Perfume Shrine: Shalimar by Guerlain: Review and History Info for an Iconic Oriental

While doing some research for a perfume ad I brought home from Paris, I ran across this review/history of the perfume, Shalimar, by Guerlain, that I have worn for 40+ years. I still remember the first magical moment I removed the glass stopper on a bottle my father had given to my mother when I was probably about six or seven years old. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever smelled....and I still do all these years later!

Perfume Shrine: Shalimar by Guerlain: Review and History Info for an Iconic Oriental

Mellow Yellow

I'm trying to cheer myself up now that winter seems to have made an EARLY appearance here in Sydney.  I changed my featured items in the shop,  to bring in some sunshine. 

 Lanvin Satin & Velvet Evening Dress

Vogue UK

December 1951

Etsy Listing # 74060937 

Bourjois Beau Belle Perfume

Harper's Bazaar 

October 1949

 Etsy Listing # 72908103

Selincourt Mustard Yellow Wool Coat

Harper's Bazaar UK 

October 1947

Etsy Listing # 72767741

  

 Neiman Marcus Dallas Shoes

Vogue USA

June 1, 1936

Etsy Listing # 65964039

I especially love the fashion illustration by Eric.  He's caught the real essence of this beautiful satin and velvet evening dress, don't you think?

Elsa Schiaparelli and Marcel Vertes--a perfect combination

One of my favorite illustrators is Marcel Vertes, and I especially love his work for Schiaparelli perfumes.  Here are three of his ads that you will find in our shop:

  Harpers Bazaar

September 1945

Etsy Listing #70216138

Harpers Bazaar 

April 1945

Etsy Listing #70216224

 Vogue

April 1952

Etsy Listing # 71019728

Hungarian illustrator,  Marcel Vertes was born in Ujpest, near Budapest, Hungary.  He studied to become an aviation engineer, but instead turned to drawing and painting.  In the early 1920s, Vertes went to Paris, where he worked for the satirical magazine Rire, and for the Gazette Du Bon Ton.

Vertes was an outstanding painter, printmaker, illustrator and fashion designer.  His work was characterized by its economical use of line and color.  He moved to Paris during World War I, and established himself as one of the most important artistic figures of the 1920s; following the footsteps of Toulouse-Lautrec, Boutet, and Forain.  His work consisted mainly of portrayals and scenes of Paris street life, women, the circus, and cabaret acts.  Vertes went to school at the Academie Julian in Paris.
 

He became popular in France since the mid 1920s particularly for his lithographs, and illustrations.

Due to the impending World War II, Verte traveled to America where he lived and worked for some time.  His reputation as a great artist got him work as a book illustrator and costume and set designer for films, theater and musicals.  He worked briefly for Vanity Fair and Harper's Bazaar in New York before traveling to London to illustrate for Schiaparelli perfumes.  The collaboration between Vertes and Schiaparelli was an inspired one.  Verte's whimsical, and modern illustrations perfectly complimented Elsa Schiaparelli's avant-garde style and irreverent attitude.

1935 Lucien LeLong's "Opening Night" Perfume

 

Lucien LeLong "Opening Night" Perfume

Harpers Bazaar

June 1935

Etsy Listing #66801722

Half Page Ad

Opening Night was first registered (trademarked) by Lucien Lelong in 1934. Although its history is murky, it appears to have been introduced in France under the name La Premieère in 1935 or possibly a year or two later. It has appeared in bottles of various different shapes (Lelong loved and collected glass and often tried a number of bottles for the same fragrance.)

This pyramid design for Opening Night is among the nicer Lucien Lelong bottles.