Lucien Lelong, Orage, 'Thunderstorm', 60 ml. or 2 oz. Flacon, Eau de Cologne, 1935, Paris, France ..

Born in Paris in 1889, Lucien Lelong learned the finer points of luxury, style and sophistication from his father, a thriving textile shop owner. At the age of 22, Lelong attended the Hautes Etudes Commerciales in Paris, and by 1914 had designed his first complete collection. In 1919, Lucien Lelong opened the couture house that would eventually become the training ground for fashion luminaries like Jean Ebel, Pierre Balmain, Christian Dior, and Hubert de Givenchy.

Success seemed to come overnight. Within a few years, Lucien Lelong had become undeniably influential in the Parisian fashion industry. Aside from serving as the President of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture for many years, he was widely recognized by his peers for his keen intuitive understanding of fabrics and their integral importance in the creation of a dress.

In 1924, as Lucien Lelong approached the pinnacle of his career, he began experimenting with fragrance. The inspiration for his perfumes, which he considered to be an integral part of a woman's style, came from his designs and the individual, enigmatic traits of the women who wore them. Initially, the man who would become known for his elaborate, collectible bottles and flacons, made no attempt to decoratively package his unique scents. However, when requests for his perfumes started coming in from as far away as America, Lelong became inspired. The Société des Parfums Lucien Lelong was born and would continue to thrive well after Lelong closed the door to his famed fashion house.

Lucien Lelong's first perfumes were succinctly named A,B,C,J, and N and were intended to evoke a sense of mystery and romance, much like Chanel's numbered versions. The intricately crafted bottles, largely designed by Lelong himself, were inspired by fabrics, garlands, feathers and modern architecture and are still collected to this day. In all, Lelong created 27 different fragrances, including Indiscret (1935), perhaps his most famous perfume.

Launched in 1935, Orage has been known by several different names: Opening Night, La Premiere, and Tempest. "Opening Night has been released also as La Premiere, Tempest and Orage. It is a lovely green chypre, a cross between Coty's 1927 L'Aimant (which it most resembles in its top notes) and Millot's 1925 Crepe de Chine (which it resembles in its green dry down.) As a tribute to both scents, it works in combining the two." Basenotes Review. Jack Twist.

"This is a stunning vintage fragrance, they way I would imagine the dressing room of some of the 1930's actresses to smell like. Beautiful, somewhat powdery in the drydown, like the beautiful make up in a theatre with a gentle sweetness to it. Love it." Basenotes Review. JDB111

Orage is described as a sparkling aldehydic floral oriental gourmand fragrance for women with a chypre base.

Top notes are Aldehydes, Mandarin, and Bergamot
Middle notes are Violet, Sage, Freesia, Iris, Jasmine, and Hydrangea
Base notes are Orris, Cedar, Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Oak Moss, Amber, and Vanilla

Offered here is an original bottle of Orage Eau de Cologne, 80%. It still smells lovely, though it is quite light. Suitable for both men and women. A summer scent. No box.