Rosine's Narghile Cigarette Perfume

In 1924, Paul Poiret introduced a line of perfumes meant to scent the tobacco inside cigarettes. He named the line Narghile and sold it under the Rosine name. A narghile is the name for a Middle Eastern hookah pipe. The cigarette perfumes were the same extraits sold in his Rosine shop, just sold inside of small breakable glass ampules that look exactly like perfume Nips:

• Le Balcon
• Nuit de Chine
• Hahna
• Borgia
• Maharadjah

If one didn't want to be bothered with scenting their own cigarettes, Rosine offered pre-scented cigarettes in packs of ten. For demonstration of the cigarettes, some of the milliner's heads at the Poiret couture shop had a small opening at the corner of the mouth into which one of the Rosine perfumed cigarettes could be placed.

"Connoisseurs and refined... flavor your cigarettes with the Narghile. Rosine's latest creation. These very fine bulbs containing the rare essences of Rosine make it possible to impregnate the tobacco and not the paper and to spread around oneself curls of a deliciously fragrant smoke.

• The case of 12 bulbs...6 francs
• The case of 36 bulbs...18 francs
• The case of 72 vials...30 francs

Luxury Tobacco and Chez Rosine offices, 107 Faubourg St Honore."

Le Crapouillot, 1921:

"Monsieur and Madame don't get along. Monsieur smokes too much and brings back in his clothes, I don't know what dirty smell of sealing wax and tobacco that poisons even the cupboards. Madame's dresses smell of tobacco and the maid has given her account. Life together is intolerable. But Monsieur has found a way and peace has returned because he smokes his cigarettes at the Narghilé. Madame is having a lot of fun breaking the thin glass bulb herself. It's a small operation that enchants her and gives her a pretext for all sorts of coquetry. She gazes rapturously at the fragrance that flows and bathes in the wisps of smoke. The household now lives in a fragrant and balsamic cloud. Love and tobacco!...

The Music Hall is a delicious place where you can smoke at ease. But, there are neighbors who grimace when tobacco is not to their liking. A little advice to amateurs: Thanks to the Narghilé, creation of Rosine, you can now flavor the smoke as you wish and the neighbors are asking for more. The Narghilé can be found in all luxury tobacconists."

 

1925 by Rosine c1925

The perfume "1925" by Rosine, launched on the day of the opening of the 1925 Decorative Arts Exhibition in Paris, was deeply intertwined with the cultural and artistic milieu of the time. The 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes was a landmark event that defined the Art Deco movement, showcasing modern and innovative designs that emphasized luxury, elegance, and a forward-looking aesthetic. This exposition not only celebrated the latest in decorative arts but also set the tone for fashion, design, and lifestyle in the mid-1920s.

Naming the perfume "1925" was a strategic and evocative choice. Paul Poiret, a pioneering fashion designer and the creative mind behind Rosine, understood the importance of branding and the power of cultural references. By christening the perfume "1925," Poiret linked it directly to the zeitgeist of the era, encapsulating the modernity and sophistication that the exposition represented. The name "1925" would have resonated with contemporary women who were captivated by the excitement and innovation of the Art Deco movement. It symbolized not just a year, but an entire cultural and aesthetic revolution, appealing to those who wished to align themselves with the cutting-edge trends and the glamorous lifestyle of the time.

Women of the 1920s, especially those attending or aware of the Paris exposition, would likely have felt a strong connection to a perfume named "1925." It represented a shared cultural moment, a year marked by significant advancements in art and design. The name alone would have evoked images of sleek, geometric patterns, luxurious materials, and the bold, modern woman. Wearing "1925" would have been akin to wearing a piece of the era’s spirit, an olfactory symbol of contemporary sophistication and elegance.

Chypre des Iles by Rosine c1925

"Chypre des Iles," launched by Rosine in 1925, captures the essence of a time when Mediterranean islands held a magnetic allure for European travelers. These destinations were sought after for their luxurious resorts, pristine beaches, and opportunities for cultural exploration. Visitors indulged in leisurely pursuits, soaking in the sun by day and exploring ancient Greek, Roman, Minoan, Etruscan, and Egyptian ruins by sunset. The islands represented a fusion of natural beauty and historical richness, making them a perfect inspiration for a perfume that sought to evoke both sophistication and escapism.

The name "Chypre des Iles" is apt for a fragrance designed by Paul Poiret, a visionary fashion designer known for his exotic and avant-garde creations. "Chypre" originally refers to Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean, and in perfumery, it signifies a fragrance category characterized by citrus top notes, floral middle notes, and a base of oakmoss, labdanum, and patchouli. "Des Iles," meaning "of the islands," further enhances the perfume's appeal by conjuring images of sun-drenched shores, lush vegetation, and the salty breeze of the sea. This combination of elements paints a sensory picture that resonates with the romanticized notions of Mediterranean beauty and elegance.

Paul Poiret's choice of the name "Chypre des Iles" aligns with the era's fascination with exoticism and the Mediterranean's cultural and natural allure. The name evokes a sense of luxury and adventure, appealing to women of the period who embraced perfumes as symbols of sophistication and personal expression. "Chypre des Iles" would have been particularly attractive to those who appreciated fragrances that embodied both the refined pleasures of resort life and the timeless allure of ancient civilizations. In essence, the perfume encapsulates the spirit of early 20th-century Mediterranean escapism, offering wearers a sensory journey to a world of elegance, beauty, and cultural exploration.