A few days ago, Max Forti did me the honour of inviting me over to his YouTube channel for the first of what will hopefully be a series of decade-by-decade rundowns of our favourite perfumes. The opening instalment focussed on the 1970s, and you can watch it above or by clicking on the following link: best perfumes of the 1970s.
In order to trail the video on my own channel, I decided to broadcast an episode of Love At First Scent on a perfume that didn’t quite make my final list: Estee Lauder Private Collection, the gorgeous green chypre composed by Vincent Marcello and released in 1974. You can watch it below or by clicking on this link: Estee Lauder Private Collection review.
Hats off to Lauder for continuing to make this stuff. I suspect not many people buy it nowadays, but how wonderful that a brand as unequivocally mainstream as this still features in its catalogue a piece of work with such a retro aesthetic. Private Collection doesn’t hold back with the green notes, but it also never allows them to diminish the piercing beauty of the hyacinth in the heart or the velvety texture of the mosses in the base. A convincingly North American response to Chanel No. 19 and easily one of the finest perfumes from a decade that gave us so many gems.
Persolaise
[Estee Lauder Private Collection review based on a sample from my personal collection.]
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I live in Virgin Islands and in the 1980’s a small Perfumery in St Thomas sold a French perfume (name forgotten) that was light scent w a hint of rose but without the usual heaviness . It was very seductive but subtle , slowly releasing its slightly powdery scent. You just wanted to continue to enjoy its bouquet. Men & women both loved this scent when i love it. Simple bottle and clear. Any ideas of the name or designer would be much appreciated!
Oh dear, I’m so sorry – I don’t think I can help.
The orange colored perfume I remember was called GEM , bulky bottle w diamond shape stopper. Maybe ?
Sorry — doesn’t ring any bells for me.