Decades before beauty pioneers Estée Lauder and Elizabeth Arden released fragrances for their cosmetics brands, even before Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel put her name on the now-iconic No. 5 in 1921, Ann Haviland was a celebrated American perfumer with a creative approach to making and selling fragrance. Her motto was “A perfume for every woman and to every woman her own perfume”—and although her name is now largely forgotten, her career deserves a look back.
— (Our own) Jessica Murphy, writing in Ann Haviland, Forgotten Mastermind of the Signature Scent at Atlas Obscura.
Great article. I had never heard of her and I read almost any book on perfume recommended here. And, Atlas Obscura is so fun. I read it every morning right after NST!
Thank you! I really like Atlas Obscura, so I was happy that they liked this idea when I pitched it to them.
They also organize excellent events in NYC and many other cities!
Fascinating read! Interesting that she made a perfume for cigarettes, just the way Molinard’s Habanita started out. I wonder if they got the idea individually? News back then obviously travelled much slower than today.
I had never of her, or Atlas Obscura, before. Two interesting new acquaintances, even though I will never have the pleasure to smell a Haviland creation.
Atlas Obscura sends out a short email with a few links each morning if you sign up. I got to hear one of the founders speak and do a slide show with Q&A at local bookstore with Mary Roach interviewing him when they released a book last year. Very fun, odd, and high energy.
Thanks for the tip! Fun, odd and high energy is right up my straße.
A perfume to fit the soul. Marvelous. Wonderful story, thank you for sharing the link.
Oh! Just remembered I wanted to share this article I enjoyed a few days ago, “Writing for the smell of it,” over at kottke.org.
https://kottke.org/17/12/writing-for-the-smell-of-it
I’m glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks!
The librarians in the room will recognize a variation on that motto. Raganathan wasn’t so original after all!
I wonder whether there’s an even earlier use of that phrasing!
Glad everyone like Jessica’s article!