Fleur de Fleurs (1980)

Fleur de Fleurs by Nina Ricci: launched in 1980, created by Betty Busse of Creations Aromatiques. The fragrance was marketed as "Eau de Fleurs" in Europe. In 1981, Jean-Louis Rici explained "Americans don't like the French word eau (water in English). They like everything strong, highly concentrated, sickening sweet. So we changed the name. The French tend to like the opposite."

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as an aldehydic white floral fragrance for women. A delicately refined distillation of countless floral essences: hyacinth, jasmine, white flowers, may rose, ylang ylang melded with iris, soft woody undertones and fruity amber notes. It begins with a fresh flowery top, followed by a delicate floral heart, layered over a floral base.

•  Top notes: flower calyx note, leafy green note, hyacinth, aldehydes, galbanum, bergamot and lemon
• Middle notes: iris, May rose, cyclamen, rosemary, magnolia, orris, lilac, Grasse jasmine, hyacinth, Cormoran ylang-ylang and lily-of-the-valley
• Base notes: ambergris, vetiver, sandalwood, musk and civet

 "In Fleur de Fleurs, there are approximately 4,000 components involved, with 50 different flowers. We've been working on the formula for the past five years. One day my father smelled a flower in a garden in Italy - that was it. He insisted it be copied and Fleur de Fleurs was created," said Jean-Louis Ricci in 1982.

The fragrance was issued in a one-strength, Parfum de Toilette. this strength, not to be confused with Eau de Toilette, is a concentration only slightly below Parfum's intensity, it is comparable to today's modern Eau de Parfums. Parfum de Toilette combines the lasting performance of parfum with a light, lingering natural scent. 

Bottles:

The bottle was designed by sculptor Serge Mansau in 1982. The bottles were produced in France by Pochet et du Courval. While the spray versions of the scent were moderately priced when introduced, a signed, numbered Lalique bottle containing the parfum retailed for about $350.

In 1984/1985, Fleur de Fleurs was available in the following formats:

• Presentations: Parfum de Toilette in original crystal bottle, signed Lalique (400ml); "Presentation" bottles signed Lalique (100ml, 200ml); Luxury gold-plated metal spray, refillable (100ml); "Decorative" spray, refillable (50ml)
• Related Products: Eau de Toilette "Eau de Fleurs" in engraved gold bottles (100ml, 200ml, 400ml); Eau de Fleurs large atomizer (120ml); Eau de Fleurs natural spray, refillable (50ml)
• Ancillary Products: Perfumed soaps (100g); Perfumed body cream, luxury size (150ml); Perfumed body cream, travel size, tube (75ml); Perfumed lotion-cream (200ml); Perfumed foaming bath, flexible bottle (200ml); Perfumed talcum powder, luxury size, refillable (200g); Perfumed talcum powder, travel size, flexible bottle (150g); Cream soap (200ml)

Fate of the Fragrance:

Despite the high quality of the Nina Ricci perfumes, four fragrances were unsuccessful in the American market (Coeur Joie, Capricci, Farouche and Fleurs de Fleurs), yet, they are successful in Europe. Why? Because most American women prefer stronger fragrances rather than the light, flowery scents enjoyed by European women. Furthermore, European women believe femininity is enhanced by a perfume, and they place more importance on the decorative crystal bottles and packaging than American women do. “ The French image of perfume is very romantic, feminine and sophisticated,” says Lina Vitali, vice president of Parfums Nina Ricci, USA in 1989. “The American perfume’s image is more aggressive, sexual and overpowering.”