Hi there UGL, It’s Portia and I am looking at four things released in 1921 that are still widely available. Yep, Centenary Perfumes! My search goes only as far as Fragrantica so it’s probably not a full list. I really want to hear if you know of others in the comments. Yeah, a century of continuous production. Amazing, right? Let’s look eh?
Welcome from 1921 to 2021
CHANEL No 5
Most of us are well aware of CHANEL No 5. One of the most talked about and bought fragrances in the world, still. Known in the industry as “the monster”. It’s allure seems so timeless and is an easy, sensible, luxurious gift choice for flummoxed husbands and lovers the world over. The aldehydic floral that changed the game of perfumery. That it still smells pretty much like itself 100 years later is a miracle of modern technology.
Emeraude by Coty
I had a small bottle of vino-ish Emeraude early on in my collecting saga. My memory is that it screeched at me. Maybe it was off or fake or maybe it’s just not for me. Green is my favourite colour so you can imagine how sad I was. There are people who swear by it and that’s why it’s still in production. It’s a hard no from me.
Habanita by Molinard
Habanita is a weird one. I had a bottle. Loved wearing it. Somewhere along the line I sold or gifted it away. Now I have a small carded sample vial the I sniff when I need a fix. Who doesn’t love a vintage style fruity floral amber with loads of oak moss in the base?
Maja by Myrurgia
I’ve never owned a bottle of Maja perfume but to this very day I still have some soaps. My Mum always had Maja soaps in her knicker drawers. Me too. That spicy carnation, orange blossom and rose and amber+++ base is glorious in the soaps. They hold their scent to the very last sliver too when I finally use them.
So Happy 100th Birthday to these beauties.
Do you know of others?
Portia xx
Undina's Looking Glass 
Hey Portia
What a great idea!
Habanita really is a weird one. It’s as close as I get to loving a tobacco/vetiver fragrance – but only at a distance. Nearly bought a travel bottle when we visited Molinard but I know it’s not something I’d ever wear.
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Hiya Tara,
Thanks.
The modern Habanita is much less ferocious than the vintage one, it might be the one? Sunny, I thought you liked leather. Aren’t you a Cuir d’Ange fan?
Portia xx
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I love a classy birch tar leather but to me, Habanita is vetiver and Cuir d’Ange is a plastic doll’s head. Cuir de Lancome is my jam.
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WOW!
Cuir d’Ange is a plastic doll’s head
Now I’m going to have top go back and try mine again.
Portia x
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The one I’ve found that’s still alive and kicking today is Kiehl’s Original Musk, and I know you wear it. Cannot believe it’s been around so long. Those Maja soaps sound incredible.
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OOOOOH! Cassieflower! I had no idea about Kiehl’s Original Musk Oil either. DAMNIT! It definitely should have been included.
Thanks for the heads up.
Portia xx
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I have a tiny vintage splash bottle of Emeraude. I did a quick search and found a list on parfumo- so many perfume houses that don’t exist anymore!
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Hi MMKinPA,
Lucky you. Does it smell good?
Yes, so much has not stayed the course.
Portia xx
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100 years, exciting! I love Emeraude; I have a vintage bottle that smells SO good. Ditto for Maja. I adore the Maja soaps. They are great for scenting drawers and to use as soaps as well. No. 5 is an icon and I love the newer versions of it on my skin. The original smells divine on other people but doesn’t work so well for me. Habanita I cannot wear at all and I have tried it a few times. I like a bit of skank but Habanita smells so supremely skanky on my skin it makes me smell like I haven’t washed in a month or so.
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HA! Ricky!
“Habanita smells so supremely skanky on my skin it makes me smell like I haven’t washed in a month or so” definitely not working for you. Bummer.
Isn’t it a bummer when something most people adore smells crap on you? So annoying.
Portia xx
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Habanita must smell wonderful on many people as it is so loved, but I’ll never know… LOL
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HA!
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My mother had allergies and never wore perfume. However, when I was a teen a perfume store opened in our small downtown in Bellingham. It was the so elegant and they had a basket of lovely miniatures – something even a teenager could afford. A mini of Maja was the first perfume I ever purchased and I loved it!!!!
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OOOOH! I love that story ElizaC.
Thanks for sharing.
Portia xx
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I owned a vintage bottle of Maja! But gave it to an Airbnb guest (a retired army truck driver of a certain age), for whom it had massive nostalgia value.
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That’s such a lovely thing to do Vanessa. I bet he was so appreciative.
Portia xx
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100 years?! Impressive! I’ll give Chanel No 5 one more chance soon: once every couple of years I check if I changed my mind about No 5 or Shalimar. Not yet :)
I don’t know any other perfumes from 1921, and I’m impressed that you thought of this idea!
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Thanks Undina,
You may like the new version of No 5. It’s considerably lighter and fresher. A modern take.
Portia xx
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