Chanel, Cuir de Russie, 'Russian Leather', 100 ml. or 3.51 oz. Flacon, Eau de Cologne, 1924, 1940, Paris, France ..

"When couturier Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel launched her debut perfume No. 5, in 1921, it changed the whole world of fragrance. Perfumer Ernest Beaux produced a portfolio of samples for Mademoiselle to try .. and she chose the fifth proposal. So No. 5 was born, and has since gone on to become the most recognised name in perfumery, worldwide."

"Ernest Beaux remained the brand’s exclusive perfume designer, or ‘nose’, right up until 1952, creating further landmark scents including Chanel No. 22, and a trio of fragrances which now appear in Chanel‘s Les Exclusifs line: Cuir de Russie, Gardénia and Bois des Îles." The Perfume Society.

Cuir de Russie, or Russian leather was a popular theme at the end of the 19th century. Many perfume houses were creating perfumes for women who smoked cigarettes. Today exclusive, Chanel's Cuir de Russie was created in 1924. The fragrance is provocative and shocking, and that exactly was its purpose, because it was created for a woman who dared to smoke cigarettes in public. It was a kind of encouragement and approval, because at that time a woman who smoked was a scandalous and inconceivable symbol of emancipation.

The composition starts with aldehydes moderated by mild nectar of classical trio .. rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang. The ending comes as smoky, animalistic note of dark leather. The main notes are: orange blossom, bergamot, mandarin, sage, iris, jasmine, rose, ylang ylang, cedarwood, vetiver, styrax, leather, amber and vanilla. The nose behind this fragrance is Ernest Beaux.

Top notes are Orange Blossom, Bergamot, Mandarin, and Neroli
Heart notes are Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, and Iris
Base notes are Cedarwood, Vetiver, Styrax, Leather, Amber, and Vanilla

Offered here is a lovely old 100 ml. or 3.51 oz. flacon of this gorgeous eau de cologne. The label is in good condition. It smells absolutely fabulous! Super rare to ever find a bottle this size of this delicious EDC .. Collectors!! A lovely piece of perfume history. This box is falling apart now and rather shabby.