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.

Fath's Love by Jacques Fath c1961

Jacques Fath's choice of the name Fath's Love for his 1961 fragrance carries a blend of personal and emotional significance. The name, which directly associates the fragrance with its creator, Jacques Fath, conveys a sense of personal affection and intimate connection. The term "Fath's Love" combines Fath’s surname with the universal emotion of love, suggesting a fragrance that embodies the designer's heartfelt expression and devotion to his craft. In essence, the name positions the perfume as a deeply personal and cherished creation, resonating with feelings of romance and admiration.

The phrase "Fath's Love" evokes imagery of a timeless, romantic sentiment, suggesting a fragrance that is both passionate and sophisticated. It conjures visions of classic love letters, elegant gestures, and the enduring allure of a well-crafted romance. This emotional resonance is further reflected in the perfume's composition, which is rich and multifaceted, designed to captivate and enchant. The name implies a scent that is not only luxurious but also deeply evocative, intended to evoke feelings of affection and admiration in those who encounter it.

In terms of its scent profile, Fath's Love can be interpreted as a fragrant embodiment of passion and sophistication. As a rich floral chypre with dominant spice and pepper notes, it suggests a complex and vibrant character, designed to make a bold statement. The extensive blend of over 70 individual ingredients contributes to a fragrance that is both opulent and multifaceted, with a depth that reflects the intensity and warmth implied by the name.

Women of the early 1960s, a period characterized by a shift toward more dramatic and complex fragrances, would have found Fath's Love both intriguing and fitting. The 1960s saw a move away from the more restrained scents of the 1950s toward richer, more assertive compositions. Fath's Love, with its chypre base spiked with spices and pepper, aligns with this trend, offering a sophisticated alternative to the lighter floral fragrances that were prevalent at the time. Its rich, spicy character would have appealed to those seeking a fragrance that made a strong and memorable impression, reflecting the era’s growing appetite for bold and expressive scents.

Overall, Fath's Love stands out as a unique and evocative creation within the 1960s perfume landscape. Its blend of floral and chypre elements, combined with its dominant spice notes, offers a distinctive and personal touch that sets it apart from other contemporary fragrances.

Chasuble by Jacques Fath c1945

Jacques Fath’s choice of the name "Chasuble" for his 1945 fragrance carries a profound and evocative significance. Derived from the Latin word "casula," meaning "little house" or "cape," the term "Chasuble" refers to a distinctive, flowing garment worn by clergy during religious services. In French, it denotes a vestment that envelops the wearer in an aura of solemnity and reverence. By selecting this name, Fath invokes imagery of timeless elegance and spiritual grace, suggesting that the perfume, like the garment, offers a protective and enveloping experience.

The name "Chasuble" evokes a sense of grandeur and mystique, conjuring images of elaborate ecclesiastical robes and the serene, contemplative atmosphere of sacred spaces. The association with such a garment might lead one to interpret the fragrance as possessing a profound depth and a sense of spiritual luxury. The scent itself, with its classification as a floral woody oriental, aligns with this imagery. It is described as heady and exotic, characterized by a rich, heavy blend dominated by incense musk and amber. This composition suggests a fragrance that envelops the wearer in an aura of opulence and mystery, much like the chasuble wraps the clergy in its sumptuous fabric.

Iris Gris by Jacques Fath c1947

Jacques Fath’s fragrance Iris Gris, launched in 1947, is a quintessential example of post-war olfactory elegance. The name Iris Gris translates from French as "Gray Iris," a term that subtly combines the delicate beauty of the iris flower with an evocative, subdued color. This choice of name suggests a refined, understated sophistication, distinguishing the perfume from more overtly named contemporaries.

In the context of the late 1940s, the name Iris Gris would have conjured images of a serene and somewhat enigmatic floral landscape. The iris, a flower associated with both the classic elegance of its purple and the more modern interpretation of gray, symbolizes purity and mystery. The use of "gris" (gray) in the name adds a layer of complexity and modernity, reflecting the post-war yearning for sophistication and a move away from the exuberant excesses of earlier decades.

Iris Gris was created by the renowned perfumer Vincent Roubert and features a floral fruity composition enriched with powdery and woodsy notes. The perfume's sharp, tangy elements lend it a cool and refreshing quality, which would have resonated with women of the time who were emerging from the shadow of wartime austerity into a period of renewed glamour and style.

The late 1940s marked a transitional period in fragrance, where there was a shift from the heavy, opulent perfumes of the 1930s to lighter, more nuanced scents. Iris Gris fits within this trend, offering a fresh and sophisticated take on floral fragrances. Unlike the more dominant chypres and aldehydic florals of the era, Iris Gris stands out with its unique blend of powdery and woodsy undertones, presenting a modern twist that would have appealed to women seeking both elegance and innovation in their fragrance choices.

Overall, Iris Gris encapsulates a moment in time when the fragrance industry was exploring new expressions of femininity and style, blending classic floral elements with a refreshing and contemporary edge.