The Last French Empress Eugenia and her Fragrances

The theme of royal splendour, gold and other precious materials in contemporary perfumes is very accurate. After massive and democratic fragrances, it is interesting to visualize the atmosphere of Western castle or sultan's palace. This time I would like to take you to the French court of the 19th century, the time of Napoleon the Third and his charming wife Eugenia’s rule. Their names were mentioned as sponsors in history of several perfume houses.

Napoleon the Third, a snob in the eyes of European royal courts, decided to marry for love after several unsuccessful trials to marry for political reasons.

The woman he chose was a Spanish aristocrat, beautiful countess Eugenie de Montijo, who he met at one of court balls before he came to the throne.

Beautiful Eugenia, who was elegant and extravagant, dictated fashion trends on the court, mingled with European queens and influential aristocratic women, was adored by everyone and inspired artists, of course.

Many perfumers, among whom were two royal perfume houses Creed and Rance, dedicated their creations to her.

Aleksandar Rance created a perfume for charming Eugenia. It is as gentle and magic as the favourite woman of France and the whole Europe.

The original fragrance can best be described with his descendant, Sandra Rance's words, who collected archives and relaunched the perfume Eugenie in 2006. Its scent, as stated by the House, retained the spirit of its antecedent.

The perfume Eugenie by Rance is girly gentle, its composition is clear and fresh thanks to presence of several sorts of juicy fruits: melon, passion fruit, peach. White flowers notes in the heart (lily of the valley, jasmine, rose, orange blossom) carry a scent of elegance. Mild, powdery base notes round up the fragrance in a harmonic way. This is a gentle, fruity-floral fragrance, which is not banal, but absolutely supports ambitions of the house of Rance to retrieve its authority.

Another perfume I would like to mention in connection with Empress Eugenia is a perfume by the house of Creed named Jasmin Imperatrice Eugenie, created in 1870, and later processed and relaunched in 1989. This perfume, as well as the perfume Rance is aristocratic from its first to last notes, but is more complex and warmer.

If the first perfume is appropriate for little Princess, this one is for magnificent Queen. This is a first fragrance for ladies, which intoxicates with its old-fashioned elegance, smooth and deep notes which pass into one another without sharpness. Everything is rounded up by an ingenious hand of the master. White flowers are clear and peaceful, thanks to a powdery wave of sandalwood and vanilla. Their dept and warm, velvety texture bring us back to ancient times of kings and queens. 

Author Jeca: (jeca)
Fragrantica Member