The Scent of the Century
Mom wanted to delight me with this little bottle of genuine JOY perfume when I became a mother. The, uh, aroma gave me such a headache. I’ve saved the treasure ever since 1974, but I’m still leery of even a little whiff of it.
One photo started a delightful rabbit trail, because what I do enjoy about this little bottle of expensive perfume is its history.
The American press called Jean Patou the most elegant man in Europe. He created his own fashion house in 1914, but the Great Depression caused the market for luxury fashion to collapse. Created in 1929 by perfumer Henri Almeras in 1929, JOY was introduced in 1930. Even though pricy, it became a success, saving Patou’s company. It remains their most famous fragrance.
Voted by the public in the 2000 Fragrance Foundation FiFi Awards, JOY was chosen the “Scent of the Century.”
According to Fragrantica.com, “The nose behind this floral fragrance is [perfumer] Henri Almeras. Top notes are Bulgarian Rose, Ylang-Ylang and Tuberose; middle notes are Jasmine and May Rose; base notes are Musk and Sandalwood.”
I confess that this Iowa farm girl prefers the aroma of recently mown hay to expensive fragrances. But my little bottle of JOY is another winsome heirloom with a story.
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Don’t you just love those pleasurable rabbit trails!?
Yes! It certainly wasn’t what I’d planned to do yesterday, but such fun!
Of course, now I’m really curious about what the perfume smelled like. At first glance, I’m guessing it looks like a shotgun shell?
Tabu was another I couldn’t tolerate. Yes, a shotgun shell! Guy did a doubletake.
I remember when it was all the rage to wear colognes and perfumes,so your blog certainly brought back memories.Of course, I feel the same way you do now-let me smell the earth, the lakes, and wet streets!
Bless you, Nancy. Yes, wet streets!
Interesting… but I rolled my eyes for the first few lines . Joy thinks guys want to read a post on scent of a perfume ?!?
Loved the post; especially fresh rolled hay smell; which is so nostalgic. It takes my wife and I back to childhood, a season and places in the heart.
Thanks, Dave. My sister and I used to even breathe in the scent of the dried hay/clover corner of the Ag Building at the Iowa State Fair!
Sweet memory. Most perfumes give me a headache, so I can definitely relate. Like you, I would hang on to the lovely gift because of its sentimental value.
I’ve held onto it for 48 years and counting! Maybe someday our son will give it to his daughter, who is almost 6.
Side note off subject trajectory.(yes, guy stuff I guess)..When I was newly married I managed a couple of egg laying chicken barns (300k chickens). I often told my wife I was going to bottle some of the chicken waste and keep it so if I ever tried to get another job like that I could bring that bottle out and take sniff of it before deciding what to do.
Yikes! Is that why my farmer dad didn’t want chickens on the farm?
A shotgun shell 🙂
Yes!
I don’t use perfumes or colognes..makes me sneeze. Your Baby son was so sweet. Anita
Anita, I buy everything unscented if I can.
Yes I don’t either