Vintage Fragrance Review: Parfums Ciro Danger (J.S. Wiedhopf) 1938+ Not For The Timid Draw

Vintage CIRO Paris AD

Throughout the years of my perfume exploration I have come across many different Houses that flew under my radar just patiently waiting to be discovered. Recently on a trip to Mexico I came across an empty mini of a perfume called Danger by Ciro.  Of course, I immediately started researching what Ciro was.  Unfortunately, my search for a bottle was futile.  It seems there is very little information left, but thank goodness for The Perfumed Court who has a fabulous selection of decants available to feed my curiosity where the rest of history left off!  I mean, how I could not be interested in a vintage which name proclaims it’s a danger! 

Parfums Ciro was created by a very important personality in the world of perfume, Mr. J.S. Wiedhopf (more on him later).  What’s interesting is the creation of the house went hand in hand with his love of Caron perfumes.  How is that?   Prior to starting his own House, he imported Caron perfumes into the United States to sell in his New York City boutique/store, the Guy T. Gibson Company.  As many readers well know, Caron holds a special place in my heart (as well as for many other perfumistas ); so, finding out this little tidbit increased my fascination even further! 

A newspaper clipping featuring J.S. Wiedhopf of  Parfums CIRO 

Inspired by the wonderful creations of Caron’s Ernest Daltroff, Wiedhopf imported Daltroff’s fragrances throughout the 1920’s and 30’s for sale in America. Through their success his fascination into the world of perfumery grew and throughout the two decades he sought to produce more perfumes and now he was at the helm and chose the name Ciro.  Between 1936-1939 the endeavor became a full-fledged enterprise.  In 1939 he changed the company name to Parfums Ciro, Inc (based in Paris) and a new House was officially born. 

CIRO Vintage Perfume ad circa 1940s

The House became a success.  Parfums Ciro was presented as an upper-tier perfumerie available for the masses. Its focus was to be as accessible as a drugstore perfume, but as elegant as any French perfume (mainly Caron). The perfumes were marketed and advertised so elegantly, and in a such a stately manner, that they were very hard for the public to resist. The timing was perfect…it was exactly what the public wanted and they bought it willfully and quite affordably.  Wiedhopf masterfully managed this so well that he fact went on to become the very first President of The Fragrance Foundation. The man was and is an unsung hero and legend of the perfume industry.

Racy (for those days) copy for CIRO Danger "Be woman enough to wear it..be man enough to give it"

The House flourished until the mid-1960’s when it officially closed its doors. In its wake it left a large number of perfumes that have, unfortunately, been lost to the hands of time.  In many ways this fact puzzles me given the history of its founder.  Interestingly, I have not been able to find any particular perfumer involved with any of the perfumes either. So, the veil of mystery lost through the sands of time will have to wait a little longer to be revealed (if ever). Danger was released in 1938, so it could be considered a mid to early period perfume for the house, and one of the first under Parfums Ciro, Inc. officially.  Upon launch the advertising pulled no punches, Danger was “not for the timid”.  It dared men to purchase it for their ladies and “face the consequences” of what it will wrought upon them.  Obviously, this was a bit eyebrow raising and certainly brings in a certain sexuality into the mix. That be said, it certainly isn’t overt. 

Hedy Lamarr by Laszlo Willinger, 1940

Upon application we are greeted with a syrupy/creamy rose augmented with vivacious lavender and a vanillic undertone that is simply scrumptious.   It is DARK, as in glamourous dark and sexy, but not vixen like.  I simply cannot escape her allure if I tried – this is, as I suspected, definitely up my alley.  An actress that immediately popped into my mind was Hedy Lamarr.  I could very easily see her wearing this as her star started to rise.  The fragrance is as alluring as she was, and holds all the many distinct qualities that set her and it apart from the others.  It represented brains, beauty, and a bit of a threat to masculinity.  After all, Hedy was also an established scientist/inventor…certainly enough to make many a man intrigued and somewhat scared…making for a bit of a dangerous situation indeed! 

Hedy Lamarr smoking in the 1933 movie Ecstasy

In the middle stage the perfume becomes a spicier affair with a hint of leather and slight tobacco in the mix.  At this stage I can detect some similarities to vintage Caron such as Tabac Blond and Bellodgia.  Also in the mix are aspects of Guerlain's Djedi (a pleasant and unexpected surprise!)  However, deep down it differs from each of them enough to make it distinctive. 

Hedy Lamarr in the movie Samson and Delilah

It is much sweeter and more gourmand than its predecessors (except for Djedi).  Here a wonderful cinnamon and slight anise mixes with the tobacco/leather and vanilla to give us an irresistible oriental-gourmand delight (it reminds me of Cinnamon Elephant Ears common at summer fairs and festivals). Actually, in certain ways, it’s not unlike a distant smoking a cigar in a bakery, in the most tasteful of terms, of course…it is unusual, but it works. In the dry down an oriental-gourmand marriage is quite evident. 

1930s Hedy Lamarr

The vanillic aspects are still clear, but better defined as a hefty dose of balsamic resins rather than straightforward vanilla. The leather note from now shows the more animalic aspects of castoreum propped up with a bit of musk is absolutely delectable. Underneath it all,  glorious sandalwood is covered in a blanket of purest honey, amber, and civet that literally lasts for hours and hours and hours. The scent envelops you in a warm comforting aura that makesfor an exciting journey from beginning to end.   I will definitely spring for a full bottle, if I ever come across it affordably. 

Disclaimer: Review based on an Extrait decant from Perfumed Court. Your graciousness is always appreciated. Opinions are my own.

