SAMPLE .. Jeanne Lanvin, Crescendo, DECANTED SAMPLE From Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1965, Paris, France ..

Jeanne-Marie Lanvin was born on 1 January 1867, Paris. She was a French fashion designer and the founder of the Lanvin fashion house. One of the most influential designers of the 1920's and 1930's, Jeanne Lanvin's skillful use of intricate trimmings, virtuoso embroideries and beaded decorations in clear, light, floral colors became a Lanvin trademark. Wealthy clients flocked to her for the latest fashions.

However, her most significant expansion was the creation of Lanvin Parfums in 1924 and the introduction of her signature fragrance Arpège, in 1927, which was inspired by the sound of her daughter Marguerite's practicing her scales on the piano. ("Arpège" is French for arpeggio.)

In 1924, when Jeanne Lanvin created Lanvin Parfums, SA at 4, Rond Point des Champs-Elysees, she was guided by the conviction that perfume was a vital part of her vision of fashion and life in general. It was a matter of style. Her experience as a milliner taught her the importance of accessories. Olfactory accessories are just another way to win over ladies’ hearts.

"A new perfume launched by the French perfume and couture house of Lanvin took more than 20 years to perfect. It is called Crescendo and is described as a subtle and appealing magnolia essence. It follows five well known predecessors: My Sin, Arpege, Scandal, Pretexte and Rumeur.

The firm of Lanvin purchases one-third of the world’s entire industrial production of jasmine and rose petals. Andre Fraysse, Lanvin’s head chemist and the man who created Crescendo as well as its predecessors, has been with the firm for 35 years. The secret formula of each perfume is known only to Fraysse and the perfume company’s president. Copies of the formulas are deposited in a sealed envelope in a bank vault. Each individual perfume contains a mixture of at least 50 different ingredients. When Fraysse dies, instructions for making the perfumes will be handed to his successor.

Fraysse goes to the source to buy his essential oils somewhat as a French wine taster attends the grape harvests each fall. Sandalwood comes from India, vanilla from Madagascar, certain rose essences from Bulgaria and other floral absolutes from Grasse in the south of France.”

Launched in 1962, Crescendo has been described as "Androgynous. Mysterious. Completely in the Lanvin's tradition. Crescendo is an amazing scent, classified as a soliflore tuberose, but rather a spicy ambery floral with leather undertones. For example it smells like Weil Noir. A beautiful vintage." Basenotes Review, Daniel Remy

"Perhaps it's due to the power of suggestion, but this wonderfully androgynous perfume, at once floral and tinged with tobacco and leather, does seem to get spicier the longer it's on my skin.
As I popped open the tiny bottle, the bracing scent went from floral to spicy in 60. So, instead of the metaphor of a chord broken into component parts, as Arpege suggests, Crescendo takes those parts and amps them up in sound, or intensity, or to play with metaphors, from feminine to masculine. Love it!" Yesterday's Perfume

Crescendo is classified as a floral oriental fragrance for women, consisting of a blend of linden blossoms, magnolia and marigolds layered over a base of musk and ambergris.

Top notes are Aldehydes, Hyacinth, Linden Blossom (tilleul), and Dianthus
Heart notes are Rose de France, Magnolia, Ylang Ylang, Marigold, Honey, Tuberose, Carnation, Iris, and Heliotrope
Base notes are Rosewood, Leather, Tobacco, Ambergris, Incense, Spices, Oak Moss, Sandalwood, Vanilla, and Patchouli

Offered here is an opportunity to try a small decanted sample of this lovely perfume. A wonderfully complex fragrance, Crescendo is worth trying again ..