A favorite parlour game among perfumistas is to list the discontinued fragrances they'd most like to see brought back from the dead. Coty Chypre and Shiseido Nombre Noir often top such lists, and while either would warm my heart, let's face it, neither would make a killing on the department store shelves. Coty really ought to bring back Chypre, even if only for the prestige factor, but they're never going to sell a gazillion bottles of Chypre no matter what. And I don't think we need hold our breath waiting for Nombre Noir.*
Your challenge: think of a perfume that you'd love to see reissued AND that you think could sell if it was marketed properly.
I have two picks:
Fendi Theorema ~ first off, it's just wonderful stuff. It doesn't fit neatly into any current trends in fragrance, but nor does it smell dated, and there isn't anything esoteric about it. Its elegant, comforting, and perfectly easy to wear. Almost everyone I've ever talked into trying it has loved it.
I actually like the name Theorema, but it has a sort of forbidding ring to it, and it's a really poor match for the squishy-cozy-comfort juice. Ditto for the bottle, which is just too stiff and sober for the scent. I don't know how Palazzo is selling (it did nothing for me), but if you had stuck Theorema's juice in that gorgeous bottle, I simply can't believe it wouldn't find an audience.
Givenchy Organza Indecence ~ I'm sort of cheating with this one, as I'm not really sure Organza Indecence was ever discontinued (I thought it was, but I'm told Givenchy never stopped producing it, they only stopped promoting it). More recently, it's returned as part of the Les Mythiques collection, although now I hear rumors that maybe only selected scents from that set are going to make it to the US. So far, Organza Indecence doesn't seem to be among them.
Anyway, Organza Indecence, as I said in my review, is comically mismatched with its name and its packaging. It doesn't smell like anything you'd call "Organza", and the sort of woman who seems to me to be likely to love Organza Indecence isn't at all the sort of woman who'd pick up that frou-frou bottle to give it a try (I know I never did). It reportedly did very well when it was released, but I'm betting that if you launched it again with a way more daring name and in a cooler, trendier bottle, it would find a new generation of fans.
Note: image via Images de Parfums.
* Luca Turin's latest article at NZZ Folio is all about Nombre Noir; also see an earlier article there on the same subject.
My choice would be Lanvin's remarkable Scandal. I have always considered this to be the best, most femme fatale leather of all time. Its florals were an obvious and gorgeous blend of rose, iris and ylang ylang and the moss and vanilla in the drydown kept the leather supple and soft. Scandal was a bouquet in a fine leather glove and could be successfully marketed today, IMO
Yes, Fendi Theorema! I never understood why they dicontuinued it.
Annayake Miyako is almost too obvious. It's still reasonably easily available on eBay, but I assume stocks will disappear eventually. It's such a delightful, easy-to-wear light incense, I think it'd go down a storm in department stores.
I loved Aqua Manda (Fabergé? Lenthéric?) as a teenager; I think it was a neroli floral with an orange edge. Not really like anything today (although I might eat my words if I ever got to resniff with an adult nose), and very pretty. Do either of these companies still exist?
There was also a limited-edition rose version of Eternity a few years ago, which smelled nothing like Eternity (praise be), but was really gorgeous. My daughter is hoarding the last few precious drops. I'd love to see it re-released in its own right. Rose is so 'in' right now, I think it would sell by the crate.
I have never smelled it, but it sounds lovely!
Another one I never tried, although I love green florals.
For a time they just stopped exporting it to the US, but now they have a new fragrance licensing deal and I think I read that all the old scents are gone (?)
I have never tried a single Annayake — and never heard of the Aqua Manda, but it sounds great. Looks like I'm going to add lots of new things to my “ought to have tried while I could” list today.
The Fendi webshop lists under “perfume” only “Palazzo” – seems that all their other fragrances are gone.
I don't know if this counts for the poll but I think Shiseido White Rose would do well here. I'm going to Japan in April, so I plan to pick up a bottle. I just don't understand what certain fragrances are only available in certain countries.
Also, I live in constant fear that Hiris will be gone.
I don't know whether these fragrances are really discontinued or I just can't find them anymore..Cabochard and Donna Karan Black Cashmere. Do you know of any current fragrances that are similar to Cabochard or Black Cashmere?
I know that this fragrance is discontinued: Lancaster Black Bath. I bought up a few bottles a few years ago which I am slowly and carefully using. Every time I wear this fragrance I am asked “what are you wearing?”
For a very brief period, Lancome had a perfume called Rouge Now or Never. I have a few drops left in one of my 5 bottles. It was very sweet and I received tons of compliments every time I wore it. I would give a lot to have a few more bottles.
Yes, I wish Shiseido would bring all their Asia-exclusives to the US! I hear White Rose is lovely.
