“Where should one use perfume?” a young woman asked… “Wherever one wants to be kissed.” – Coco Chanel
A woman having a signature scent was no different in the 1950s and 60s. It’s always fascinating diving into the world of beauty in Old Hollywood glamour, but more specifically diving into the world of fragrances was an alluring investigative adventure. Conclusively it seems the scents of amber, powder, and bergamot penetrated the Hollywood air while stage lights and smoke penetrated the Hollywood sky.
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Audrey Hepburn – L’Interdit by Givenchy
Among one of the first perfumes created by Givenchy. This warm floral fragrance was created in 1957 in honor of his muse, Audrey Hepburn. Audrey actually wore this scent for a year before it was sold to the public! L’Interdit means “forbidden” in French. The concept behind the creation is the “thrill of the forbidden” and invites wearers to cross the line and embrace individuality. With feminine but bold notes of pear, bergamot, tuberose, orange blossom, and vanilla, this lovely fragrance is still sold and incredibly popular today.
What she would be wearing today – My Way by Armani https://seph.me/43XHpJZ (and link to L’Interdit! https://seph.me/3mVCAjZ)
Marilyn Monroe – Rose Geranium by Floris London
Now while we’re all likely aware of Marilyn’s iconic “I only wear Chanel no. 5 to bed” moment. In 2002 it was revealed she adored another fragrance in private. Allegedly she would either have her personal assistant purchase six bottles for her and have them sent to her Beverly Hills hotel room. Rose Geranium by Floris London was her beloved fresh clean scent with notes of subtle rose, geranium, lemon, violet, and cedar wood. Now while the fragrance version is discontinued but the scent is still available in a bath essence for a luxurious spa moment. Perhaps this almost unisex scent did not fit the sultry bombshell image she chose to portray. Nonetheless, both are gorgeous scents.
What she would be wearing today – ‘REPLICA’ Bubble Bath by Maison Margiela https://seph.me/440gwVV
Joan Crawford – Youth Dew by Estée Lauder
Although American actress Joan Crawford had a few favorite perfumes, she claims this one in particular attracted her husband! Before they were married, they once were dancing and he told her that she smelled exquisite. This perfume is a spicy amber scent. Released to the public in 1953 and became almost an instant success among women at the time. This rich and deep fragrance blends notes of spices, lavender, coca-cola, ylang-ylang, and musk. Still available today but has been reformulated several times over the years and is definitely being overpowered by Estée Lauder’s newer and more modern fragrances but nonetheless is a classic fragrance reminiscent of the 50s and 60s.
What she would be wearing today – Black Orchid Eau de Parfum by Tom Ford https://seph.me/3LmhiUX (and link to Youth Dew! https://estee.cm/3LoOOe5)
Princess Diana – First Eau de Toilette by Van Cleef & Arpels
Although the beautiful Princess Diana had a range of perfumes in her collection and has been said to have multiple that she loved, in January 2023, Prince Harry revealed in his autobiography that his mother’s favorite perfume was Van Cleef & Arpels First and he actually took a bottle of this scent to therapy to help him grieve the loss of his mother. This gorgeous fragrance was launched in 1976 and is a fresh floral scent with notes of bergamot, aldehydes, black currant, peach, and lily of the valley. This classy, elegant, and enchanting scent was a perfect fit for Princess Diana.
What she would be wearing today – Estée by Estée Lauder Super Cologne Spray https://estee.cm/3Nblw43
Grace Kelly – Fleurissimo by Creed
In 1956, American film actress Grace Kelly commissioned French luxury perfume house Creed to create the perfect scent for her to wear on her wedding day in Monaco where she was set to marry Prince Rainier III. The result is Fleurissimo; a romantic and dreamy perfume meant to complement the bride’s bouquet. This classically feminine, floral and fresh scent marries notes of violet, bergamot, Bulgarian Rose, Florentine iris, and jasmine. Still sold to this day and aimed towards brides everywhere to be worn on their most special day.
