In 1956, the year in which the perfume "Trapeze" was launched by Corday, marked a period of post-war optimism and burgeoning prosperity in Western societies. The world was transitioning from the austerity of the war years into an era characterized by economic growth, technological advancement, and evolving social norms. This was also a time when women's roles in society were starting to undergo significant changes, with increasing opportunities for independence and self-expression.
When we think of a trapeze artist performing high above the ground, there's a sense of being elevated to great heights, both literally and metaphorically. In the realm of love, "dizzying heights" can represent the exhilaration and euphoria experienced when falling in love — the feeling of being swept off one's feet, the rush of emotions, and the sense of being on top of the world.
Emotionally, the name "Trapeze" conjures up images of circus tents under starlit skies, the thrill of acrobats performing breathtaking stunts, and the exhilaration of taking risks. It suggests a perfume that is not merely a fragrance, but a sensory experience that ignites the imagination and stirs the senses.
The name "Trapeze" for a perfume is intriguing and evocative in several ways. Firstly, a trapeze is a type of circus apparatus, symbolizing grace, agility, and daring feats. It embodies a sense of freedom, excitement, and a touch of danger. Choosing "Trapeze" as the name suggests a perfume that aims to capture these qualities — something that is alluring, adventurous, and perhaps a bit unconventional.
For Corday, selecting such a name could have been a strategic decision to appeal to women who were embracing their newfound freedoms and aspirations in the 1950s. The name "Trapeze" implies a sense of risk-taking and exhilaration, qualities that can be metaphorically connected to the thrill and excitement of falling in love and romance. Love itself can be seen as a daring endeavor, often involving risk and uncertainty, yet holding the promise of great rewards.
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For a perfume named "Trapeze," this imagery enhances its allure, suggesting that wearing this fragrance could transport someone to the heights of passion and romance. It implies a perfume that embodies the intensity and thrill of love, where every moment feels like a breathtaking leap into the unknown, full of excitement and possibility.
The name "Trapeze" resonates with women who are confident, adventurous, and embrace life with a sense of spontaneity and passion. It would attract those who appreciate perfumes that evoke images of elegance, grace, and a hint of daring. A woman attracted to such a perfume might see herself as someone who navigates life with poise and confidence, much like a trapeze artist who gracefully maneuvers through the air.
Thus, "Trapeze" not only connects with the daring and grace of its namesake circus act but also with the dizzying heights of love, making it an even more evocative and appropriate choice for a perfume aimed at capturing the essence of romance and adventure.
In conclusion, "Trapeze" as a perfume name captures the spirit of its time — an era of optimism, transformation, and evolving femininity. It appeals to women who embrace adventure and romance, and who see love as a journey of excitement and daring. The name itself evokes a sense of grace, elegance, and the thrill of taking leaps into the unknown, making it a fitting choice for a perfume aimed at women who live life with passion and confidence.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? It was classified as a light, modern floral fragrance for women.
- Top notes: aldehydes, clary sage, citrus, jonquil, lily of the valley
- Middle notes: gardenia, ylang ylang, orange blossom, rose, jasmine
- Base notes: orris, sandalwood, musk, oakmoss, tonka bean, amber
Scent Profile:
Imagine yourself suspended high above, ready to perform a trapeze stunt with your lover. As you prepare for the exhilarating leap, the first rush of sensations hits you — a blend of aldehydes and citrus. The aldehydes shimmer like the glint of sunlight off the trapeze bar, adding a crisp and bright quality to the air. Mixed with citrus, there's a refreshing zest, reminiscent of the clean, invigorating scent of fresh lemon or orange, heightening your senses as you take in the anticipation of the act.
Beneath you, the safety net below is adorned with jonquil and lily of the valley. These delicate floral notes waft upwards, their sweetness mingling with the earthy aroma of the safety mats. You catch a hint of jonquil's greenness and lily of the valley's innocent charm, grounding you in the moment, reminding you of the soft landing waiting should you falter. Their presence evokes a sense of safety and comfort amidst the thrill.
As you soar through the air, the middle notes of gardenia, ylang ylang, orange blossom, rose, and jasmine envelop you like a warm embrace. Gardenia brings a creamy richness, ylang ylang adds a tropical sweetness, and orange blossom exudes a heady, floral citrus scent. The rose and jasmine weave together, their floral elegance intertwining like the synchronized movements of a perfectly executed routine. These notes evoke passion and intimacy, filling the air with the essence of blooming love and mutual trust between you and your partner.
As you prepare for the final descent, the base notes of orris, sandalwood, musk, oakmoss, tonka bean, and amber anchor the fragrance with a sense of depth and sensuality. Orris lends a powdery softness, sandalwood adds a creamy smoothness, and musk brings a subtle animalic warmth. Oakmoss provides an earthy green touch, while tonka bean and amber impart a sweet, resinous richness. Together, they create a lingering trail that echoes the passion and intensity of the experience, leaving a lasting impression of warmth and closeness.
In the midst of this aerial dance, surrounded by these evocative scents, emotions swirl — excitement, trust, exhilaration, and a deep connection with your partner. Each ingredient in the perfume "Trapeze" mirrors a facet of this daring act, capturing the essence of lightness, modernity, and femininity through its floral complexity and sensual undertones. It's a fragrance that embodies the thrill of taking a leap into the unknown, both in love and in life, leaving a trail of memories as vibrant and unforgettable as the performance itself.
Bottles:
The bottles housing Corday's perfumes are a testament to both elegance and functionality, reminiscent of the classic designs of Guerlain's Shalimar parfum bottle. Crafted with a fluted bulbous base and an octagonal foot, these bottles exude a timeless charm. Each is topped with a fan-shaped ground glass stopper, which adds a touch of sophistication and serves as a nod to luxury and craftsmanship.