Knocking on wood for Hiris 🙂
Both Cabochard & Black Cashmere can still be had, and both can be found at discount. Check scentiments.com for Cabochard, perfumebay for Black Cashmere.
Lancaster Black Bath — great name, had never heard of it!
Thanks for checking! Sounds like I remembered correctly.
There is another fragrance that I want back in the stores… but this one is still available online here and there…and it is 'Jil Sander Bath & Beauty Eau de Toilette'! Released in 1981, a chypre floral. A magnific scent and I used to wear it a lot while sporting outdoors in North Africa (in the eighties) and also I got a lot of compliments for it 🙂 The bottle is square white ceramic.
Again nothing sweet about this scent but it has a lot of character.
More than any other fragrance, I'd love to see Faberge Babe or Babe Splash Cologne reissued. This was one of my earliest perfumes– at age 5 or 7. The end of a bottle courtesy of my Aunt. (My parents were hippies and just barely allowed it. ) I adored fragrances more than others even then although I didn't know it. I've been able to catch a sniff of most of my other early fragrances but can never find an unspoiled bottle of Babe. I think it was actually kind of popular and pretty nice– I think it would still sell. 🙂
This is my first comment on NST! THANK YOU ALL for all the great reading!
Babe was the one in the yellow plastic globe, I think? I remember liking it, but I can't quite remember how it smelled.
Chantecaille Darby Rose. I've about 10ml left in my 50ml bottle which I've wrapped in a scarf and nestled in my fragrance drawer to save for this spring and then I'm sure it will be gone. Yes it's another rose, which we aren't exactly short of, but there's something about it's freshness that has never been replicated. There are no sharp vinegary edges which always creep into rose scents. With the strong popularity of other rose scents on the market I'm sure Darby Rose would sell LOTS if it was ever re-released.
I'd also sign-up for Fendi Theorama re-issues. Please Fendi, please!
Another one I don't know!
S, welcome and thanks!
I know I had a bottle of Babe once upon a time, but haven't smelled it in years. I know Unilever sold its rights to the Faberge brand name last year, but no idea what the new owners (Faberge Limited) are planning to do with it.
What's with Gap Grass, anyway? I keep hearing you can still buy it at Gap outlets, and don't understand if they're just selling off leftover stock, or still producing it just for the outlets??
Bath and Beauty is still part of the regular Jil Sander line over here in Germany. It should be easy do order it online.
Oh, I didn't even know Darby Rose had been discontinued!
Wow, really? I hadn't heard that, but now I'm curious — last time I was checking (3-6 mos ago?), 100ml bottles were selling for $90 and up on eBay. Truth be told, it's not something I'd even use or crave that often (shhh… I like it more as a room spray), but the idea that the last 20ml in my bottle are the last I'll ever sniff just makes me crazy.
OK, you know, this must have been reissued by popular demand: I just checked eBay and there are tons of completed auctions where it's sold for ~$20.
OK, now I'll just hope for Guerlain's Coriolan to be reissued, since I recently fell in love with it. Old stock is easily available, but I'm about to start buying bottles and storing them in the freezer to last into my old age.
Without a doubt, Laura Biagiotti Venezia – a velvety, ambery, somewhat fruity (but not in a candy-sweet way. More like blackcurrant) oriental. All plush red and gold. I tried it while travelling through Europe in 2000 and immediately fell in love.
If an oriental like the original Prada was successful, then perhaps Venezia could be, too…
…but that's just me dreaming. Sigh.
Thank you Linaria. This shouldn't be difficult! Will check it out.
Who knows…maybe they've just been selling off the last few cases of the stuff or something. Everyone moans about it, so it must be great but I've never smelled it!
Guerlain has reissued so much stuff I can't remember what is in production and what isn't.
You're welcome. (One of the few german designer perfume labels known abroad has to be promoted. 😉 )
The only Annayake I've tried is the Hanami, which I purchased unsniffed (when, oh when will I learn?). Very nice for the first 3 minutes, then it turns horrid on my skin. Thankfully, it was a ridiculously inexpensive “online discounter” purchase.
I'm in total agreement about Theorema; warm and comforting, and very deserving of a better bottle and continued production.
I second your nomination of Scandal, but I have to wonder if it would be too “interesting” for today's market–at least for a mass market release.
Another one: Strenesse EdP, a very comforting heliotrope/almond blossom scent. I know, not really innovative or unique but I liked it.
Yep, that's a great one!
Donna Karan Chaos. Yes, you can find it at exorbitant prices on the internet, but Estee Lauder should re-issue the entire line, including the wonderfully fragrant lotion.
How about some of the classic Nina Ricci's like Capricci, Coeur Joie, and Fille D'Eve? All are gorgeous, feminine fragrances, the likes of which are just not produced today, but can be found on the internet for, again, a high price .
