
The 1948 fragrance Fracas by Robert Piguet is a scent that has been described as powerful, sexy, and unsettling. Created by perfumer Germaine Cellier, it is based on the scent of tuberose and is known for its bold, floral, and feminine notes. With a rich history and a dedicated following, Fracas has sparked curiosity about its appeal to men. While some men may find it appealing, others may have varying preferences. This paragraph introduces the topic of men's opinions on Fracas perfume, a scent with a unique and intriguing reputation.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Celebrity endorsements: Courtney Love, Madonna, and Martha Stewart are fans
- Its creator, Germaine Cellier, was an eccentric and one of the only female perfumers in the 1940s
- Fracas is a bold, feminine, floral fragrance with notes of tuberose, orange blossom, and jasmine
- It has been described as sexy, powerful, and classic
- The scent has been in production for over 75 years and has a rich history

Celebrity endorsements: Courtney Love, Madonna, and Martha Stewart are fans
The iconic Fracas perfume has been a favourite of many since its inception in 1948. Created by French perfumer Germaine Cellier for French fashion designer Robert Piguet, it is a bold and distinctive fragrance based on the scent of tuberose. Over the years, Fracas has garnered a dedicated following, including some notable celebrity fans. Here's a look at three famous women who are known to adore this iconic scent:
Courtney Love
Singer, songwriter, and actress Courtney Love is a well-known admirer of Fracas. In a review for the perfume, Love described its unique appeal: "No one can ignore you when you're wearing it, yet it's not annoying. It smells to me like a baby's head, a field of dreamy white meadow flowers, and a touch of sex." Love's endorsement of Fracas has undoubtedly contributed to its popularity and cult status in the fragrance world.
Madonna
Madonna, the legendary pop star, is another famous fan of Fracas. In fact, she loved the scent so much that she based her own fragrance, Truth or Dare, on it. While Truth or Dare has since been discontinued, it remains a testament to Madonna's appreciation for Fracas. The original Truth or Dare fragrance is often recommended as an alternative to Fracas, with some noting its sexy and powerful appeal.
Martha Stewart
Domestic goddess and lifestyle guru Martha Stewart is another celebrity who goes giddy for Fracas. Known for her impeccable taste, Stewart's endorsement of the perfume adds to its allure. When Stewart speaks highly of something, people take notice, and her love for Fracas has likely influenced many to give it a try.
These three powerful and influential women have helped elevate Fracas to a cult-like status in the fragrance world. Their endorsements speak to the timeless appeal and unique character of this bold and feminine scent.
Givenchy Perfume: How Much Does It Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$30.29 $39.99

Its creator, Germaine Cellier, was an eccentric and one of the only female perfumers in the 1940s
Fracas, a 1948 perfume by French fashion designer Robert Piguet, was created by perfumer Germaine Cellier. Cellier was an eccentric and one of the only female perfumers in the 1940s. She was a known eccentric, hanging out with Jean Cocteau and stealing models' underwear to "smell the best of their femininity". She was also rumoured to be a lesbian, always followed by her two female assistants, whom she called "mes poulets" ("my chicks"). She was a pioneering female perfumer, creating bold, beautiful fragrances that were inspired by her own whims and not by someone else's wishes. She did not know how to obey her superiors or follow other people's opinions and tastes. She left her job at Colgate-Palmolive to found her own perfumery laboratory, Exarom.
Cellier was a genius perfumer, the first female nose whose name became renowned, and all the great fashion houses wanted to collaborate with her. She was a true artist, believing that perfumers, like composers, were born and not made, and that chemistry was secondary to inspiration. Her talent was exceptional and she was highly controversial. She was also a rebel, often having to pretend to be a socialite, but appearing in photos with messy hair, barefoot on the beach, and with a crooked smile.
Cellier's creation of Fracas was a significant moment in perfumery. It was a time when women's fragrance design was a boys' club, and her very existence was a novelty. Cellier decided to create a scent based on the notoriously difficult and dirty tuberose. She added notes of orange blossom, jasmine, and iris root butter to cut the raunchiness of the tuberose. The result was a fragrance that became an immediate success, known as the scent of the 'New Look' dame: impeccably made-up, decadent, and a little dangerous.
Fracas has since become a landmark fragrance, spawning many imitators and remaining in production for over 75 years. It has been described as the queen of tuberose perfumes, with a hairspray note that is strong and distinctive. It is a bold and vivid fragrance, with sweet and buttery notes, and an ultra-feminine, sexy, and glamorous scent.
Bath and Body Works: Alcohol in Perfumes?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Fracas is a bold, feminine, floral fragrance with notes of tuberose, orange blossom, and jasmine
While it is challenging to ascertain what guys' general preference is for Fracas perfume, it is clear that this fragrance has been a long-time favourite for many women. Created by French perfumer Germaine Cellier for French fashion designer Robert Piguet in 1948, Fracas is a bold, feminine, floral fragrance with notes of tuberose, orange blossom, and jasmine.
