Le Vertige by Coty: launched in 1906. Created by Coty's chief perfumer Vincent Roubert. Pronounced "LEH-VAIR-TEEJH," the name means "dizziness" in French and refers to the gay, dizzying rhythm of the dance.
"This firm has brought out no less than thirty new lines during the winter, of which the two most recent "Vertige" and "A'Suma", are also the most noteworthy. All these lines are sold at fairly moderately priced, except for the these two."
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? It was classified as a floral woody oriental perfume for women. It begins with a sparkling citrusy aldehydic top, punctuated by a strong geranium note, followed by a fresh floral heart, layered over a warm, woody oriental base. For gala events, this perfume is a fruity blend with an amber background.
- Top notes: aldehydes, lemon, geranium, bergamot
- Middle notes: rose, lily of the valley, orris, frankincense, labdanum
- Base notes: Mexican vanilla, ambergris, cedar, oakmoss, Indian musk, vetiver, Mysore sandalwood, patchouli
Originally a dry, woody oriental perfume, the fragrance was reformulated in 1928 to include sparkling aldehydes in the composition.
Philippine Magazine, 1928:
"Of Coty's world-famed odeurs, three are pictured. La Fougeraie au Crepuscule expresses the dark, cool mystery of ferns at twilight. In a crystal column, A'Suma interprets the romantic splendor of the South Seas. Le Vertige, just created, offers an opportunity for giving a new gift of true aristocratic distinction."
Vogue, 1936:
"Vertige de Coty - nineteen years old, a muslin dress, spring sings and dances. Intoxicating, delicate and youthful scent."
Rester Jeune, 1936:
"Le Vertige de Coty, worthily continues a glorious lineage. Much more tenacious than it seems at first glance, it evokes gallant parties, refined voluptuousness. It's name is not new; it had long been the property of Coty, who took it over to baptize a new perfume. Le Vertige, a luxury perfume is presented in an engraved Baccarat crystal bottle; the box, the interior of which is padded with pink satin, reproduces Louis XVI subjects, like Saxony porcelain, in an authentic, of very pleasing color. The large model box is in colored Moroccan leather."
Vogue, 1937:
The East African Annual, 1941:
"Coty's "Vertige" is as dry and heady as fine champagne. The Baccarat bottle, cut to catch the light, comes in a box lined with quilted white satin, studded with love-knots."
Marie-Claire, 1937:
"Vertige by Coty: Warm. Dominant note: flowers and fruits. For Redheads."
The East African Annual, 1941:
"Let your Christmas present, therefore, be the gift of gifts — a perfume by Coty. There is a Coty creation to answer every mood and motif — a perfected perfume for every feminine type. " Paris " for gaiety and vivacity, " Le Vertige " to add mystery to charms, Chypre for glamour - not forgetting L'Origan and L'Aimant. And each is so beautifully packed, so excessively acceptable."
Bottles:
In 1936, the Le Vertige parfum was housed in a spectacular Baccarat crystal flacon, model #760 and designed by Pierre Camin. The bottle, elegantly cut to catch the light, "La Vertige Coty" is etched in script on the top of the tapered crystal stopper. The flacon comes was nestled inside of a presentation box lined with quilted rayon satin and studded with love knots. Little bolsters protect the bottle.
On the bottom of a presentation box made for sale the Indian market a label reads:
The bottle was available in several sizes:
In the 1930s, le Vertige was offered in four sizes and prices:
Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in the 1960s as evidenced by Parfum de Toilette being created.
On the bottom of a presentation box made for sale the Indian market a label reads:
"Our specialties originally created in the City of Perfume, at Suresnes, Paris, France are manufactured in England specially for India and imitations will give rise to action for the protection of the name "Coty" which is the exclusive property in India of Coty (England) Limited, Coty London."
The bottle was available in several sizes:
- 0.50 oz bottle stands 3" tall (No. 700)
- 1 oz bottle stands 3.5" tall (No. 701)
- 1.50 oz bottle stands 4" tall (No. 702)
- 2 oz bottle stands 4.25" tall (No. 703)
- stands 4.75" tall.
In the 1930s, le Vertige was offered in four sizes and prices:
- No. 703 - $35
- No. 702 - $18.50
- No. 701 - $10.00
- No. 700 - $6.00
By 1947, prices for the perfume had increased:
- No. 703 - $45
- No. 702 - $22.50
- No. 701 - $15.00
- No. 700 - $8.50
Other bottles:
Le Vertige was also presented in other bottles throughout the years.
Fate of the Fragrance:
During World War II, importations of Le Vertige and Chypre were severely limited to the United States and Coty issued an apology to the American women. The reason given is that the company could not source the precious, high grade ingredients used in the making of the perfume due to worldwide enemy occupation. Also, "we have been entirely cut off from France ever since her complete invasion in November 1941." So rather than use poor quality substitutes to recreate the fragrances, Coty went the high road and just halted production of the scents Chypre and Le Vertige until they could once again source the proper raw materials.Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in the 1960s as evidenced by Parfum de Toilette being created.
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