Jil Sander No. 4 in parfum??? It can't be found. Oh, I think a dear perfume friend found some earlier last year, but that was it…
My best perfume buddy, Halyna, has been looking for the Jil Sander No. 4 parfum and for Geoffrey Beene's fragrance in the tall dark red bottle. Remember that one from the 70's, R? I actually found the bottle, but not the bottle with the fragrance in it, several years ago.
And finally, Yardley's Oh de London! Where can one find this lost gem? I have searched high and low, but cannot find it anywhere. It was a drugstore fragrance, but did it ever leave an impression on me. London is so happening today, just like in the sixties, so I think the girls would go mad for it.
Hugs!
I am not sure– I have only hazy memories of my Aunt's glass bottle. The one I had was the splash cologne, I think. About a 1 oz plastic bottle that was a frosted peach cylinder w/ a round plastic cap a little darker and similar-colored printing.
I've also seen the same shape bottle in white with hot pink and peach printing and hot pink cap. I got a bottle like that last year but it was predictably terribly spoiled. Not a hint of the original fragrance.
I think I read peach was one of the notes and that seems to strike a cord in my memory.
Thanks very much for the welcome! I stumbled onto the fragrance communities and blogs about this time last year. I've always loved fragrances and had a few bottles, but found NST and MUA at about the same time when researching to try to replace those old perfumes from childhood and teenage years. This past year has been an aromatic heaven, with reviews and commentary to help with on-line discount purchases, not to mention sample and decant sales and swaps to justify owning more than 3-4 bottles!
NST is my favorite fragrance read– thank you again.
Thanks for the news about the company– I'll continue to hope that Babe will come out again in some form. I'd give a lot for a sniff. Although not enough to take any more chances on the vintage bottles, esp. at the prices the glass bottles go for. 🙂
Yes, I so wish Darby Rose was still available! I English roses all around my house and Darby is one of them. I shouldn't have read this, now it just made me sad.
Hmm, gap grass…I heard that bath and body works green clover and aloe smells similar to that one. You might want to try it if you haven't already. I wish my favorites were sold more, and not so hard to find. I don't have any that are no longer made.
I was just going to say this. No other grass scent — and I've tried them all — is quite like it.
I NEVER find it in outlets. I've bought it on eBay, but that's getting ridiculous.
I'd buy the first gazillion bottles myself.
And while we're at it, I want the scent version of the old Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo. *shows her age*
Chrysalide is different. I can't even find the designer of the
Rouge now or never but I still do have one bottle left with just the few drops in it. The bottle is a tall red tube.
I long for the original Fendi, such a lovely scent. Murasaki by Shiseido was nice too, and Ruffels, by Oscar de La Renta. Not my typical scent. It was a lovely Floral/Oriental with honey & caramel in the drydown. Those would be my three to see back on the market.
i came across this one when i was a teenager but i loved it. and i think i would appreciate it even more nowadays, it's a shame it's gone now
Le Fruit Défendu!
“And while we're at it, I want the scent version of the old Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo.”
LOL! That is EXACTLY what I was going to say!! I have no long lost loves when it comes to perfume – but I crave the smell of that beautiful green shampoo! (and btw, the oils that they sell to make soap and such the ones that are supposed to smell like it – they don't.)
What a lovely Friday forum!
I vote for Nina Ricci Bigarade. I know it can be found here and there (on occasion) but it's tough to find. It was such a lovely scent – my first 'all my own idea' grownup fragrance. There was a complexity to it that seems to be missing in the citrusy fragrances today.
Completely different note here: My mother wore Coty's L'Origan and in a fit of nostalgia I dabbed a bit on whilst at Walgreens….I was mortified by the sweetness of the scent but apparently I was in the minority – TONS of compliments on it. Odd…
Even though Zibeline picked it right off, I must mention Scandal again. Great name, great perfume (now, no using the name for a completely different perfume, as you did with Rumeur, Lanvin!).
Similarly with DK Chaos.
And because I must pick something that hasn't been mentioned yet, I will say Diorling. I know the EdT (slightly changed perhaps, but still excellent) is available in the Paris boutique, but that hardly counts. Bring the parfum (smelling just like the vintage) back to the US!
I have three more for the list: Giorgio Beverly Hills 'Ocean Dream', yep really loved that one and Ungaro' Diva' a beautiful scent!
And Sonia Rykiel 'Sonia Rykiel'.
Hmmmm. . . I just remembered these are supposed to SELL. Well, Dior, I promise you that I will personally buy TWO bottles of your reissued Diorling parfum. Three, if you use amphores. How about that?
Chaos. Eventually my bottle's going to be gone, or just go bad, and I'll be done with that.