What she would be wearing today – Amazing Grace by Philosophy https://bit.ly/3otngva (and link to Fleurissimo! https://bit.ly/43UY0yf )
Rita Hayworth – Shalimar by Guerlain
American film star Rita Hayworth was not shy about showing off her absolute favorite perfume as she was often photographed spritzing herself with Guerlain’s Shalimar. This perfume is an amber spicy oriental scent with notes of citruses, bergamot, cedar, patchouli, and jasmine that creates an alluring and intoxicating aroma. Created in 1925 as a tribute to the royal love story of Pakistani emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal and was named after Mahal’s favorite garden “The Gardens of Shalimar”.
What she would be wearing today – Noir Extreme Eau de Parfum by Tom Ford https://seph.me/3KZzYJH (and link to Shalimar! https://bit.ly/43UY8xJ)
Elizabeth Taylor – Bal à Versailles by Jean Desprez
Before she went on to release her own line of fragrances, British-American Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor had her signature scent that she could not leave home without. Bal á Versailles meaning Ball at the Palace of Versailles, is a warm and golden multilayered women’s fragrance reminiscent of candlelit ballroom dances. This perfume was an amber oriental scent with decadent notes of rosemary, orange blossom, sandalwood, and vanilla. Created in 1962, Elizabeth Taylor wore it on the set of her film Cleopatra, and also gifted the scent to Michael Jackson, who adored the scent and wore it for the rest of his life.
What she would be wearing today – L’Air de Rien by Miller Harris https://bit.ly/3LqKyLs
Ava Gardner – Fracas Eau de Parfum by Robert Piguet
Like a true femme fatale, American film star Ava Gardner would spritz the stairway with a very special fragrance to lure her husband, Frank Sinatra to the bedroom after fighting with him. This fragrance was Fracas by Robert Piguet, an incredibly feminine and intoxicating white floral scent. This fragrance is a lush and creamy mix of notes of gardenia, orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine, and white iris. Fracas was first released in 1948 and is actually still available for purchase today and has been worn and loved by many famous figures over the years such as Madonna, Martha Stewart, Courtney Love and others.
What she would be wearing today – Florence by Tocca https://seph.me/3oBgLXt (and link to Fracas! https://bit.ly/3AkO2su)
Bette Davis – Le De by Givenchy
There was only one perfume that the exceptional American actress Bette Davis would wear and it was none other than Le De by Givenchy, an alluring and sophisticated scent. Launched in 1957, this perfume is a woody floral scent. With beautifully balanced notes of coriander, mandarin orange, Brazilian rosewood, lilac and jasmine, this is scent has been deemed a classic that embodies this period of perfumery. It seems like after the wild success of L’Interdit, this fragrance did not make the cut for Givenchy and has sadly been long gone. More specifically, discontinued, reformulated, rereleased and then ultimately scrapped again.
What she would be wearing today – Chypre Sublime Eau de Parfum by Floral Street https://bit.ly/3V0WSFe
Vivien Leigh – White Rose by Atkinsons
Just like many of us today, British film star Vivien Leigh appears to have had a perfume collection as she was seen with several bottles on her dressing room table so perhaps she liked to mix them or she liked certain ones for certain occasions but this perfume in particular stands out for its uniqueness and sentimental value. Allegedly this was her mother’s favorite scent wore it after her. How sweet! This powdery floral perfume was released in 1860 with a very simple formula only using powdery notes of white rose, bergamot, and musk. While this fragrance has long been discontinued, a timeless feminine scent like this one is bound to be recreated over and over.
What she would be wearing today – Chloé Eau de Parfum by Chloé https://seph.me/3H7QRAS
Sophia Loren – Joy by Jean Patou
In 1967, Italian bombshell Sophia Loren was asked by a reporter what she likes during a filming break to which she said. “I like the smell of the sea, and I like Patou’s Joy, and I love the smell of stables.” This discontinued perfume is a white floral scent with notes of tuberose, ylang-ylang, Bulgarian rose, pear, and sandalwood to create a luscious and irresistibly delightful classic feminine scent. Released in 1930, this fragrance actually became one of the world’s first best selling perfumes and was once the world’s most expensive perfume. Many fragrance connoisseurs have claimed this represents French elegance and sophistication.
What she would be wearing today – Diorissimo by Dior https://bit.ly/3H7UqXN
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