Katrina Rosales
Yves Saint Laurent perfumes have gone through several packaging changes over the years, which can help determine the age of a fragrance. From 1989 onwards, YSL perfume boxes should feature a barcode, with bottles labelled Yves Saint Laurent PARFUMS CORP produced between 1986 and 1992. From 1993 to 1999, the words Dist. Sanofi Beaute were used, followed by the address NEUILLY from 2000 onwards. From 2002 to 2007, the packaging featured Yves Saint Laurent Parfums, and from 2008, the label changed to Yves Saint Laurent - YSL Beauté. Notably, vintage fragrances often lack batch codes, and older boxes may be used for newer perfumes, making dating tricky.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vintage YSL perfumes with no barcodes | 1986-1988 |
| Vintage YSL perfumes with barcodes | 1989 onwards |
| Transitional packaging | "'New' perfumes in 'old' boxes" |
| "Parfums Corp." on the label | 1986-1992/1993 |
| "Parfums Corp." and "Dist. New York, NY" on the label | 1986-1992/1993 |
| "Dist. Sanofi Beaute" on the label | 1993-1999 |
| Address "NEUILLY" on the label | 2000-present |
| "Yves Saint Laurent Parfums" on the label | 2002-2007 |
| "B.R.I." on the box | 2008-2010 |
| "Yves Saint Laurent - YSL Beauté." on the label | 2011-present |
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What You'll Learn
From 1986-1988, vintage YSL perfumes did not have barcodes
From 1986 to 1988, vintage YSL perfumes did not feature barcodes on their packaging. During this period, the labelling on the boxes of Yves Saint Laurent perfumes included the words "Yves Saint Laurent Parfums Corp." and "Dist. New York, NY".
The absence of barcodes on these vintage perfumes can be attributed to the fact that, during that time, the use of barcodes was not yet standardised or widely adopted in the perfumery industry. It was only in 1988 that the EAN barcode (combining bars and numbers) started to be commonly used in perfumery, gradually becoming the industry standard.
However, it is worth noting that the absence of barcodes on vintage YSL perfumes from this era does not necessarily indicate their authenticity. It is not uncommon to find transitional packaging, where newer perfumes are packaged in older boxes. For example, it is possible to find perfumes from the 1990s packaged in boxes from the 1980s, which may not feature barcodes.
Additionally, there may be variations in the packaging and labelling of YSL perfumes from this vintage period. Some boxes from the late 1980s might have stickers referencing New York, even though the barcode system was not yet in widespread use.
Therefore, when assessing vintage YSL perfumes from 1986 to 1988, the absence of barcodes is expected, but it is not the sole determining factor of their authenticity. Other factors, such as the specific labelling, batch codes, and packaging details, should also be considered when evaluating these vintage fragrances.
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From 1989 onwards, YSL perfume boxes had barcodes
The history of the House of Yves Saint Laurent is reflected in its packaging, labels, and boxes. From 1986 to 1992 or 1993, YSL perfume boxes were labelled with "Yves Saint Laurent Parfums Corp." and "Dist. New York, NY". During this time, the company underwent what was known as the "American Years" or the "Parfums Corp." Era.
From 1988 to 1990, YSL perfume boxes adopted the EAN barcode (bars and numbers). This was an almost universal change in the perfumery industry. So, from 1989 onwards, YSL perfume boxes had barcodes. However, if a "Parfums Corp." labelled box is missing a barcode, it was likely produced between 1986 and 1988.
In 1992, the Greendot was adopted in many European countries, and YSL packaging reflected this change. Boxes from the early 1990s may feature both barcodes and Greendots. From 1993 to 1999, YSL perfume boxes were labelled with "Dist. Sanofi Beaute".
It is worth noting that YSL packaging and labelling can be somewhat erratic, with new perfumes sometimes packaged in old boxes. For example, you may find boxes from the 1980s used for bottles from the 1990s. Therefore, when identifying YSL perfumes, it is important to consider the historical period of production rather than an exact date.
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From 1993 onwards, YSL perfumes featured the address NEUILLY
The history of the YSL brand is divided into five distinct periods, each with its own unique characteristics in terms of packaging, labelling, and historical context. The third of these periods, known as the "French Years" or the "Sanofi Era", lasted from 1993 to 1999. During this time, the company was owned by the French firm Sanofi Beaute, which resulted in the words "Dist. Sanofi Beaute" appearing on the packaging of YSL perfumes from 1993 to 1999.
From the year 2000 onwards, the address "NEUILLY" began to appear on both the boxes and labels of YSL perfumes. This period also saw the continued use of transitional packaging, where "new" perfumes were sold in "old" boxes, resulting in the presence of \"Parfums Corp.\" labelled bottles even after 1993.
