Most Successful Perfumes of Our Time
Legendary Scents We Have Loved Throughout the Years
Nowadays it is hip and chic to be wearing smart scents and niche perfumes, those which are hard to find and not as commercial as their previous counterparts. Perfumistas can spend as much as bagistas do on designer handbags, in search of that elusive, unique scent. But it wasn't always like that.
In his books Perfume Legends (1998) and Fragrances of the World (Michael Edwards & Co. 2008) Michael Edwards, the world's leading writer on the subject of perfumes, gives the low-down on some of the most iconic scents of our time.
Since the 1970’s there have been some legendary fragrances which are instantly recognizable because of their own originality. From Calvin Klein's first unisex scent, to the ozonic trend siezed upon by Issey Miyake, to Jean Paul Gaultier's controversially-shaped bottle.
Popular Perfumes from the Past
The first real iconic scent was Chanel No 5, launched in 1921, followed close on its heels by Guerlain’s Shalimar, in 1925 and Jean Patou’s Joy, in 1930, made from 28 dozen Bulgarian roses and 10,600 jasmine blossoms. In 1953 Estée Lauder launched Youth Dew, a favorite of Madonna and Tom Ford, a scent which remains fashionable to this day.
Legendary Scents Since the 1970s
Whether it’s the smell, the packaging, the name, the hype or its appeal to a particular market – each scent has its own uniqueness which broke new ground. Here are some of the most successful scents of our time:
1970s
Charlie – Revlon (1973) — one of the very first truly commercial fragrances which transformed the mindset of perfume wearers everywhere. Previously perfume was often considered a special occasion product. After the launch of Charlie, it became a scent that young, modern women enjoyed wearing everyday.
Anaïs Anaïs – Cacharel (1978) — the first designer perfume specifically aimed at the young. A distinctive fresh, floral scent, which was “the most imitated perfume of the '80s,” according to Michael Edwards (a household name in perfumery), in his book Perfume Legends.
Opium – YSL (1977) — the perfume with a controversial name, as some thought it was advocating drug use. Thirty years on Opium is still one of the most popular, distinctive perfumes. According to Shop Til You Drop magazine (April 2008) in its article, “The Smell of Success,” Opium also has the highest concentration of perfume of any French perfume ever made.
1980s
Poison – Christian Dior. (1985) — controversy surrounding its shocking name and the fragrance was so distinctive it was immediately discernable, with its heady mix of fruity, spicy and musky notes. According to Shop Til You Drop, Poison represented “sex in a bottle” and even though it’s a little dated now, it still has the kudos for anyone with the chutzpah to pull it off.
Beautiful – Estée Lauder (1985) — this perfume’s advertising campaign created such successful imagery of a bride on her wedding day that a bottle of Beautiful became a necessary wedding accessory for real-life brides. It is still one of Estée Lauder's biggest bestsellers.
Obsession – Calvin Klein (1985) — the '80s was the time of heady, powerful scents and Obsession was no exception. Along with 80s power dressing and shoulder pads, women of the Dynasty soap opera-age felt more empowered through wearing it.
1990s
Trésor – Lancôme (1990) — made famous by actress Isabella Rossellini, this fragrance was one of the first to make the celebrity beauty associations. Trésor became and instant classic and is one of the perfumes most loved by men. According to Sophia Grosman perfumier to Michael Edwards men say "they want to hug the person who wears it.”
L’Eau d’Issey – Issey Miyake (1993) — one of the scents to follow the ozonic trend, Issey Miayke’s distinctive fresh and original scent smells like rain.
Classique – Jean Paul Gaultier (1993) — the bottle is instantly recognizable with its womanly shape. Gaultier, famous for designing Madonna’s conical bras for her Blond Ambition tour, controversially placed his fragrance in a bottle in the shape of a woman’s body. There are limited editions of this perfume every year, dressed in different outfits.
CK One – Calvin Klein (1994) — the first modern, unisex perfume which broke records all over the world; becoming a poster-product for the '90s grunge movement. It is still eternally cool.
Tommy Girl – Tommy Hilfiger (1996) — Tommy Girl was one of the first to buy into the lucrative teenage market. Its youthful scent is designed for the young or the young at heart.
Happy – Clinique (1998) — this is one of “the most inoffensive, universally liked perfumes every created, “ according to Shop Til You Drop. Clinque's advertising campaign features women happily singing, dancing, accompanied by the song "C’mon Get Happy" and provided a breath of fresh air was a move away from the smoldering, sensuous fragrance ads. It remains one of the most popular commercial perfumes today. It really does smell like happiness!
References:
- Perfume Legends: French Feminine Fragrances – Michael Edwards (Crescent House Publishing 1998), ISBN: 0646277944
YSL's Distinctive Opium
|
Collage of Commercial Perfumes
|
More in Home & Style
Latest Articles