Halston, the fashion house founded by Roy Halston Frowick, has become synonymous with 1970s glamour and sophistication. The brand's eponymous perfume, launched in 1975, is an integral part of the designer's legacy. While the fragrance is still available today, it has been reformulated and differs drastically from the original. The original scent was described as tangy, feral, and almost too naughty to wear to work, with notes of green leaves, mint, melon, bergamot, peach, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, and musk. The perfume was a wild success, racking up $85 million in sales within two years and becoming the second top-selling perfume in history after Chanel No. 5. Today, you can find a reformulated version of Halston's perfume in drugstores, but it's a far cry from the iconic original.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Is Halston cologne still made? | Yes, Halston cologne is still made and available for purchase. |
Original manufacturer | The fashion house of Halston, founded in the 1970s by Roy Halston Frowick |
Current manufacturer | Revlon |
Year of first launch | 1975 |
Original price | The equivalent of about $300 an ounce in the 1970s |
Current price | $30 |
Original scent | Chypre and floral notes, with top notes of green leaves, mint, melon, bergamot and peach, floral middle notes including jasmine and ylang-ylang, and woody base notes like sandalwood and musk |
Current scent | Unknown, but "nothing like the original" and "only echoes of Halston's original 1975 fragrance" |
Original bottle design | Glass teardrop flacon designed by Elsa Peretti |
Current bottle design | Plastic-capped bottle |
What You'll Learn
Halston cologne is still available to buy
The original fragrance was a huge success, with sales of $85 million in the first two years. It was the second top-selling perfume in history after Chanel No. 5. However, the version available today is quite different. The current formulation is housed in a plastic-capped bottle and retails for around $20 to $30.
While the original scent is no longer available, you can still purchase the reformulated Halston cologne from various retailers, including Amazon and Perfumania.
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The current version is different from the original
The Halston cologne is still made and available for purchase, but the current version is different from the original.
The original Halston cologne was launched in 1975 and was a huge success, with sales of $85 million in its first two years. The fragrance was created by legendary French nose Bernard Chant, who also created perfumes for Ralph Lauren and Estée Lauder. The original scent was a floral chypre, with notes of oakmoss (which is prohibited in modern fragrances), patchouli, mint, melon, marigolds, leather, cigarette smoke, and warm skin. It was described as seductive, smooth, and unique, with both freshness and sensuality.
The current version of Halston cologne, which can be purchased for around $20-30, is a reformulated version that differs drastically from the original. It comes in a plastic-capped bottle, as opposed to the iconic glass teardrop-shaped bottle designed by Elsa Peretti for the original. The new version is said to be only a faint echo of the original scent, lacking its complexity and uniqueness.
The changes to the fragrance over time are likely due to changes in perfumery regulations, such as the prohibition of oakmoss, as well as the natural evolution of fragrance trends and consumer preferences. While the current version may bear the same name, it is a significantly different product from what made the Halston cologne famous in the 1970s.
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The original was launched in 1975
The original Halston cologne was launched in 1975, and its creation was a dramatic process, as depicted in the Netflix series about the designer. The perfume was self-titled, and its popularity was so immense that retailers struggled to keep it in stock.
The design of the bottle was inspired by a pendant that Elsa Peretti found at a market, which she fashioned into a necklace. Halston then asked Peretti to create a glass bottle for his debut perfume in the shape of a teardrop pendant. The bottle was revolutionary, featuring no branding and instead a ribbon bearing the designer's name.
The fragrance was a wild success, and within two years, it had made $85 million in sales, becoming the second top-selling perfume in history after Chanel No. 5. The perfume was described as "tangy, feral, and almost too naughty to wear to work". It had top notes of green leaves, mint, melon, bergamot, and peach, floral middle notes including jasmine and ylang-ylang, and woody base notes like sandalwood and musk.
The original Halston was a floral chypre, meaning its notes were arranged around a backbone of oakmoss (which is prohibited in modern fragrances) and patchouli. It was green and minty at first whiff, then bright and fruity, and finally, it smelled of leather, cigarette smoke, and warm skin. It was seductive, smooth, and unique, with a masculine twist.
Today, the version of the fragrance on the market differs drastically from the original. The reformulated perfume can be purchased for $30, but it is now in a plastic-capped bottle, and the scent is only an echo of the original.
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The scent was described as tangy, feral, and almost too naughty to wear to work
The scent of the original Halston perfume was described as "tangy, feral, and almost too naughty to wear to work". The perfume was created by legendary French nose Bernard Chant, who also created fragrances for Ralph Lauren and Estée Lauder.
The top notes of the perfume included green leaves, mint, melon, bergamot, and peach. The floral middle notes included jasmine and ylang-ylang. The woody base notes included sandalwood and musk.
The perfume was launched in 1975 and was an instant success, with retailers struggling to keep the product in stock. Within the first two years, it racked up $85 million in sales and became the second top-selling perfume in history after Chanel No. 5.
The perfume was a significant part of the late designer's legacy, and its unique scent and iconic bottle have left an enduring impression in the world of fragrances. The bottle, designed by Elsa Peretti, was inspired by a bud-vase pendant she found at a flea market. Halston was so enamoured with the design that he fought to produce it, even offering to pay $50,000 of his own money.
The original perfume is no longer available, and the current reformulated version is said to be drastically different, with a plastic-capped bottle and a scent that is only a faint echo of the original.
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The perfume was an extension of the Halston brand
The idea for the perfume came from Roy Halston Frowick, who believed that fragrance was an integral part of one's personal style. He wanted to capture the essence of his iconic designs in a bottle and offer a complete sensory experience to his customers. Working with perfumers such as Bernard Chant, Halston created a floral chypre fragrance with notes of oakmoss, patchouli, mint, melon, marigolds, leather, and cigarette smoke. The result was a seductive and smooth scent with a unique masculine twist.
The bottle design was just as important as the fragrance itself. Halston collaborated with designer Elsa Peretti, who created the now-iconic glass teardrop flacon. The bottle was revolutionary, with no branding except for a ribbon bearing the designer's name. The simple and elegant design captured the spirit of the Halston brand and became an instant classic.
The launch of the perfume was a major event, with lavish parties in Manhattan and San Francisco. The fanfare, designer's clout, and collectible bottle all contributed to the perfume's enthusiastic reception. Within two years, it had become one of America's best-selling perfumes, with $85 million in sales. The success of the perfume solidified the Halston brand as a leader in both fashion and fragrances.
Today, the Halston perfume has been reformulated and can be found in drugstores for around $30. While the current version may not capture the original scent, the legacy of the perfume lives on as an iconic symbol of the Halston brand.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Halston cologne is still made and available for purchase.
The price of Halston cologne varies depending on the retailer and the specific product, but it can be found for around $20 to $25.
Halston cologne can be purchased from various online retailers, including Amazon and Perfumania.