Irissime Noir by Jacques Fath c2014

Irissime Noir by Jacques Fath: launched in 2014.

Ellipse by Jacques Fath c1972

Jacques Fath's choice of the name Ellipse for his 1972 fragrance is intriguing, embodying both elegance and enigma. The word "ellipse" originates from the Greek word "elleipsis," meaning "a falling short" or "omission," but in geometry, it refers to a smooth, elongated curve—an oval shape that represents perfection in imperfection. The name Ellipse suggests a sense of continuity, an endless loop, and a journey that, while not linear, is refined and sophisticated. This concept resonates deeply with the nature of the scent itself, which is both complex and harmonious, reflecting the cyclical, ever-evolving essence of a woman's allure.

The word Ellipse evokes images of fluidity and grace, a seamless blend of curves and angles that captures the essence of movement and femininity. It suggests a sense of mystery and allure, as the shape itself is one that can be seen from many angles, yet never fully grasped in a single glance. This mirrors the multi-faceted nature of the fragrance, which unfolds in layers, revealing different aspects of its character over time. The emotional response to Ellipse is one of intrigue, sophistication, and timeless elegance, qualities that would resonate with the modern, confident woman of the 1970s.

Interpreting Ellipse in scent, one would imagine a fragrance that is both structured and fluid, with each note contributing to a sense of movement and balance. The dry but warm chypre classification suggests a fragrance that is grounded yet inviting, with a dominant leather note that speaks to strength and refinement. The top notes of citrus and aromatic herbs would provide a fresh, invigorating introduction, reminiscent of the clarity and brightness of an ellipse's curve. As the fragrance settles, a complex floral heart of rose, jasmine, tuberose, and carnation would unfold, adding depth and warmth, much like the deeper hues seen within an elliptical shape. The base notes of oakmoss, exotic woods, leather, and musk would anchor the fragrance, providing a rich, earthy finish that lingers like the enduring impact of a well-crafted scent.

Fath de Fath by Jacques Fath c1953

Fath de Fath, created by Jacques Bersia, and launched by Jacques Fath in 1953, carries a name imbued with both personal and sophisticated connotations. The phrase "Fath de Fath" essentially translates to "Fath's Essence" or "Fath's Own" in French, attributing the fragrance directly to its creator, Jacques Fath. This naming choice reflects a sense of personal imprint and intimate connection to the fragrance, positioning it as a direct extension of Fath’s own refined taste and style. The repetition of "Fath" emphasizes the exclusivity and personal nature of the scent, suggesting a perfume that is both uniquely and intimately tied to the designer's identity.

The term "Fath de Fath" evokes images of elegance and sophistication, with a touch of French allure. It conjures a sense of luxury and refinement, suggesting a fragrance that is both classic and deeply personal. This sentiment is mirrored in the perfume's composition, which features a delicate yet complex blend of floral and oriental notes. The name implies a scent that is not only a reflection of Fath's artistry but also an embodiment of timeless elegance.

In terms of scent, Fath de Fath can be interpreted as a sophisticated interplay of light and depth. The fragrance opens with a bright, aldehydic sparkle that introduces a refreshing, clean facet. This is followed by a dominant floral heart, where rose and jasmine are prominently featured, offering a rich and romantic bouquet. The chypre base adds a layer of depth and complexity, characterized by the earthy and woody notes of vetiver and citron bark. The muted symphony of additional notes—tea, violet, cedar, gardenia, alpine mosses, and precious woods—creates a harmonious and nuanced composition, evoking a sense of quiet luxury and understated elegance.

Women of the early 1950s would have related to Fath de Fath as a symbol of sophistication and modernity. The 1950s perfume landscape was marked by a preference for complex and refined fragrances, often with a blend of floral and oriental elements. Fath de Fath aligns with these trends while offering a distinctive twist with its prominent rose and jasmine notes, supported by a chypre base that provides both freshness and depth. Its light yet rich character would have appealed to women seeking a fragrance that was both modern and timeless, capturing the essence of post-war elegance with a touch of personal distinction.

Overall, Fath de Fath stands out as a reflection of Jacques Bersia’s craftsmanship and the sophisticated fragrance trends of the 1950s. Its blend of aldehydic freshness, floral richness, and chypre depth makes it a quintessential example of mid-century elegance, appealing to those who appreciated a scent that was both refined and deeply evocative.

Where Should I Apply Perfume?

As a general rule, fragrance should be applied to pulse points. This is where the blood vessels are closest to the skin giving off more heat and acting like mini fragrance pumps.

Pulse points are the wrist, crook of the arm and back of the knee, and the base of the throat. Also, for long lasting fragrance spray at the ankles, it allows the fragrance to blossom up. For a sexy twist, apply perfume to your cleavage or spray perfume on your nude body before dressing. The nape of the neck, is a very romantic area, whenever your hair moves it might swish the perfume around, nice little subtle trail of perfumed loveliness.

Apply perfume right after you take a shower or bath. Your pores are more open then and will more easily soak up the scent. Some people say that rubbing the wrists together will crush the scent, I tried this with different perfumes over the course of two weeks, just to see if its true, it seemed to me that the friction of rubbing the wrists together actually heated up the fragrances and made them seem more potent.

I have read though that the perfume can react not so nicely to the first layer of skin...and give off a smell that isn't pleasant. Others say that to spray the perfume in the air and then walk into it, I have done this before, and it seems that it lets you control the amount of fragrance that is applied to your skin, rather than spraying directly onto the skin, this works best with heavier perfumes.

I spray perfumes on my clothes when I want to make the scent last longer, I won't spray perfume on fragile fabrics like silks or lace. You can spray your coat with perfume. Also an old tip is to apply pure parfum extrait to your furs. Doing this is up to your own discretion.

Do not apply perfume after you put your jewelry on, take it off first, then apply the perfume. The chemicals in perfume can leave stains or have chemical reactions to the metals, Pearls are especially susceptible to damage from perfume since it destroys their lustre.

Coco Chanel always said to apply perfume where you want to be kissed. I read an old perfume guide from the 1930s and it mentioned that you can apply perfume to your fingertips and eyebrows. Also apply perfume to a cotton ball and tuck it into your brassiere. Apply perfume to your hankies or gloves.

Jeanne Lanvin of Lanvin Perfumes suggested that you should apply perfume wherever your clothes cover your body, that way it will seem if it is coming from within and blend with the natural oils of your skin to make a truly individual fragrance. She also says the best time to apply perfume is 15 or 20 minutes before you are about to go out, that way the perfume has time to "set".

A 1924 ad for Ann Haviland perfumes suggests:

#1. to apply perfume to your eyebrows as the short hairs of the eyebrows retain the perfume longer than the skin since evaporation takes place more slowly.Besides, this is an ideal two-some,the girl usually comes up to a man's chin, not far below his nose.

#2. One little known method of applying perfume is to saturate a piece of cotton with your chosen scent, place it under the shoulder strap of your slip. Body heat releases an aura about you.

#3. A glamorous method of using perfume is to spray it on the hem of your evening gown, then as you walk or dance, the fragrance is wafted into the air around you. This is the best way to do it.

#4. Another pointer is to apply perfume to the inside of your gloves, while your gloves are on, the warmth of your hands attract the perfume which will cling to the fingers.