Worth, Vers la Jour, 'Towards the Dawn', 50 ml., 1.76 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, Lalique, 1925, Paris, France ..

Founded by an Englishman born in Lincolnshire, Charles Frederick Worth, it almost signlehandedly established couture upon opening quarters in Paris in 1858 in collaboration with Otto Bobergh, due to the lucky occasion of impressing Princess de Metternich, the wife of the newly appointed Austrain ambassador in Paris. She in turn impressed with her Worth-sewn dress costling only 300 francs! Empress Eugénie, the coquette and dazzling wife of Napoleon III, at one of the three balls the royal couple gave at the Tuilleries Palace during the winter season of 1859. Thus is the true story recounted:

"Eugénie had taken a liking to the young and vivacious Princess Metternich, and on that night when the empress noticed her dress .. so the princess recounts in her memoirs .. the following conversation took place .. "May I ask you, Madam," she enquired, "who made you that dress, so marvellously elegant and simple?"
"An Englishman, Madam, a star who has arisen in the firmament of fashion," the Princess replied.
"And what is his name?"
"Worth."
"Well," concluded the Empress, "please ask him to come and see me at ten o'clock tomorrow morning."
“He was made, and I was lost," wrote Princess Metternich jokingly, "for from that moment there were no more dresses at 300 francs each."

Vers le Jour was originally created by Maurice Blanchet inn 1925. The bottle was designed by Rene Lalique. The fragrance is fresh, floral, and fruity. Worth, under Jean Charles and Maurice Blanchet, released five perfumes in a chronological sequence to tell a passionate story .. Dans la Nuit (1925), Vers le Jour (1925), Sans Adieu (1929), Je Reviens (1932), Vers Toi (1934) .. "In the night ... towards dawn ... without saying goodbye ... I return ... towards you."

Apart from creating thus a mystical, subtle love confession simply via the names, Worth collaborated with René Lalique into creating memorable bottles for the fragrances. Dans la Nuit was encased in a blue boule bearing the stars of the nightime sky. Vers le Jour was on the contrary in bright, yellowing red glass like the dawn. Sans Adieu was in green, with a cone-head cap with cut-outs which makes an impression even today.

Top notes are Bergamot, Red Berries, Rose and Angelica Root
Heart notes are Narcissus, Cyclamen, Jasmine, Osmanthus, May Rose, Peony, Peach, Pineapple and Watermelon
Base notes are Virginia Cedar, and Sandalwood

Offered here is a beautiful and very rare bottle of this precious perfume. About 1/4 has evaporated over time. It comes with its original box. The box is soiled both on the inside and the outside. So beautiful and collectible. Vers la Jour!