Elsa Schiaparelli Shocking Parfum Paris circa 1937

Elsa Schiaparelli, the surrealist loving Italian aristocrat Parisian fashion designer, created her sensational Shocking Parfum in 1937. The bottle was designed by Leonor Fini, a surrealist artist known for her erotic depictions of strong woman. The female torso was inspired by Schiaparelli client Mae West. An advertisement for the parfum depicts Little Red Riding Hood carrying a bottle of the parfum in her basket, and whose red clothing is coming undone as she runs from a tuxedo-clad wolf in haute pursuit. The bottle looks to be unopened, though the glass cloche from the packaging is missing. Still, a very special accessory from one of fashions true originals. {The perfume consists of top notes of aldehydes, bergamot and tarragon; middle notes of ylang-ylang, honey, rose and jasmine; base notes of musk, clove and civet.  There are most certainly dashes of patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, and amber thrown in to accent the mix. Everything acts together to make for a deep, dark, dirty, yet fantastically accessible fragrance. The standout notes are the ever present base notes of honey and civet drenched musk – it’s addictive beyond all belief.  There are very few perfumes I have come across that get the balance of having an ever present base that manages to develop so distinctively. Generally speaking, the darker the perfume, the more emphasis you will have on the base notes and civet. - Aaron Potterman, Vintage Perfume Columnist, borrowed respectfully from the blog, Ça Fleur Bon}