Monday, September 9, 2013

Requete by Worth c1944

Requete by Worth was first launched in France in 1944, then came to the USA by 1945. Created by Maurice Blanchet. The name literally means "request" in French. In the 1940s, Requete was suggested to be worn by a young woman, as a daytime perfume.






Requete was available as:
  • Parfum
  • Toilet Water
  • Cologne




Fragrance Composition:


So what does it smell like? It is classified as a light green floral bouquet fragrance for women suggesting a garden warming to the early sun. Requete finally sensualizes the rose, jasmine and all the bouquet of a June garden mingled with a musky base.
  • Top notes: hyacinth, red berries, cyclamen, peach, pineapple, citrus
  • Middle notes: rose, narcissus, angelica, jasmine, osmanthus, peony, and May rose
  • Base notes: Mysore sandalwood, violet, Virginia cedar, musk, oakmoss


La Femme Chic, 1945:
"Arpege by Lanvin is difficult to describe: it smells of flowers, fruits, fur and leaves at the same time. It’s a real bouquet of fresh and warm notes; it has been defined as 'the living perfume that beautifies'; charming and fair definition, but which does not only suit him, because it would also apply very well to Requête for example, so fresh, so young, eighth but not last chapter of the true 'roman de la rose' written by Worth with its perfumes; Dans la Nuit, Vers le Jour, Sans Adieu, Je Reviens, Vers Toi, Projets, Imprudence...This sweet Request is sure to be very well received."


L'Amour de l'art, 1950:
"Requête by Worth: Exalted by the soft warmth of the flesh, the essences that make up this perfume take on their full value, like a musical phrase is also enriched by an accompaniment that is both powerful and subtle. Very personal, it can suit both the delicate freshness of blondes and the disturbing dullness of brunettes."


Fodor's France, 1951:
"Worth, 120, Faubourg Saint-Honore. "Dans la Nuit" — camellia, jasmin base ; "Imprudence" ; "Je Reviens" — cool, for blondes; "Projets" — for sports ; "Requete" — blondes or brunettes."


Bottles:




The parfum was housed inside a lovely crystal flacon outlined in blue by Lalique, there are three different sized flacons 1/2 oz (stands just under 3" tall), 1 oz (stands 3 1/2" tall) and 2 oz (stands 6 3/8" tall).



Harper's Bazaar, 1946:
"Worth's Requete Deluxe Presentation in Lalique Glass."

Home Journal, 1947:
"Requete, on the sweet side, in a blue-edged Lalique flacon. Worth."


Requete 2 oz Lalique flacon with original box. Height 6 3/8 in. Photo by Mastro Auctions.






1940s retail prices are as follows:
  • 1 dram perfume...$3.00
  • 1/2 oz Lalique flacon.....$12.50
  • 1 oz Lalique flacon......$25
  • 2 oz deluxe Lalique flacon....$50
  • 2 oz eau de cologne....$2.50
  • 4 oz eau de cologne....$4.50
  • 8 oz eau de cologne...$8.50

Fate of the Fragrance:



Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in 1976.

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