Fracas is renowned for its distinctive tuberose scent, described as "the queen of tuberose perfumes". Tuberose is a pungent, small white flower, and Cellier's decision to use it as the central note in her fragrance was daring, as it was considered "notoriously difficult" to work with. Cellier paired the tuberose with a generous amount of orange blossom to temper its raunchiness, and added powdery iris and jasmine. The result is a lush, creamy fragrance that clings to the skin and warms with the wearer's unique body chemistry.
Over time, the scent becomes sweeter, with some describing it as having a bubblegum-like quality, although others disagree. The perfume has a commanding presence, with top notes that are very feminine and flirty, and a dry-down that is more matronly, like dusting powder. It is a bold fragrance that demands respect, and one wearer commented that it made her feel like a "grande dame".
Fracas has been described as "transcendent", with an astonishing "signature, persistence on skin, and diffusion". It has a dedicated fan base, including celebrity admirers such as Courtney Love, Madonna, and Martha Stewart. The perfume has been in production for over 75 years, and its longevity and cultural impact have earned it a place in the Fragrance Foundation Hall of Fame.
Mary Chess Perfume Bottles: Valuable Collectibles or Just Pretty Glass?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It has been described as sexy, powerful, and classic
The Fracas perfume by Robert Piguet, created in 1948, has been described as sexy, powerful, and classic. The scent is based on the notoriously difficult and dirty tuberose flower, a pungent small white flower. It has been called the queen of tuberose perfumes, with a strong hairspray note.
The perfume has a commanding presence, with top notes that are very feminine and flirty, and a dry-down that is matronly. One reviewer described it as an "alpha dog" scent, and another said it made them feel like a "grande dame". The scent is bold, vivid, emphatic, and energizing, with sweet and buttery notes. It is a classic fragrance that doesn't smell old, and has been described as "timeless".
The longer it wears, the sweeter it gets, with a tuberose scent that lasts until the end. Some people detect a bubblegum sweetness, while others describe it as piquant and green. It is a lush and creamy concoction that clings to the skin and warms with the wearer's unique chemistry.
The perfume has been called "powerful" and "iconic", with fans including Courtney Love, Madonna, and Martha Stewart. Love described the fragrance as "No one can ignore you when you're wearing it, yet it's not annoying. It smells to me like a baby's head, a field of dreamy white meadow flowers, and a touch of sex." Chandler Burr, reviewing for the New York Times, called it "transcendent", with "a signature, a persistence on skin, and a diffusion that are – all three – astonishing."
Overall, Fracas is a bold and powerful perfume with a strong presence and a unique, classic scent that has endured for over 75 years.
Sweet Pea Perfume: Where to Buy This Delightful Scent
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The scent has been in production for over 75 years and has a rich history
The scent of Fracas has a rich history that dates back to 1948 when it was created by French perfumer Germaine Cellier for French fashion designer Robert Piguet. It is based on the scent of tuberose, a pungent small white flower, and is known for its bold and vivid fragrance. The perfume was an immediate success, becoming synonymous with the ''New Look' dame: impeccably made-up, decadent, and a little dangerous.
The creation of Fracas was a significant event as it was formulated by a woman, Cellier, in a male-dominated industry. She was an eccentric and a known perfumer, often stealing models' underwear to "smell the best of their femininity". Cellier dedicated the perfume to actress Edwige Feuillère, who had caused a scandal by appearing naked in the 1935 film "Lucrece Borgia". This hint of scandal was intentional in both the perfume and its marketing.
Over the years, Fracas has faced challenges due to the changing nature of the perfume industry and the availability of certain ingredients. By the late 1980s, the original sleek black bottle had disappeared, and the scent was fading into obscurity. An ill-conceived new version released in the mid-1990s almost led to its demise. However, in 1998, a company purchased the license and revived the scent, tasking perfumer Pierre Negrin with recreating the original fragrance.
The perfume has been described as "transcendent" by perfume critic Chandler Burr, who gave it five stars. It has also been a favourite of many notable women, including Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Martha Stewart, and Courtney Love. Today, Fracas remains an iconic fragrance, known for its bold and sensual scent, and has been in production for over 75 years, with recent reformulations aiming to recapture the original essence.
Perfume at Work: Can Your Boss Ban Scents?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Fracas is a 1948 perfume created by French perfumer Germaine Cellier for French fashion designer Robert Piguet. It is based on the scent of tuberose, a pungent small white flower.
While it is impossible to say whether all or most men like Fracas, some sources suggest that the scent is appealing to both men and women. One source mentions that men asked her about the fragrance when she wore it, and another mentions that men followed her to "sniff" her.
You can buy Fracas perfume on the official Robert Piguet website. It is also available on other online retailers such as Fragrantica and Into The Gloss.











































