Thanks to art and literature, we have some idea of what the past looked like and what sorts of things people said and did. But how did the past smell? What scents were popular and that did they mean to people? It’s a question that FIFI nominated perfumer Gérald Ghislain of Histoires de Parfums was so taken with that he was moved to create a series of fragrances that are inspired by influential figures of the eighteenth and nineteenth century, each one named for the year they were born.
But, as intriguing as this concept is, the real appeal of Histoires de Parfums is of course its olfactory excellence. “Many perfumistas revere the ratings from the 'bible' of fragrance criticism, Perfumes: The A-Z Guide, by LucaTurin and Tania Sanchez," says our Curator and Fragrance Expert Michelyn Camen, “These well known fragrance critics gave most of Gérald Ghislain’s collection four-star ratings: two masculines, 1725 and 1828; and all four feminines, 1804, 1826, 1873, and 1876. 1740 holds a coveted five star rating …the highest honor they award a perfumer.”
For women, he has 1804, a warm, amber floral named for writer Georges Sand, who defied convention by adopting a man’s name and wearing men’s clothes; 1826, a sensual amber-patchouli-white flower blend named for Eugénie de Montijo, the last Empress of France and an unabashed fashion plate; and 1873, a refined, citrusy white floral named for the irrepressible novelist Colette, whose lovers included Josephine Baker.
For men (though they’re actually unisex), Ghislain has created 1725, a woody amber-fern scent that’s named for the legendary ladies’ man Casanova; 1740, a spicy bouquet of patchouli and bergamot that’s named for the infamous Marquis de Sade; and 1828, a peppery grapefruit-vetiver mix that’s named for Jules Verne, the father of science fiction.
The scents come in sets of three, one for women that includes 1804, 1826 and 1876 and one for men that includes 1725, 1740 and 1828. The bottles feature sleek and understated labels, and each set is perfectly packaged for travelling, in a padded black case with an elastic closure—so no unpleasant surprises when you open up your suitcase. Now if only you could book a trip back in time to see what Georges Sand, the Empress Eugénie et al thought of your perfume….
Curated by fragrance specialist and Editor in Chief of CaFleurBon.com Michelyn Camen.
Sets of three 0.46 oz/14 ml scents.
Feminine set includes 1804, 1826 and 1876;
Masculine/unisex set includes 1725, 1740 and 1828.
Unique French fragrances inspired by historical figures and named for the years they were born.
Discovered in Paris.
–Mark Behnke, Managing Editor
Editor’s Note: MC introduced M.Ghislain to Ahalife.com after she met this past summer in New York, where they enjoyed a French/Algerian lunch at Jacques on the Upper East Side, where she asked him for his Mom's cous cous recipe. Don’t forget to enter Emmanuelle Varron’s French Gastronomy and Perfume article Leave a comment, get the couscous recipe and (enter our soon to close draw for HdP 1969). BTW, Luca Turin gave 1969 a four star rating