These exquisite flacons were not limited to just the Parfum variety but were also used for the Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette versions of Corday's fragrances. This design consistency across different fragrance concentrations underscores Corday's commitment to presenting their perfumes in vessels that convey both beauty and practicality.
The deluxe parfum flacons, reserved for the highest concentration of the fragrance, are made from clear crystal and feature the signature fan-shaped glass stopper. Adorned with a silver metal label hanging around the neck, similar to a liquor tag found on decanters, these bottles were meticulously crafted by Baccarat, a renowned crystal manufacturer. Each bears the acid mark of Baccarat on its base, symbolizing the impeccable quality and heritage associated with these luxurious vessels.
In contrast, the non-deluxe bottles were crafted from molded glass and typically adorned with a simpler silver foil or white paper label. The base of these bottles provides insight into their origin: those marked "Corday Bottle Made in France" were produced by Pochet et du Courval, while those simply marked "Corday" were manufactured by Wheaton Glass in New Jersey, USA. This variation in production location and labeling reflects the diverse sourcing strategies employed by Corday to meet the demand for their perfumes across different markets.
The range of sizes available in these fan stoppered bottles catered to various preferences and needs. From the miniature 1/5 oz Parfum bottle, standing at a diminutive 1.7 inches tall, to the larger 4 oz Eau de Parfum Splash bottle, measuring 5.25 inches in height, each size offered a unique experience of the fragrance. Additionally, the Factice, or dummy bottle used for advertising purposes, stood tall at 8 inches, showcasing the grandeur of Corday's perfume presentations in promotional contexts.
In essence, Corday's bottles not only housed their exquisite fragrances but also served as vessels of artistry and craftsmanship, embodying the brand's dedication to elegance and luxury in the realm of perfumery.
Fan Stoppered Bottles:
- 1/5 oz Parfum (acquaintance bottle) mini bottle stands 1.7" tall.
- 1/4 oz Parfum bottle stands approximately 2.5" tall.
- 1/2 oz Parfum bottle stands 3.5" tall.
- 1 oz Parfum bottle stands 4.25" tall.
- 1 oz Parfum deluxe crystal bottle stands 6" tall and was made by Baccarat.
- 2 oz bottle stands 4.75" tall.
- 2.5 oz Eau de Parfum Spray stands 5.25" tall.
- 4 oz Eau de Parfum Splash bottle stands
- 1 oz Eau de Toilette bottle stands 5" tall.
- 3 oz Eau de Toilette Splash bottles stands 5.5" tall.
- Factice (dummy bottle used for advertising) stands 8" tall.
In the realm of Corday's offerings, the adaptation of their Eau de Parfum into a spray format introduces a practical yet stylish twist to their iconic bottle design. Unlike the classic ground glass stopper found on their Parfum counterparts, the Eau de Parfum Spray version features a modern spray mechanism.
The bottle itself retains the elegant silhouette characterized by a fluted bulbous base and an octagonal foot, reminiscent of Guerlain's Shalimar parfum bottle. However, atop this refined structure, the traditional fan-shaped ground glass stopper gives way to a Lucite cap designed to cover the spray mechanism. This adaptation maintains the aesthetic coherence of Corday's perfume line while enhancing usability and convenience for daily application.
Standing at a height of 5.5 inches, the 2.5 oz Eau de Parfum Spray bottle not only accommodates a larger volume of the fragrance but also serves as a testament to Corday's commitment to blending timeless elegance with contemporary functionality. The Lucite cap, echoing the fan-shaped motif, adds a touch of modernity and ensures that each spray dispenses the fragrance with precision and grace.
This adaptation speaks to Corday's ability to evolve with the times while preserving the essence of their heritage. By offering their Eau de Parfum in a spray bottle adorned with a Lucite cap, Corday combines the allure of classic design with the convenience of modern application, catering to the desires and lifestyles of discerning perfume enthusiasts.
During the 1960s, Corday's Trapeze perfume underwent a distinctive transformation in its packaging, departing from the traditional fluted bulbous base to adopt an avant-garde cube-shaped bottle with rounded shoulders. This departure from convention reflected the era's embrace of modernist aesthetics and experimental design in perfume packaging.
The cube-shaped bottle of Trapeze was a bold departure from the norm, standing out with its clean lines and geometric precision. Despite its unconventional shape, the bottle retained an element of elegance with its rounded shoulders, balancing innovation with timeless sophistication.
Atop this striking bottle, a ground glass stopper was elegantly fitted, featuring a notable central hole. This design detail not only served a functional purpose in dispensing the perfume but also added a distinctive visual accent, enhancing the bottle's overall appeal.
This packaging evolution in the 1960s encapsulated Corday's willingness to innovate while staying true to the essence of Trapeze as a fragrance. The cube-shaped bottle with rounded shoulders and a unique ground glass stopper with a central hole symbolized a fusion of modernity and classic craftsmanship, making it a standout piece in the realm of perfume design during that era.
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Fate of the Fragrance:
Despite its unique and innovative design in the 1960s, Corday's Trapeze perfume eventually faced discontinuation, though the exact date of its discontinuation remains unknown. However, historical records indicate that Trapeze was still available for purchase as late as 1969, suggesting its continued popularity and presence in the market during that period.
The decision to discontinue Trapeze could have been influenced by various factors, including shifting consumer preferences, changes in marketing strategies, or internal business decisions within Corday. Perfume brands often make adjustments to their product lines to adapt to evolving trends or to focus resources on new launches and innovations.
Regardless of its discontinuation, Trapeze remains a notable part of perfume history, remembered for its distinctive cube-shaped bottle with rounded shoulders and ground glass stopper. Its presence in the market until at least 1969 highlights its enduring appeal and the impact it had during its time as a modern and stylish fragrance choice for women.
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