo. The bottle is 4.0" approx. tall. This finished product was produced in Argentina with Guerlain's imported French concentrated extracts for the South American market.