The inclusion of the address "NEUILLY" on YSL perfume packaging from 2000 onwards coincides with the brand's transition into new ownership and labelling changes. From 2002 to 2007, the labels featured the words "Yves Saint Laurent Parfums", reflecting the company's shift in focus. Additionally, during this time, the packaging of all perfumes started to include a long list of ingredients, providing detailed information to consumers.
It is worth noting that YSL perfumes have gone through various iterations of packaging and labelling, with the brand itself acknowledging the erratic nature of its packaging and labelling during transition periods. This inconsistency can make it challenging to pinpoint the exact production date of a particular fragrance. However, understanding the broader historical context and significant changes in ownership can help identify the approximate period of production.
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From 2008, the `Parfums` label disappeared
The history of the Yves Saint Laurent brand and its perfumes is a long and fascinating one. The brand has had several different owners and has undergone numerous transitions over the years, which can make it challenging to identify the exact production date of a particular fragrance.
In terms of the brand's history, there are five notable historical periods. The first, known as "The Beginning" or the "Charles of the Ritz Era," lasted from 1963 to 1986. This was followed by "The American Years" or the "Parfums Corp. Era" from 1986 to 1992. From 1993 to 1999, the brand entered the "French Years" or the "SANOFI Era." During this time, the words "Dist. Sanofi Beaute" appeared on the packaging. The fourth period, from 2000 onwards, is characterised by the inclusion of the address "NEUILLY" on both the box and labels. The fifth and final period began in 2008 when the "Parfums" label disappeared, and the words "Yves Saint Laurent" and "NEUILLY" remained.
It is worth noting that there may be discrepancies in the packaging, as older boxes were sometimes used for newer perfumes. This erratic packaging can make it challenging to determine the exact production date of a fragrance. Additionally, there were transitions in the branding and labelling of the perfumes, which can further complicate the dating process.
Now, to address the specific timeframe you are interested in: from 2008 onwards, the division of YSL perfumes and cosmetics came under the French multinational corporation L'Oreal. This marked the disappearance of the word "Parfums" from the label. The words "Yves Saint Laurent" and the address "NEUILLY" were retained. This change signifies a shift from the vintage era to modern times in the world of Yves Saint Laurent perfumes.
It is worth noting that even after 2008, there may be variations in the packaging and labelling of Yves Saint Laurent perfumes. The brand has continued to evolve, and new fragrances have been introduced, such as La Nuit de L'Homme in 2009. However, the absence of the "Parfums" label from 2008 onwards is a notable shift in the branding and can be used as a key indicator when identifying the production date of vintage Yves Saint Laurent perfumes.
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From 2011, the brand name changed to Yves Saint Laurent - YSL Beauté
Yves Saint Laurent, also known as YSL, is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1961 by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé. The brand's cosmetics line, YSL Beauty, is owned by L'Oréal. In 2008, the division of YSL perfumes and cosmetics was acquired by L'Oreal. The word "Parfums" on the label was dropped, and the brand name changed to "Yves Saint Laurent" with the address "NEUILLY".
In 2011, the brand name was updated again, this time to "Yves Saint Laurent - YSL Beauté". This change coincided with the growing influence of the newly appointed creative director, Hedi Slimane. Slimane had previously worked as a photographer and designer for YSL until 2000 before leaving for Dior. He returned to YSL in 2011, taking over from Stefano Pilati as creative director.
The change in branding from "Yves Saint Laurent" to "Yves Saint Laurent - YSL Beauté" in 2011 reflected the evolving nature of the fashion house and its desire to stay relevant and adaptable in the highly competitive fashion industry. This evolution in branding also served as a strategic move to differentiate the brand and create a more modern and streamlined image.
It is worth noting that YSL has a history of rebranding and updates to its product packaging. For example, from 1986 to 1992-1993, the brand used the label "Yves Saint Laurent Parfums Corp." with a New York address. During this period, the adoption of barcodes on perfume boxes became nearly universal, with YSL likely following this industry-wide trend. From 1993 to 1999, the wording changed to "Dist. Sanofi Beaute," and from 2000 onwards, the address "NEUILLY" appeared consistently. These changes in packaging and labelling can sometimes be erratic, and it is not uncommon to find newer perfumes packaged in older boxes.
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Frequently asked questions
No, vintage Yves Saint Laurent perfumes from 1986 to 1988 will not have barcodes. Barcodes were almost universally adopted in perfumery from 1988 to 1990.
If your perfume has a label that says "Yves Saint Laurent Parfums Corp." and "Dist. New York, NY", it was produced between 1986 and 1992.
You can check the batch code to determine the production date and shelf life. Vintage fragrances often do not have batch codes at all. Sometimes, old boxes were used for new perfumes, so you might find packaging from the 1980s with bottles from the 1990s.