Aaron Potterman, Contributor and Vintage Perfume Expert

Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief: Art Direction

Thanks to The Perfumed Court we have 1 ml glass vial of vintage Parfums Ciro Danger Extrait,  which is very rare and hard to find for a registered reader worldwide. To be eligible, you must be a registered reader and sign up for The Perfumed Court Newsletter . Please leave a comment with what appeals to you about this very precious vintage fragrance, if you had heard of Parfums Ciro  Danger before and where you live.Please state that you subscribe to TPC in your comment.  Draw closes 4/12/2017

We announce the winner on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS Feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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17 comments

  • RoseMacaroon says:

    Oh my, what an intriguing profile! I’m such an admirer of the kind of femininity likened to this scent; if I don’t win the draw, I just hope I get to smell it before I die!

  • MichelleU says:

    To me it appeals the dark glamour aura of this vintage scent, love the whole review but the pictures gave this review a touch of elegance an charm.

    I have not heard of Parfum Ciro till’ I have read this glowing review.

    I have subscribed!

    I am a reader from the EU. Wish you all the best!

  • NiceVULady says:

    I’m very drawn to most vintage fragrances. Anything that can connote Hedy Lamarr must be amazing. She was a most incredible woman. I’ve never heard of Ciro perfumes before now. I do subscribe to TPC. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • ntabassum92 says:

    That drydown of honey, amber, and civet that just lingers and lingers sounds like a dream. I love vintage drydowns, they are so comforting and just last – they are the best part of the fragrance! I think I have heard of Parfums Ciro Danger before, I am very fond of reading about vintage perfumes. I am in the US, and I am a subscriber to TPC 🙂

  • What a fascinating read! Everything sounds right up my alley with this scent, especially the reference to Tabac Blond.
    I had not heard of Parfums Ciro Danger before. I live in the U.S. And subscribe to the TPC newsletter.
    Thank you for the chance to win this rare perfume.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Don’t enter me in this draw but I have a feeling I have danger ciro cologne somewhere in the storage. I first became aware of this house in 2011 or 2012.

  • I love vintage fragrances and I would love to try danger by Ciro. I am not familiar with the house so I really loved the back story too
    USA and I subscribe to TPC

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Thanks for the wonderful review. Sounds great! Never heard before of Danger. Not entering in the draw.

  • doveskylark says:

    I love Hedy Lamar- she was so intelligent and so beautiful. I also love any fragrance that has echoes of Tabac Blonde. I’ve never heard of Ciro perfumes.
    I live in the USA. I subscribe to The Perfumed Court.

  • I’ve never heard of this house but I’m a big fan of the history of fragrance and vintage perfumes. This one sounds very warm and inviting! I’m in Canada and thanks for the draw!

  • I have not heard of Parfums Ciro Danger, but this precious vintage fragrance appeals to me because it is a scent my grandmother or mother may have worn. I live in the US and subscribe to TPC.

  • What really draw my attention with this perfume Danger from Ciro House which of course I have never heard of and was not aware that it existed is the following part of review that mentions the following:
    Upon application we are greeted with a syrupy/creamy rose augmented with vivacious lavender and a vanillic undertone that is simply scrumptious.   It is DARK, as in glamourous dark and sexy, but not vixen like.  I simply cannot escape her allure if I tried – this is, as I suspected, definitely up my alley.  An actress that immediately popped into my mind was Hedy Lamarr.  I could very easily see her wearing this as her star started to rise.  The fragrance is as alluring as she was, and holds all the many distinct qualities that set her and it apart from the others.  It represented brains, beauty, and a bit of a threat to masculinity.  After all, Hedy was also an established scientist/inventor…certainly enough to make many a man intrigued and somewhat scared…making for a bit of a dangerous situation indeed!

    The mentioning of Hedy Lamar and only makes me want to try this perfume because for me she was the epitomy of beauty and brains, a divine creature with rare beauty and bright personality and this perfume must smell divine too.
    This is the first time I am being informed about the existence of Ciro Perfume House.
    I am a registered reader living in EU.
    I have already subscribed to the TPC newsletter.
    Thank you for the chance to win such a rare perfume creation.

  • Gourmand with tobacco and leather…sounds wonderful:) I have not heard of this fragrance before but would definitely love to try it:)
    I live in the USA.
    I subscribe to TPC
    Thanks for sharing this rare gem.

  • Rose I Berryhill says:

    Oh MY God! Yesterday my husband took me to a small town flea market in Texas. I love all kinds of perfumes and I saw this little red box with gold edging, on top in Gold letters in said Ciro Danger. Well… I was intrigued right away, I opened it and inside was a small bottle of perfume. The lady at the booth would not let me open the bottle to smell it, but said he dad had gifted this perfume to her mom many times. I was sad when she told me her mom had passed. They were using the proceeds from the sell to pay for her headstone. I ended buying the perfume for $100.00. Brought it home and opened the bottle, I am telling you I was transferred to a different time. This perfume has such a beautiful scent. It smells elegant, and sexy in a vixen way. Smokey with vanilla and lavender just so beautiful. I sat at my vanity for a full hour just daydreaming of a time which is long gone.

  • I am heartbroken that I missed this. My grandmother, who had been a flapper in the 20’s, and was one of the mosr elegant women I’ve ever met, wore Danger by Ciro as her signature parfum. I still have a crystal covered bottle for evening, that she had once filled with the scent. The fragrance still lingers. If it was available today Iwould be wearing it. Lucky you to have discovered it!

  • Brent Collins says:

    I have an Art Deco Parfums Ciro pefume display case. It lights up as well,

  • I was doing a bit or research on a bottle I have in the midst of a rather substantial collection of fragrance bottles. The bottle is Ciro Danger, and it’s very interesting to hear the Danger/Hedy Lamarr association.

    The bottles are findable, but quite rare. Designed by Baccarat, but not always found with the Baccarat acid mark. Produced as early as 1938 so ALL the collector bottles say 1938 but probably only some are.