Hello and welcome! Please understand that this website is not affiliated with Guerlain in any way, it is only a reference site for collectors and those who have enjoyed the classic fragrances of days gone by. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. The main objective of this website is to chronicle the 200+ year old history of the Guerlain fragrances and showcase the bottles and advertising used throughout the years. Let this site be your source for information on antique and vintage Guerlain perfumes. Another goal of this website is to show the present owners of the Guerlain company how much we miss many of the discontinued classics and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back these fragrances! I invite you to leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the fragrance, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or on what occasion, what it smelled like to you, how it made you feel, any specific memories, what it reminded you of, maybe a relative wore it, or you remembered seeing the bottle on their vanity table), who knows, perhaps someone from the current Guerlain brand might see it. If you have any questions, please send all images of your bottle and pertinent information directly to me at cleopatrasboudoir@gmail.com. I will try to assist you the best I can.

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Showing posts with label empire flacon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label empire flacon. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Apres L'Ondee by Guerlain c1906

Après L'Ondée by Guerlain, launched in 1906 and created by Jacques Guerlain, is a poetic and evocative name that perfectly reflects the inspiration behind the fragrance. In French, "Après L'Ondée" translates to "After the Shower" or "After the Rain," capturing the delicate and fleeting moment when the rain has passed, and nature begins to stir again under the warmth of the sun. Pronounced "AHPRAY-LUNDAY," the name itself conjures a sense of tranquility and renewal, a moment of peace after the storm. Jacques Guerlain, known for his love of nature and the emotional landscapes it evokes, likely chose this name to encapsulate the gentle beauty of a spring garden refreshed by rain—a theme of renewal, rebirth, and the fleeting beauty of life.

The phrase "Après L'Ondée" brings to mind soft images of a misty garden, where drops of rain still cling to flower petals and leaves, and the air is filled with the scent of wet earth, damp grass, and blooming flowers. It evokes a calm, reflective mood—perhaps a sense of nostalgia or longing—creating an atmosphere that is both serene and wistful. The perfume was inspired by the smell of nature after a spring rain, known as petrichor, and blends this natural scent with the warmth of flowers that have been gently kissed by the sun. The name itself stirs up emotions of freshness, purity, and a delicate sense of melancholy, capturing the beauty of transitory moments in nature and life.

In scent, Après L'Ondée is interpreted as soft, powdery, and floral, reflecting the freshness of a garden after a rain shower. Based on the formula for Voilette de Madame, it combines violet, iris, and heliotrope with hints of warm spice and subtle earthiness, representing the interplay between rain-drenched flowers and the return of sunshine. The fragrance evokes the clean, crisp smell of the air, touched with a light sweetness from the blooming flowers and a gentle warmth from the earth beneath. It captures both the freshness of rain and the comforting warmth that follows, creating a fragrance that feels ethereal yet grounded.

For women in the early 1900s, a perfume called Après L'Ondée would have likely evoked a romantic and poetic sentiment. This was a period of optimism and refinement, at the height of the Belle Époque, where art, culture, and beauty flourished. Women of the time were becoming more engaged with the emerging modern world, but they also held onto ideals of grace, nature, and beauty. A fragrance that drew from the imagery of nature and the beauty of a post-rain garden would have resonated with their desire for elegance, refinement, and emotional expression. The softness and naturalistic inspiration behind the fragrance would appeal to their appreciation for art, poetry, and the symbolic beauty of fleeting moments in life.



Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Lavande by Guerlain c1833

Launched in 1833 by Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain, Lavande epitomized the elegance and refinement of early 19th-century perfumery. The name "Lavande," derived from the French word for lavender, evokes a sense of tranquility and purity. Lavender, with its deep roots in both traditional medicine and personal care, was a symbol of freshness and cleanliness. The choice of this name would have immediately suggested a fragrance that was both soothing and invigorating, reflecting the calming properties of the lavender flower.

The scent of Lavande would have been interpreted as an aromatic, herbaceous blend, with lavender at its core, offering a crisp and refreshing top note. This fragrance would likely have featured the clean, floral aroma of lavender, complemented by subtle green and slightly woody undertones that would evoke images of serene lavender fields in full bloom.

In the 19th century, lavender was a popular choice for perfumes, and many perfumeries carried their own variations. The choice to name a perfume Lavande thus aligned with contemporary trends, while also reflecting Guerlain’s commitment to capturing the essence of this well-loved floral note. For women of that era, a perfume named Lavande would have been both fashionable and reassuring, offering a blend of sophistication and natural elegance. It would have appealed to their desire for a fragrance that embodied freshness and refinement, mirroring the broader trends in perfumery that celebrated both natural beauty and innovative scent compositions.