Houbigant Quelques Fleures L'Original Eau de Parfum, for Women, 100ml

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This style of laundry/fabric softener perfume smells very modern - it's really only the onslaught of powder that keeps this from smelling like a current release. As such, I'm conflicted. Is this a thumbs up for being a classic masterpiece, or a thumbs down for smelling like a Febreeze candle? Houbigant Quelques Fleurs (1912) is described as a landmark in perfumery, the first aldehydic multifloral perfume that created a category within the nascent chypre genre followed by other icons like Chanel No. 5 (1921), Lanvin Arpège (1927), Joy Jean Patou (1930) and many more. Quelques Fleurs, now called "L'Original" to separate it from its modern flankers, is still quite a timeless perfume as well, although I admit it does not have the same universal appeal as the pillars of the category it inspired. The main reason for this is perfumer Robert Bienaimé, who had taken over for Paul Parquet at the time, was intent to focus the scent more on the blending of flowers themselves rather than the whole of the composition like the later perfumes it inspired, meaning the aldehydes are purely a means to convey, and the base merely a method of establishing permanence on skin. Quelques Fleurs is about the flowers, and only about the flowers. In fact, Houbigant claims 15,000 different flower essences and 25 different other materials create the accord, which is an absurd set of flowers if actually true (probably not), so they want you to know before even smelling that this meant to be floral ambrosia for the nose. Considering how Houbigant was still very much a luxury/prestige house like Guerlain in the early 20th century, Quelques Fleurs didn't see the widespread use that the debut Chanel perfume had, so part of the enjoyment of wearing it in modern times will likely be the "missing link" experience of smelling what came after simple colognes, lavenders, rose waters, or heliotrope-centic early perfumes like Guerlain Après L'Ondée (1906) and what we now understand to be aldehydic floral chypres. Disclaimer: There is no affiliation to any perfume brand or manufacturer, this list is based on opinion only* Ethereal and courtly, its mosaic fragrance depicts plush, ambrosial, delicate floral breath as it’s mingled in nature. The enchanting, radiant essence bombards the olfactory senses with soft, voluptuous flowers arranged...

The enchanting, radiant essence bombards the olfactory senses with soft, voluptuous flowers arranged in immaculately-nuanced, concordant tonalities. Sensual and charming, its heart speaks of pure emotion, underpinned by Jasmine, Tuberose, Lily of the Valley, Violet, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Carnation, Broom Flower, Orange Blossom and Clove. Its vivacious, alluring head of Bergamot, Galbanum, Tarragon, Lemon dries-down to a cultivated base of Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Civet, Cedarwood, Musk, Orris, and Tonka Bean. Ethereal and courtly, its mosaic fragrance depicts plush, ambrosial, delicate floral breath as it’s mingled in nature. The enchanting, radiant essence bombards the olfactory senses with soft, voluptuous flowers arranged in immaculately-nuanced, concordant tonalities. Sensual and charming, its heart speaks of pure emotion, underpinned by Jasmine, Tuberose, Lily of the Valley, Violet, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Carnation, Broom Flower, Orange Blossom and Clove. Its vivacious, alluring head of Bergamot, Galbanum, Tarragon, Lemon dries-down to a cultivated base of Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Civet, Cedarwood, Musk, Orris, and Tonka Bean.Of course, as soon as I learned about Quelque Fleurs, I began searching for a older, vintage bottle, one that could somehow connect me to the mythic qualities of Quelque Fleurs. And by communing with my 1950’s bottle of Quelque Fleurs EDT, I believe I have connected to this perfume’s history and beauty, although I know my vintage EDT probably doesn’t smell exactly like Bienaimé’s 1912 composition. Does Quelque Fleurs L’Original also sustain the myth? I tested the L’Original EDP some time ago and found it to be a pleasant, but unexciting floral aldehyde. Houbigant’s Quelque Fleurs, which first appeared in 1912, is certainly a perfume of mythic proportions. Jean-François Houbigant established his shop for perfumes, gloves, fans, and other elegant sundries in the Paris of 1775. By 1807, Houbigant was supplying Empress Josephine with a distinctive perfume, one that presumably complemented the intoxicating personal scent that led Napoleon to write: “I’ll be home in three days. Don’t wash.” (A myth, apparently, since no historian has produced this letter.) Appointments to the royal courts of France, England, and Russia followed. As the twentieth century dawned, Paul Parquet (1856–1916), a co-owner of the Houbigant company, led the way to the future of modern perfumery by synthesizing and using an artificial material, coumarin, in a perfume composition for the first time, in Fougere Royale (1882). By 1912, another Houbigant chemist-perfumer, Robert Bienaimé, developed Quelque Fleurs, celebrated as the first mixed floral perfume. Quelque Fleurs was a decisive break with the naturalism of the soliflores common at the time. To ladies asking for a rose or a violet perfume, Houbigant offered an unabashed perfume construct, “Some Flowers,” or to restate this in our current parlance, “Flowers. Whatever.” The perfume was an immediate sensation, and Quelque Fleurs continued to be sold in this form up until the 1970”s. This fragrance undeniable female and not just any female but a boldly happy woman,be it in love or in love with her life where she radiates happiness like the sun that her energy warms the heart and makes things grow in her loving aura. this perfume has a bit of everything to be beautiful it's romantic, serene,joyous,sensuous.the scent of elegant woman with classic style who don't wish to smell like fruit and sugar. this is one of the loveliest and timeless feminine fragrance. Quelques Fleurs l'Original has no age.it is timeless. elegant,and feminine and ready to meet the big world out there. vintage is perfection,current is still very beautiful. the vintage is more aldehyde and has a strong musk in the base.the current emphasizes the florals a bit more and isn't as sharp and musky in the base. From a current EDP sample: Starts off with a shot of hairspray aldehydes and indistinct fruit over white florals and a ton of powdery soap. Given a few minutes, a complicated mix of soapy musks take over and the whole thing smells like laundry detergent, specifically Tide powdered soap, the original scent in the orange box. It's very clever - somehow it clearly smells dry and powdered, but simultaneously warm and moist like a laundry room.

The enchanting, radiant essence bombards the olfactory senses with soft, voluptuous flowers arranged in immaculately-nuanced, concordant tonalities. Sensual and charming, its heart speaks of pure emotion, underpinned by Jasmine, Tuberose,... The answer may lie in the vintage version. Thanks to a generous BNer, I've also tried the vintage parfum, which is still extremely soapy powder, but without the laundry association (it's probably nitro musks - ouch! My liver!) and with more of a spotlight on the retro aldehydic fruits at the top.