Cleopatra used fragrance to seduce Mark Antony and women have been doing something similar, for millennia. For students, spraying on a classic scent was a luxury as most of us couldn’t afford a bottle of cologne or perfume. We worked part time, scrimped and saved to buy our favorite scent just to impress our dates. Nope, we are not talking about the deodorant you spray on to mask that sweaty and smelly PE t-shirt, but the ones you spray on to attract someone you really liked.
So what perfume/cologne did you wear during the 90s? Let’s look at some of the iconic scents that made us cool and hip back in the 90s.
Chanel No. 5 was the first perfume launched by French couturier Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. The chemical formula for the fragrance was compounded by Russian-French chemist and perfumer Ernest Beaux. The old dame is popular in the 1970s, 1990s, and even now. Created by Gabrielle Chanel to be the ultimate in femininity, N°5 has cast a spell on millions of women — and men — around the world. Inimitably luxurious and infinitely seductive, its legend lives, each year adding to its mystery, its depth, its desirability. It was released 5 May 1921, to selected clientele in Chanel rue Cambon boutique. You wanted it, but couldnt afford it then.
Drakkar Noir is a men’s fragrance by Guy Laroche created by perfumer Pierre Wargnye. The fragrance was introduced in 1982 and is manufactured under license by the L’Oréal Group. The manly smell of our time, yes for those hot blooded hunks, this was oh so manly.
ck one was Calvin Klein’s first unisex fragrance. ck one was a global phenomenon after its launch in 1994. It was a unique, but now much copied, citrus floral and herbaceous scent. ck one begins with light and refreshing tones of bergamot, lemon and mandarin. Everyone was wearing it, everyone. *ugh*
Cool Water is a perfume introduced in 1988 by Davidoff, now a part of Coty Prestige. A calm aquatic note is livened by mint and green nuances, spiced with coriander. The unmistakably floral neroli essence and geranium based middle note makes it typically contemporary and masculine. This scent was made for the hipster of our time. Chic, fresh and classic.
Introduced in the year 1993, by the design house of Elizabeth Arden. Sunflowers is a refined, aquatic fragrance with a blend of fruity, fresh florals, rose, lemon, honeysuckle, and cedar. Fess up! I’m sure you girls found this on your mom’s dresser and tried it before you went on your date.
Created in 1993, its name was JPGaultier Eau de Parfum and it was produced as eau de parfum. Now, it is called Classique and comes both as eau de perfume and eau de toilette. In the top notes delicate rose scent is spiced by fresh anis. Middle notes combine sweetness of orange blossom and exciting ginger, a powerful aphrodisiac. Vanilla and sensual amber gently embrace in the base. A must have for the chao ah lians of our time.
Made in Italy, both Hot and Cold were introduced in 1997, described as HOT is for women and COLD is for Men. Most of us bought it just because we thought the bottle is cool, but the scent? Bleh, forgettable.
Hugo by Hugo Boss was launched in 1995. The nose behind this fragrance is Bob Aliano. Top notes are lavender, green apple, mint, grapefruit and basil; middle notes are carnation, sage, geranium and jasmine; base notes are patchouli, fir and cedar. You can smell this on every bus or mrt rides.
Jean-Louis Sieuzac was lead perfumer for Dune. In 1993, Dune won a FiFi for Women’s Fragrance of the Year in Limited Distribution. The Dior website lists Dune’s notes as mandarin, peony, and vanilla. Michael Edwards’s Perfume Legends adds notes of broom, wallflower, bergamot, lily, jasmine, rose, amber, lichen, musk, sandalwood, and vanilla. Classic scent for the office ladies.
L’eau D’issey (issey miyake) perfume by Issey Miyake 3.3 oz eau de toilette spray for women. Launched by the design house of Issey Miyake in 1992, L\’eau D\’issey is classified as a sharp, aquatic fragrance. This feminine scent possesses a blend of fresh water florals including lily. along with a touch of carnation. Not a mainstream choice, but the cool girls will wear this scent.
Opium by Yves Saint Laurent is a Oriental Spicy fragrance for women. Opium was launched in 1977. Opium was created by Jean Amic and Jean-Louis Sieuzac. Deep and smoky, ancient and exotic. It immediately evokes imagery of ancient Egypt, Myrrh and Frankincense. People called it a scent for the sophisticated ladies, but we thought it was more for the aunties.
Now that’s trip down memory lane. Did we miss out any of your favorite scent?