Also (hey, you know what's coming!) I want a bottle of Gobin Daude Seve Exquise and Nuit au Desert. Then I can decide whether I love them so much just because I can't have them 🙂
And they'd sell if we renamed them J Lo Juice and J Lo Desert Night, respectively…
I've seen several mentions of Ruffles — it must have been pretty! Never got to smell it.
Sounds like your unsniffed success record is similar to mine 😉
I remember that! And Flex! Loved both those smells.
And I want Dior Dior and Diorama! Agree it does not count if you can't buy it here, and in extrait.
Drat, stop talking about that Gap Grass that I'll never get to smell, LOL…
Ah, now I see that there are VERY expensive bottles of Rouge Now or Never for sale online. What a shame!
Wonder how much of that is due to Prada's name recognition, vs. Laura Biagiotti. Too bad, that was a pretty bottle too.
That one had lots of fans.
Chaos, yes, that would be lovely!
I don't remember the Geoffrey Beene, just the Grey Flannel which must have been popular around the same time (?)
Irma Shorell does some version of Oh de London, but don't understand if it is the same or not: irmashorell.net
Ugh! Her version is horrible. It doesn't even come close!
I wore both Gap Grass and B & BW green clover, they are very similar. I usually wait for the yearly sale and buy several bottles of the shower gel/body spray for 1/2 price. I think they've reintroduced it back on their web site too…. In Sarasota Fl, there used to be a custom fragrance store which could custom blend scents like Gap Grass, but I think they've closed shop… bummer.
PS-I remembered another frag I wish they'd reintroduce, Wrappings by Clinique. I loved it and it had terrific staying power.
Lou Lou by Cacherel. Lauched in 1987. Verry sweet floral in an ugly blue plastic bottle. However, it reminds me of my high school years since that is all I wore back then. AND A LOT OF IT. The potency of this perfume must have been knocking everyone over!! I'm cracking up thinking of how sophisticated I ~thought~ I was! Anyway, Lou Lou is a nice floral if you only wear a spritz or two. Put it in a pretty bottle – something along the lines of Tocca bottles – re-do the marketing for teens and I bet they'd sell a ton!
Robin, I know you know what I am going to say… I want Matthew Williamson Incense back, but there is so little chance since they've released another fragrance with the same name. I don't know that it would sell in general, but it has a huge niche following. I have never found another incense and sandalwood scent to compare, and the graphic on the bottle is just stunning. The best work that Lyn Harris ever did, IMO. I was also sad when CdG discontinued Tea, but since I'm the only one who seems to like that one…
J Lo! That is too funny!
Hi everyone, this is my first time posting as well. I can't even remember how I stumbled upon this website, but I love it and I am so addicted.. And you've made a budding perfumista (or wannabe at least) out of me!
I agree about Fendi Theorema. Luckily I still have half a bottle left…although it smells completely different on me compared to how you describe it Robin–to me it's very sexy, very warm, very spicy, and if I'm not careful it's easy to put too much on. I bought it one summer and that's what it reminds me of–hot, sexy, (almost uncomfortable), summer. And I love it!
I'm also terrified that Donna Karan will discontinue Black Cashmere, though I know you can still get it at Sephora.com, Nordstrom, etc. It's just SO good.
But most of all I want all the discontinued fragrances you all talk about to come back, because I really want to experience them! Especially Coty Chypre; I adore chypres….
-Molly
Well, then welcome to addiction, LOL 🙂
Good luck on Babe, but you'll probably have plenty else to occupy you, I guess!
They do put Wrappings out every year in early December…but it doesn't hang around long.
Seriously, would that sell? Never smelled it.
I didn't know there ever was a NR Bigarade — I am learning a lot today! I'd love to know what L'Origan used to smell like. I have a feeling the current version is a pale shadow of its former glory.
M, I didn't pick anything from GD because I honestly don't know that I think they'd ever sell in a big way. Chaos must have *some* hope just based on the DK name, right?
Should have known you'd already know about it! Sorry then, I'm no help 🙂
Welcome JB, and so glad you liked the YR Rose! I am waiting patiently for them to release the new iris one. I've never smelled either of your choices, sorry to say!
Hey, I remember Lou Lou! Can't remember exactly what it smelled like, but know I knew people who wore it. I didn't know that one was discontinued either.
K, I am an incense fiend, and can't remember now why I was the only one not totally in love with the MW/MH incense. I do remember thinking it was well done, just not me. Was it very dark — patch or amber or something? Anyway, you're quite right that it would sell, everyone loved it.
Not really sure CdG is discontinued. I was told the whole leaves series was disc, and I reported it, but they're back on the CdG Dover Street Market site now. Maybe they just aren't exporting them any more? Or??? Whatever, you can buy it if you need some!
