Coty, Styx, 60 ml. or 2 oz. Flacon, Eau de Toilette, 1912, 1940, Paris, France ..

If one were to enumerate perfumers who wielded great influence over the course of perfume history, François Coty is among them. A person of great talent and creativity, he gave the world fragrances that would serve as inspirations for many perfumers, despite the fact that he did not have formal perfumery training. Born in Ajaccio, Corsica in 1874, Coty realized that in order to expand the perfume market, the high quality product must be presented in beautiful packaging and at a reasonable price. While marketed as luxury, he deemed that perfume had to be affordable for people of every socio-economic class. While La Rose Jacqueminot (1904) was his first fragrance, incorporating new floral bases, L’Origan (1905) and Chypre (1917) would initiate two new genres of perfumery .. soft sweet floral and chypre.

François Spoturno, originally from Corsica, studied perfumery with Antoine Chiris in Grasse for one or two years before moving to Paris, adopting a variation on his mother's name, which was 'Coti', and launching his perfume business with La Rose Jacqueminot in 1904. Coty was one of the first to understand the importance of fragrance packaging, and more specifically a beautiful bottle .. "A perfume is seen as much as it is smelled", he said. His business expanded, eventually encompassing cosmetics and powders as well as perfumes, until he was one of the wealthiest men in France.

In addition to revolutionizing the packaging and marketing of perfume, Coty was also a respected perfumer. Among his many creations: L'Origan in 1905, Chypre, which was arguably his most famous scent, in 1917, Emeraude in 1921, Paris in 1922, and L'Aimant in 1927.

Styx was launched by Coty in 1912, named after the river Styx from classical Greek mythology. It is classified as a chypre with woody, mossy, leafy notes and is very beautiful in its composition. Styx was advertised as "The Fragrance of subtle, mysterious, haunting personalities." Greta Garbo wore it as her favourite perfume!

Styx seems to share a genetic code with other Coty perfumes, one of creaminess, gentle sweetness and the golden Coty touch. It has a striking violet note, but with an added dark side, befitting a perfume that invokes the river snaking between earth and the underworld Hades.

Top notes Bergamot, Carnation, Ylang Ylang, and Galbanum
Heart notes are Orris, Incense, and Violet
Base notes are Amber, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Benzoin, Woods, Musk and Oak Moss.

Offered here is a lovely 60 ml. flacon of this beautiful, highly sought after fragrance in the Eau de Toilette version. It is no longer sealed and has been gently used. It is hauntingly beautiful and now such a very very scarce fragrance , it is almost impossible to find. Super super rare and gobbled up by collectors. No box. Smells divine!!