Carmen de Tommaso born in Paris in 1909; she was Mme Carven Mallet
when she opened her haute couture house in borrowed apartments in the
elegant Rond Point des Champs Elysées in 1945. In 1959 she became
the first perfumer to sell fragrance in-flight. Parfums Carven was bought
by Worth in 1995. In 1998 acquired by perfumers Daniel Harlent
Ma Griffe
Parfums Carven
1946
Created by Jean Carles of Roure Perfumers, the name translates ‘my signature’, a crisp green mossy chypre floral parfum with top notes of gardenia, citrus, galbanum and clary sage; heart notes of jasmine and rose on base notes of sandalwood, vetiver, oak moss, benzoin, labdanum, and musk, classified D3f. Presented in a cube shaped bottle with a spiral cap designed by Jacques Bocquet. Package in a green and white deep ‘V’ shaped designed box, which echoed the plunging neckline of her signature dress.
Ma Griffe
Parfums Carven
1946
As above but as a parfum de toilette
Robe d’un Soir
Parfums Carven
1947
A floral aldehyde parfum, classified B5f.
Chasse Gardée
Parfums Carven
1950
A floral spicy amber fragrance, classified F2f
Pour Elle Pour Lui
Parfums Carven
1950
Variations
Parfums Carven
1950
An edt with top notes of Indian carnation and labdanum, heart notes of hyacinth and vetiver on base notes of sandalwood and amber. Re-launched in 197. Presented in a rectangular clear bottle with steel grey spiral stopper designed by Robert Granai. Re-launched again in 2000
Vétiver
Parfums Carven
1957
A mossy woods masculine edt
Vétiver pour Homme
Parfums Carven
1957
A woody edt created by Firmenich with top notes of bergamot and lemon, heart notes of vetiver and bergamot with base notes of cedar and sandalwood, classified E1m.
Presented in a bottle designed by Jacques Bocquet. Discontinued (date unknown)
Vert et Blanc
Parfums Carven
1958
A green feminine chypre fragrance, classified D5f.
Eau Vive
Parfums Carven
1966
As a marketing ploy, it was allowed to be sampled on all Air France flights. Created by Quest International; a crisp citrus fragrance with notes of lemon, geranium, sandalwood and patchouli. It was the first edt not derived from a parfum ‘Eaux Fraîche’. Re-launched in 1995 which coincided with Carven’s 50th anniversary, the formulae was re-vamped by Giles Rouet of Quest International, a very different fragrance from the original with green top notes of fennel, coriander, mandarin, lavender and juniper, heart notes of acacia, jasmine, neroli, apple, lily of the valley, grapefruit and pineapple on base notes of vetiver, vanilla and musk. Presented in the same green and white packaging of the original 'Eau Vive' designed by Gilles Rouet
Vétiver Dry
Parfums Carven
1974
A crisp aromatic masculine fougère edt
Monsieur Carven
Parfums Carven
1978
A soft oriental edt
Madame de Carven
Parfums Carven
1979
A fresh floral-bouquet edt with top notes of bergamot, galbanum, peach and coconut, heart notes of ylang-ylang, tuberose and jasmine on base notes of orris, vetiver, oak moss, castoreum and musk, classified B3f. Presented in an unusual bottle that features an enigmatic swirl on the glass and has a wing-like amber and tortoiseshell gold cap.
Guerlanades
Parfums Carven
1982
A fruity floral fragrance
Guirlandes
Parfums Carven
1982
A soft fresh white flower floral parfum, classified B3f
Guirlandes
Parfums Carven
1982
As above but as an edt
Intrigue
Parfums Carven
1986
A classic fruity-floral fragrance with top notes of tangerine, jasmine, rose and rosewood, heart notes of ylang-ylang, black currant and nutmeg on base notes of artemisia, vetiver and sandalwood, classified B3f.
Robe d’un Jour
Parfums Carven
1991
Robe d’un Rêve
Parfums Carven
1991
Madame Guirlandes
Parfums Carven
1998
Carven pour Homme
Parfums Carven
1999
A dry woods edt
Vétiver pour Homme
Parfums Carven
2004
Re-formulation of the above by François Robert from Synarome