Well, I ~assume~ it's discontinued because I haven't seen it in ages…maybe it isn't? I might just try to find a bottle for old time's sake! 😉
I just ordered my first sample of Black Cashmere. It hasn't arrived yet, but I am tres excited.
Perfumebay has it…
This is so going to date me but when I was a kid my Mom used to wear this awful lemon perfume – I think it was called Love's Lemon? I just wanted to say I HOPE that stuff is discontinued. It smelled like dishwashing liquid. But if I were to smell it today it would bring back good memories….
I remember DIVA! I loved the bottle. I only sortof liked the fragrance but there was something about it that captivated me – because I bought it more than once. Maybe the advertising and the way the woman's white dress mirrored the bottle? Ungaro Diva…hah..haven't thought of that in years..
Thanks for the welcome!
I still have 1/2 a bottle of Black Cashmere too, but I'm about ready to buy a few bottles just in case it gets discontinued. I'm getting really paranoid about that!
I had no idea that they came out with a lighter version of Theorema. Interesting…..
hello this is my first post ever but i couldn't pass this , i was looking at my perfume collection yesterday and saw my beautiful bottle of Eau de dior coloressence (the green bottle), i found this i think five years ago at sephora in the louvre and after at a department store in mexico , i love the smell and i think it would sell very good since it is so fresh , is just wonderful , i can't tell how heart broken i am since it has been discontinued i would love to have another bottle in green and also the pink bottle , but in any case i still have a huge amount of fragrance left for my own pleasure this is the one perfume i truly wear just for myself .
Jil Sander #4 parfum pops up every now and then on eBay, in teeny tiny .12oz mini-bottles. It pays to set up one of those ebay search alerts and wait for a hit. I got some in a set of 3 minis where I didn't care about the other 2 (I can't even remember what they were at this very moment) but wanted the Jil. I do remember I got it for under $25. If you love this scent, the parfum is beyond heaven.
Oh, Love's Lemon, I ever so vaguely remember that! All the Love's scents were popular when I was young (guessing I'm much older than you) but can't remember what they smelled like.
That was back in the late 70's-early 80's when we were all obsessed with Bonnie Bell scented/flavored lip gloss. I can still remember the taste/smell of sour grapes, toasted marshmellow and bubblegum!
We used those BIG lip gloss thingies, Dr Pepper I remember was one, and it was huge, and we kept it in the hammer pocket of our painter's pants. LOL!!!
I never tried the lighter one because I didn't find the regular too heavy at all. Doubt I could find a tester now…
thank you !!!!! : ) yes it is expensive but is worth every penny , i just love it so much.
I second the LB Venezia rebirth (I loved it) and I have hoarded my bottle for years. I would also revive that Lancome Rouge for one of my closest friends since she loved that and it smelled great on her. Believe Cacharel Lou Lou can still be found online – I've contemplated buying a small bottle for nostalgia, but there are too many fragrances I would rather enjoy having……
Ones that may still smell wonderful to my more experienced nose:
Nina Ricci Bigarade
Nina Ricci Farouche
Ones that I loved once but don't know if I still would:
Laura Biagotti Roma
The original Tamango by Leonard. Bought a bottle on Amazon and it wasn't at all what I remember. Could be a trick of the mind. . .
L'Erbolario Capriofoglio, an amazing scent of sunshine in a bottle.
EXACTLY. The huge one's. And I kept them in the hammer pocket of my painters pants, too! I must have had at least a dozen different flavors at all times.
I looooved the smell of that shampoo when I was a little kid! I've always looked for something that replicated but no luck. It would be a blast if Clairol reiussed it with the old label and everythng (remember the drawing of the girl with flowers in her swirly hair?)
I have an almost 3/4 bottle full of this too, and I absolutely love it! It's so fresh and green/citrusy. Fans of GAP's Grass would probably really love this one.
I miss Gap Grass, too, and also the strange and bewitching Gap Earth.
I can't believe Theorema was discontinued. Luckily I still have some.
The thing I miss the most is Dieci by Pierre Lorain. It's one of the first scents I ever bought, and one of only two bottles I ever emptied before they had a chance to go bad or I got sick of them (the other was the genuinely bizarre Krizia Uomo, years ahead of its time). Sometimes I think that every time I sniff something new, it's secretly in hopes of finding Dieci's exact duplicate. You can buy miniatures on the Internet, but I won't; I'm afraid that they will have gone wrong, or that I will have changed so much that the scent is unrecognizable to me, and I don't think I can stand the disappointment, so I guess it's just me and my memories of this wonderful, amazing scent.
