Heidi Norton
Robert Piguet's Fracas, a floral perfume for women, was first released in 1948 and continues to be sold today. Created by Germaine Cellier, an avant-garde perfumer, Fracas is known for its distinctive scent, combining notes of tuberose, jasmine, musk, and sandalwood. The perfume has garnered a dedicated following over the years, with some describing it as sophisticated and romantic, while others find it too strong and sweet. Despite mixed reviews, Fracas remains a sought-after fragrance, with a rich history and a unique place in the world of perfumery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first release | 1948 |
| Creator | Germaine Cellier |
| Dedicated to | Edwige Feuillère |
| Revival year | 1998 |
| Revival company | Not mentioned |
| Revival perfumer | Pierre Negrin |
| Revival review | Chandler Burr's review in the New York Times |
| Notes | Tuberose, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Iris, Gardenia, Freesia, Bergamot, Musk, Sandalwood |
| Volume | 3.4 Fl Oz |
| Place of manufacture | France |
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What You'll Learn
Fracas was revived in 1998
Fracas, a floral perfume for women, was first released in 1948 by Robert Piguet, a top Parisian haute-couture designer. The perfume was created by Germaine Cellier, a respected perfumer who was willing to go to great lengths to create unique and innovative scents.
Despite its initial success, Fracas faced challenges due to the use of rare and expensive ingredients, some of which became banned or discontinued over time. By the late 1980s, the original formula had disappeared, and an ill-conceived new version released in the mid-1990s was not well-received.
However, in 1998, Fracas was revived when a company purchased its license and tasked perfumer Pierre Negrin with recreating the original scent as closely as possible. This effort was met with success, as indicated by positive reviews and endorsements from notable figures such as Courtney Love and Chandler Burr, who wrote about it in the New York Times.
The revived Fracas Eau de Parfum by Robert Piguet features notes of bergamot, tuberose, musk, and sandalwood. It has been described as sophisticated, romantic, and seductive while also embodying refined simplicity. The scent has a strong presence and has been known to evoke a range of reactions from wearers and those around them.
Today, Fracas continues to be a sought-after perfume, with a rich history and a dedicated following. Its complex blend of florals and unique accords have ensured its longevity and impact in the world of perfumery.
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The scent was created by Germaine Cellier
Cellier was a chemist by training and often used cutting-edge synthetic bases, which later ceased to be produced. This made her scents, including Fracas, particularly vulnerable to reformulation over time. In the case of Fracas, this meant "reformulate or die". The perfume nearly disappeared in the late 1980s, but its license was purchased and revived in 1998, with perfumer Pierre Negrin tasked with recreating the original scent.
Cellier created Fracas in 1948 for Robert Piguet, a top Parisian haute-couture designer at the time. Fracas was released four years after Cellier's infamous Bandit, a legendary leather chypre. Fracas was a departure from traditional white florals, with a dark and luscious scent featuring notes of tuberose, jasmine, sandalwood, and musk.
Tuberose is notoriously difficult to master in perfumery, and Cellier's use of it in Fracas is considered a striking achievement. Roja Dove, a famous perfumer, described Fracas as "the big tuberose reference of perfumery", with tuberose being "the most carnal of the floral notes". Cellier's formulation, with its combination of raunchiness and powderiness, horrified and bewitched people in equal measure.
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It was first released in 1948
Fracas perfume was first released in 1948 by Robert Piguet, a top Parisian haute-couture designer of the time. The perfume was created by Germaine Cellier, an avant-garde perfumer. Fracas was a game-changer, a long-time trendsetter, and an immediate success. It was an iconic scent that left a haunting, intoxicating impression.
At the time, women's fragrance design was a male-dominated field, and Cellier's very existence as a female perfumer was a novelty. Cellier was a known eccentric and hung out with the likes of Jean Cocteau. She was not afraid to grab the underwear of runway models to better understand the core scent of a woman. She wanted to create a scent that would make its wearer feel like a bombshell and leave an unsettling effect on everyone that encountered it.
