An Heiress’ Perfume
I hadn’t tried L’Air du Temps in a long time. Even though it is considered a classic fragrance, it’s always been a loyal drugstore brand although I haven’t seen it at my local CVS in a while.
For many years, there was a small independent pharmacy in the village where I live. At the back counter, past all the remedies, were several bottles of L’air du Temps in creamy white boxes. One dark night – a very rainy one, I happened to see a slender hooded figure walk to the back of the pharmacy and in a whisper, ask for a bottle of L’Air du Temps. As if he had done it a hundred times before, the kindly old pharmacist reached for a box from the shelf behind him, opened it carefully, and then displayed in his palm, the crystalline Lalique bottle to what turned out to be our town’s beautiful young heiress. Rumor has it…
The romance of that moment – which could have taken place in the very heart of Paris – the lore, the stormy night is what I recalled when I saw this lovely ad from Seventeen ’73. And here, L’Air du Temps is called “The Romantic Perfume” and I think they’ve illustrated it very nicely with the young woman with long blond tresses in a simple hat who surprisingly resembles our curious young villager.
My imagination surmises that our heiress could probably purchase the most costly perfumes in the world (the family business is a very well-known hosiery empire) and yet, she shops at the local pharmacy in a small fishing village for her bottle of The Most Romantic Perfume. But that doesn’t surprise me really because although she is a rather ethereal personage, I do see her locally from time to time.
After researching the scent, I decided I wanted to sample it again. I went to a perfume outlet that sells overstock fragrances and found a small tester. Still being a rather inexpensive perfume, I was surprised to smell how full-bodied it is. There is a hint of Bergamot but the peppery carnation made me sneeze. The bottle is breathtakingly beautiful and indeed romantic, with two doves nuzzling each other in translucent glass – it must look impressive on a dresser or vanity. The history of L’Air du Temps was interesting to read, especially that the fragrance was created after WWII and that its iconic bottle was designed with world peace in mind.
However much I reject the perfume for myself, it will always be associated with our lithe and somewhat otherworldly village heiress. She certainly trails a storied and romantic wake…
Do you wear L’Air du Temps? I would love to hear about it…
PS: Thank you for all your thoughtful comments of late. I hope to write more frequently in October.
7 Comments
Sandra Sallin
Oh, I loved L'air du temps. Somehow I don't wear it anymore but loved it for many years. Who knows when I become an heiress I will buy it again.
Katie Clooney
I wore it for a few years. Every time that I catch a whiff of it, I am reminded of younger days. Enjoy your weekend.
Erina
I wish I had such a good story to contribute to the comments, but unfortunately I tried L'Air du Temps when I was young and found it far too spicy. What a iconic bottle though! I wanted to wear it just to own the bottle.
Donna, the words you chose: Heiress, Hooded Figure, Dark Night, Whisper, were perfect. Those were the poetry. I so enjoy your stories – prose poetry. Such a unique voice. I would love to read a story of your life in fragrance, the perfumes that scented different chapters. That would make a lovely post.
As always, thank you for sharing your world with us!
LadyJicky
I have read that its a favourite of the actress Morgan Fairchild .
Donna Macdonald
Seabluens…what a charming story! Had I known I would surely have woven it into my story!
Karen…I am so glad you loved my perfume tale! Thank you!
Anonymous
My father was a bartender at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas for many years. One night, someone left a bottle of L'Air du Temps parfum, unopened and in its box, at the bar and never came back for it. Dad brought it home. Mom didn't care for it, so he gave it to me. I was a young teen at the time. I loved it and wore it (sparingly) for years, until the bottle was empty. I've never had any since, but I'd love to try it again, for the memories if nothing else.
Karen
I love this story…soooo romantic and charming, Donna! Thank you for sharing it with us. Not being a L'Air du Temps (which means…the atmosphere of the times, perhaps, another nod to the peace doves?), I'm still entranced by this tale. Thank you!!! XO< Karen