Well, part of the question is easy and obvious – Jean Patou needs to reissue the ENTIRE Ma Collection series. They brought back their classics 20 years ago to celebrate their heritage, MADE me fall in love with them, and then stopped making them all again. Such a cruel thing to do. Vacances was the best Green Floral in history. Period.
The other one is more obscure – Laura Biagotti's first scent, White Flowers. Tender and pure and infused with a virtual overdose of stephanotis, it was truly lovely. Gone for many years and nothing quite as good has been seen from the line again.
Does anybody remember Venezia Pastello from 1995?
Would love to smell that one again :).
I have another one that I loved so much and always regretted having bought a small bottle: Mirabai by Chopard!
Does anybody remember this one? It is from 1998.
Oh, and how could I have forgotten the one I REALLY want brought back – Emma, by Laura Ashley? I went through bottles of that, even decorated my daughter's bedroom in the same yellow, pink and blue fabric that was printed on the box! I was broken-hearted when they discontinued it.
Chaos: yes, yes, YES! This was my first signature scent and one that I miss on a near daily basis. The scent, the bottle . . . everything.
The Long Lost Perfumes version is kinda close, IMHO, but nothing is the real banana,
Venezia Pastello you can still buy at discounters in the US, not that it will help you. I never smelled it.
I'm lost in the threading now — do you mean the Dior or the Lancome Rouge?
Oh dear, another mention of the Bigarade. Now I'm dying to smell it.
Absolutely remember the girl on the label! And those shampoo smells lasted all day. Might annoy me now, but sounds appealing.
I wonder how the Ma Collection did when they reissued it, in terms of sales? Because I'm surprised they haven't done it again too.
Had never heard of LB White Flowers.
Mirabai can be found online in the US — no idea if it is discontinued or not.
And you know, Chaos was just a great name. It is just a shame they don't bring it back.
You win the prize: I've not only never heard of Dieci, I've never heard of Pierre Lorain!
They do, although fragrance doesn't appear to be shown on the website. They also do scented candles. They did a nice greenish perfume after Emma was discontinued, but that disappeared too. It's as if they think the scents have to be changed along with the fabric designs, ie seasonal by year. If only someone would tell them that a good scent is eternal!
Interesting! They are missing Mint and Shiso, so maybe only those two were discontinued, otherwise they are selling off leftover stock? As is the case with every discontinuation rumor, I wish we knew for sure!
Reading all these comments has been too much fun! What a great poll. I second (or fifteenth, or whatever) Fendi Theorema. I'm wearing it right now! 🙂
I also second Giorgio Ocean Dream. I have never received so many compliments on a perfume ever as that one. I still see it now and again at discounters, but lord only knows how old the bottles are, since they discontinued it many years ago.
Another one for me is Demi Jour by Houbigant, which I wore in college. I just want to smell it again. I also see this one on the discount sites occasionally, but they changed the bottle and the cap, and it makes me wonder if they didn't change the perfume, too.
I have nearly stopped reporting discontinued items — when I do, it turns out to be wrong at least half the time. It is a shame there isn't a better way to find out what is still in production…
Yes that is what worries me when having to buy fragrances online..how old are the bottles..?!? Especially the ones that were some time ago discontinued.
So good to read that another person loves Ocean Dream as well :-D….
Gosh, I'll have to find this Giorgio Ocean Dream!
Hard to believe Demi Jour hasn't been massively reformulated, I agree.
My vote goes to Globe de Rochas, for a man's fragrance.
It could be e a hit now, albeit slightly reformulated…I loooooved it and it was a perfume that was a true magnet for attention 😉
Too bad I was a teen and didn't took advantage of that! damn! 😀
And for female… Teatro Alla Scala by Krizia…
My dad brought samples of this on the late 80's after a trip to Europe… In my young mind… this was what an italian Lady smelt like while on a visit to watch theatre at La Scala 🙂
I must say that I used the extra bath-gel to take deeply perfumed baths, not suitable for a teenager…specially a male one… but what the hell! It smelled like heaven to me.
I saw some bottles last year in a store specialized in discontinued Perfumes in Santiago de Chile.
I remember Giorgio Armani Ocean Dream as well! It was in an iridescent baby blue bottle if I remember correctly. It reminds me of when I was really young (*sigh*) and had just started loving perfume, now I am a full blown perfumeholic!
Two more I've never smelled, and probably never will! I've actually never tried a single Krizia — don't think they are widely distributed in the US.
Last year I snagged a bargain K de Krizia for a female friend here in Buenos Aires.. it was hidden in a Pharmacy/ Perfume Shop, it's box dusty and in a low shelf!!.. I love when I get to “hunt” an unusual frag like that!
I have never seen them on my 2 trips to the US, nor have any u.s. friends told me to have seen it.
