Robert Piguet, Bandit, Leather, 120 ml. or 4 oz. Flacon, Eau de Toilette, 1944, 1960, Paris, France ..

Acknowledged by peers, the women he dressed, and the press as “the most Parisian of fashion designers”, Robert Piguet, while programmed to be a financier, was, in fact, destined to become one of the legendary figures of haute couture. Robert Piguet was born in Switzerland. At 17, in the face of heavy opposition from his family, he left Yverdon for Paris where he found employment first with Redfern and later with Paul Poiret, his lifelong friend and quite possibly, the most influential designer in the history of haute couture.

In 1933, having completed his training at two of the most important fashion houses of the Twentieth century, Piguet opened his own house in the Rue de Cirque. There he became known for the delicacy and reserve of his morning and afternoon dresses, a certain flamboyance of color in clothes for evening and for the perfect cut of his thin grey flannel suits .. every collection a reflection of his infallible eye, refined simplicity and the quality that most defined Piguet: elegance. In style. In character. In inspiration.

Charming and aristocratic, a connoisseur of literature, painting and the decorative arts, by 1938, Piguet’s success and reputation were such that he was presiding over his new and beautiful salon .. almost operatic in its opulence .. at the Rond Point des Champs Elysee. Among the most prestigious of addresses, the House became destination for the elite of all Paris .. the great beauties of fashion and the distinguished luminaries drawn from the worlds of theatre and the arts. In fact, upon Piguet’s death, Jean Cocteau, a dear and trusted friend, as was Colette and the great director, Jean Marais, wrote of Piguet “he loved, he invented, he gave .. a generous and vibrant member of our team.”

And, then, of course, there are the fragrances .. a contribution of unrivalled magnitude. It has been observed that Piguet’s perfumes .. Bandit, Fracas and Baghari, “have a particular feel, very characteristic of his trademarks: strict adherence to good taste, true luxury, a horror of the commonplace and an innate sense of seduction” True classics of timeless beauty and value that endure far beyond season and trend.

Launched in 1944, Bandit is the most daring in the whole line of perfumes like Caron Tabac Blond and Chanel Cuir de Russie, perfumes for an emancipated woman on the turn of the last century; for a woman who dares to smoke in the public. Bandit was made for the avantgarde Robert Piguet's collection, inspired by romantic sea voyages and pirates.

Bandit is a classic "chypre" with dark animal notes and aggressive leather accord. In 1999, after 25 years, production of Bandit started again. In the perfume version, leather and smoke notes are followed by clear notes of white flowers and vetiver. The nose behind the original fragrance is Germaine Cellier. This flacon was probably produced in the 1960's. A wonderful perfume!

Top notes are Artemisia, Bergamot, Gardenia, and Aldehydes,
Heart notes are Jasmine, Orris, Rose, Galbanum, and Carnation
Base notes are Leather, Patchouli, Vetiver, Myrrh, Oak Moss, and Amber

Offered here is a wonderful and very rare large four ounce flacon of the Bandit fragrance in the Eau de Toilette version. Absolutely fabulous .. ! Still sealed at the mouth of the bottle, so it has not evaporated over the years. Happily worn by both men and women .. So rare to find nowadays.