Cellier's creation of Fracas was particularly remarkable given the challenging nature of its key ingredient, tuberose. Roja Dove, a famous perfumer, described tuberose as "the most carnal of the floral notes". He further explained that tuberose "smells like very, very hot flesh after you've had sex—that's the bottom line." Cellier's mastery of this difficult ingredient and her unique approach to perfumery resulted in a scent that was both horrifying and bewitching.
The original Fracas perfume in the sleek black bottle nearly disappeared by the late 1980s. However, it was revived in 1998 when a company purchased its license and perfumer Pierre Negrin was tasked with recreating the original scent. The reworking was a major success, bringing back the iconic fragrance that had captivated so many.
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It's a floral perfume with notes of tuberose
Fracas, a floral perfume with notes of tuberose, is still made and available for purchase. It was first launched in 1948 by Robert Piguet and created by Germaine Cellier, a respected and avant-garde perfumer. Fracas is described as a game-changer and a trendsetter, with a bold and intoxicating scent that leaves a lasting impression.
The perfume has a unique and sophisticated blend of notes, including top notes of peach, orange blossom, hyacinth, green leaves, mandarin orange, and bergamot. The middle notes are where the tuberose comes into play, accompanied by jasmine, gardenia, and other floral accents. The base notes of musk, sandalwood, and amber add depth and complexity to the fragrance.
Tuberose, a key ingredient in Fracas, is known for its pungent and carnal scent, evoking a sense of sexiness and glamour. Germaine Cellier's mastery of this challenging ingredient resulted in a fragrance that has become a landmark in the world of perfumery, with many imitators attempting to recreate its magic.
Over the years, Fracas has garnered a dedicated following, including celebrities like Courtney Love, who described it as a scent that makes you stand out without being annoying. The perfume has received rave reviews from perfume critics, who have praised its transcendent quality and its ability to leave a signature olfactory trail.
Fracas by Robert Piguet continues to be a sought-after fragrance, known for its refined simplicity and its ability to make a woman feel like a bombshell. Its long-lasting impact and unique blend of notes, centered around tuberose, have ensured its place in the Fragrance Foundation Hall of Fame.
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It's described as a sweet fragrance
Fracas, a perfume by Robert Piguet, was first released in 1948. It was created by Germaine Cellier, a respected perfumer who was willing to go to great lengths to create unique and innovative scents. Cellier's use of then-cutting-edge synthetic bases, as well as notoriously difficult raw materials like tuberose, resulted in a fragrance that was both sophisticated and sweet.
While some customers describe Fracas as a "lovely, sweet, beautiful, flowery fragrance", others find it too strong and sweet, comparing it to a cheap bathroom air freshener. One customer describes it as "syrupy" and "sickly sweet", with fruity notes that overpower the white flower scents.
Despite mixed reviews, Fracas has left an impact on the world of perfumery. It is described as a game-changer and a "long-time trendsetter", with a complex blend of notes that include tuberose, jasmine, sandalwood, musk, gardenia, freesia, orange blossom, and powdery iris.
The perfume has also been described as "romantic and seductive", with a perfect balance of notes. Its sweetness is said to be identifiable and delicious, making it a beloved fragrance for many, including celebrities like Courtney Love, Madonna, and Martha Stewart.
Fracas has undergone changes since its debut, as many of the original notes used by Cellier are no longer legal. However, its legacy remains, and it continues to be a sought-after fragrance, with some customers expressing their love for its sweetness.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Fracas perfume is still made. It was originally released in 1948 by Robert Piguet and created by Germaine Cellier. The perfume was discontinued and then revived in 1998.
Fracas is a floral perfume with notes of tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, iris, gardenia, freesia, musk, sandalwood, and bergamot. It is described as a sweet, romantic, and seductive fragrance.
Fracas perfume can be purchased from retailers such as Amazon, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Robert Piguet's official website.