The Krizias are very 80's and I guess you would like them, either because their playfulness or by their retro value at least 🙂
I love those dusty lower shelf finds — but most of the independent drug stores in the US are gone now, so they're rare here.
Hello all-
I've been a lurker for about a year now. I don't remember how it was I stumbled on to the site – I must have been very good in another life. I can't telll you how much I enjoy reading the entries and comments (I have tried one new fragrance and re-tried an old fave so far as a result of the luscious descriptiions contained on these pages). I work as an editor in my professional life, and must tell you that I'm torn in whether I find greater deliight in the educational value of the site or the finely honed literary tone of the words I -frankly–swim in while I'm here.
Anyway–I really miss Yohji “Essential” by Yohji Yamamoto. My best friend and I were shopping together on the day we were first introduced to it and both of us immediately loved and swore our undying allegiance to it. It was the signature fragrance for each of us for many years until, to our collective horror, it was discontinued. I did manage to find a bottle on eBay that I was able to procure for the price of only one of my appendages, and with which I gifted my BF on her 50th. I miss it (especially now that I'm getting a divorce and don't have to factor in my spouse's unkind opinion of it). I don't know why it wouldn't sell – don't know why it didn't. Perhaps the price point? I paid it willingly enough every 5 or 6 months, even when I was singing for my supper. . .
Where are my manners? I just realized I didn't even say “I'm new!”…and hello!. So hello, everyone – this is a lovely forum.
On L'Origan, it's odd but I don't detect much of a difference from when my mother wore it back in the 50s through the 80s. Same with L'Aimant, which she wore as well – it was a bit softer scent, much easier on the nose (L'Origan can be a bit overwhelming).
I almost missed this inspired piece of yours, Robin, and all the little side trips down memory lane.
Theorema was THE fragrance that kick-started my current addiction to FB multiple-bottle fragrance purchasing and real collecting. For years I bought a new bottle of something completely different to replace each empty bottle of fragrance. (The thought of actually owning three or four different scents at a time seemed positively decadent to me in my twenties and thirties. Hard to believe now!) I stalked that bottle of Theorema for MONTHS at the department store, circling closer and closer, and just about hyperventilated when I finally got up the nerve to buy it. I didn't have much money at the time and it seemed such a reckless extravagance.
Yes, a loonnng time ago!
What I wish they'd bring back is Germaine Monteil's Bakir. It was discontinued in the eighties sometime. I think it was FAR ahead of its time. It was a dark amber in colour, supremely smoky, incensey, woody and softly, richly spicy. . Sigh. . .Because it was a fragrance from a lesser-known (albeit respected) cosmetic line, I think it just was under the radar back then — too edgy for its conservative clientele. Now, packaged as a niche scent — I love the name, wouldn't change it — I think it would be HUGE!!!
P.S. A quick Google for Bakir turned up .5 oz parfum on 1st Perfume for $299.99. . .
Oh I remember Yohji…it was so different from the other fragrances at the time! Wish I could thy Yohji now for would appreciate it so much more…
Hi Judy, and welcome! So glad you like the site.
And you've added yet another scent to my “never tried, never will” list. I'm amazed at how many scents people are coming up with for this post! Looks like you can find the YY Essential shower gel online easily enough, but I'm sure that is no substitute.
Ah, then welcome!
L'Origan is certain to have been reformulated drastically since its release in 1905 — not only because of changes in available materials, but also because the price point has changed (it is now a mass market scent). I'm told the vintage is a huge improvement, but I've only smelled the modern, and good to know it smells about the same to you!
Whew…I wouldn't pay that for anything. What a shame. I had never heard of Bakir, and I think you're right — needed a bigger name (or a celebrity spokesperson). I don't even know if Germaine Monteil is still in business…
I keep reading all the raves about Fendi's Theorema – but haven't found it anywhere to try. Does anyone have an idea where I might find some? Thanks!
Well, I'm not quite as vintage as 1905:-) but I do remember it from the 50sonward, when my mamita wore it. However, I suspect that a lot of what I'm 'smelling' may be just memory – it smells 'close enough', if that makes sense, which triggers the cnnection – for all I know it doesn't smell the same at all…..
I know this is a bit off-topic….but I'm still thrown by the positive responses I get from the Coty fragrances – I mean, they're not all that interesting, IMO, yet people just swoon over them. Any thoughts?
It has been discontinued for a couple years now, so don't think you're going to find a tester. If you're willing to take a chance on an unsniffed purchase, you can find an unboxed 100 ml tester at perfumebay for $38, or a regular 100 ml bottle for $78 at perfumemart.
Truly, “close enough” is better than many other fragrances have fared!
L'Origan, even at it's current price, smells sort of luxurious & old-fashioned in comparison to so much of what is on the market today, so perhaps that is what people are reacting to? Just guessing, of course — I've no idea 😉
Robin, do you know what I miss in this great inspring Another lazy Friday poll..!?? THE MEN and which fragrances they would love to see make a comeback..!!!!!
Hey guys, give us a moment of your time and tell us your no doubt, really interesting Perfume Stories and which ones should come back on the shelves.
Tell us your stories for you are way too modest on this lovely blog ! ! !
Yep, that's a pretty nutty price, all right. Germain Monteil, sadly, has gone the way of Helena Rubenstein (does anyone remember her?). At the time, if memory serves, her fragrances were priced at the level of, say, Christian Dior, or very slightly lower. I'm thinking of who I'd choose as celebrity spokesperson for Bakir. Cate Blanchett, perhaps? She's got the brains, expressiveness and soul for it. Because it's dark and resinous, it might be pigeon-holed as one of those *sultry brunette* scents, but, as a pasty bottle blonde who really loves smoky scents, among other styles, I'm obviously not a big fan of perpetuating those fragrance stereotypes
I'd pick YSL Rive Gauche and Estee Lauder's Aliage. I'd buy them today if I could. Maybe I should seek them out now that the internet exists.
I too would love to have Giorgio of Beverley Hills Ocean Dream back. When I first saw the advertising for it, I somehow knew it would be me. And was it ever! The pale blue, green or pink sand-eroded bottles with the baroque pearl ring at the neck were like the ones that one might find on a wind-swept beach. On Michael Edward's list of fragance equivalents, I discovered that there was a ten year anniversary new one called Ocean Dream Coral in an coral bottle. I haven't seen it in Canada and long for a trip to the States to try it.
At about the same time, I was working in cosmetics and fragrances. If a I had dime for every person that asked for Germaine Monteil's Royal Secret, I would've been rich. When we discovered 3 bottles of Galore that had been long-forgotten in the stock room, they sold quickly. We had hundreds of requests from the States for Royal Secret. We heard that the company had been sold to an African company and then to one in New York. So who knows what the status of Germaine Monteil is now. Her Eau de Monteil was interesting and evocative of another era. Helena Rubenstein is available in Europe and Toronto, the last I heard. Not sure about her fragrances.
I had the pink bottle, the smallest of the three.
Helena Rubinstein still exists. Is widely available in Europe. They have great skincare products and nice makeup too.
Never heard of perfumes by HR though.
On their website you can see more of this company with Demi Moore as their model – good choice. http://www.helenarubinstein.com
Hope you will love it — it needs more fans!
Aliage you can buy right from esteelauder.com — EL is really awfully good about keeping their classics in production. Also bear in mind that many EL counters have testers that aren't on display, so it is worth asking if you just want to smell it again.
Rive Gauche can be found at most of the major online discounters.
I still like Paula Dorf's fragrance.. Sheesh, I forgot the name of it…
It was a nice sharp rose scent in a art deco bottle.. Does anyone remember the name of this?
At the perfumestore nearby me they still have a big tester of EL Knowing and I love Knowing so much, still there other fragrances that come first 🙂
Zita! I lucked out and snagged a bottle at TJ Maxx before it disappeared entirely. Lovely, green/grassy rose.
Just an FYI – I was looking around on Amazon today and there is a listing for Ocean Dream. Having never tried it I don't know if it's the right one. It's a blue frosted bottle with a silver cap. It's only about $30 (I didn't think to snatch the address so I could link it, sorry!).
Oh wow! Lucky you….
I should've bought a bottle when I had the chance at Sephora many years ago. I just love that art deco bottle and the juice!!
Rose I have been looking for Ocean Dream on Amazon but could not find it. Had no idea that Amazon also sold fragrances..:)
Here's a tiny link to the Ocean Dream stuff on Amazon. Hope that helps someone!
http://tinyurl.com/ywtx2j
Thank you Rose 🙂 !!
No, I think the yellow plastic globe was a Faberge scent called “Kiku”.
Paradis! A scent exclusive to Saks and no longer available. In the vein of ,maybe, Arpege in that it was a big, luxurious, floral,fragrance with some mild oriental hints. It came in an art deco bottle. I guess it wasn't popular as it was what I call a “serious” perfume-not to be taken lightly and requiring almost a commitment on the part of those who wore it.
Deneuve
Nombre Noir
Apres l 'Ondee
how could I forget the Gobin Daude discontinued line?
Jardins Ottomans
Nuit au Desert
Seve Exquise
Sous le Buis
Biche dans l 'Absinthe
poetry, fragility, these fragrances were so unique and truly beautiful!
Apres L'Ondee is still in production. You can buy it at Bergdorf Goodman in NY. Do wish the Gobin Daude line would come back.