Ecusson

Again, as with Casaque, you have misspelled the name of the company. It is not Jean D'Albert. It is Jean D'Albret. Thank goodness for "long-lost" or many of us would have to suffer without our favorites.

Écusson was one of the first bottles of perfume in my vintage collection of scents. I have a 1/2 ounce bottle of the parfum , which judging from the other bottles I've seen, is from the 1960's or earlier. The ground glass stopper was frozen on when I acquired it and it remained that way for years. When I finally got curious enough to get the top open, I dismissed the scent, as my nose and my perfume knowledge were not yet sophisticated enough to understand Écusson and place it within a context at that time. This morning I put it on after all these years and I can finally say I "get it". While it won't make my TOP 25 list, I can say that it is a very soft, beautiful and well-blended aldehydic, powdery, floral with a base of soft woods, vanilla and musk. If you like Chanel No. 5, L'Interdit and other powdery florals in that vein, you'll love Écusson, because it's very smooth. I can say that I like this enough that I'll now be reaching for it more often, especially on those mornings when I need something soft and mellow to start my day. Sillage is moderate.

I am in possession of a vintage .25oz bottle of this one in pure parfum, Jean D'Albret version. It took me well over a year to find out what it was as there were no labels on the curvy bottle with pointy red top. Thank goodness for Ebay or I'd still be wondering. Based on the maroon plastic cap, I'd date the bottle I have to the '80's so not sure if it is the original scent or a reform. The jus itself is very rich, full bodied and deep, verging on a floral chypre. The top is more orange than lemon, full of aldehydes. There's a slight clove nuance and it's hauntingly powdery. It's only slightly sweet, the base notes are well blended with no one note sticking out and is very smooth and comforting. The oakmoss and vetiver stand out the most in the drydown. I used to wear L'Origan in the '70's and if I remember correctly, the two are very similar. Also seems alot like the old Chloe, same family. I like it very much. Update: Since this was discontinued in the 70's, my bottle's about a decade older than I thought. Still smells wonderful!

I just got my mini perfume, vintage 1952 or so from research. It is a bottle shaped like a shield, in a clear plastic case with ridges around it and was sealed with yellow paper tape with black pen images of Paris on it. Seems to have never been used until now. Though quite old it still opens with aldehyde and a scent i'm not familiar with and a small hint of lemon (i'm new to Fragantica and am still learning the notes). I think it,s iris. Smells like that scent in Prada infusion d'iris which i can't stand -- and tried so hard to love because Miss Oprah did. OK - about an hour later it was a lovely powdery vanilla, woody, maybe some oakmoss. A familiar and favorite smell. Reminds me a bit of Chanel 22 in the dry-down. There is no fruit, sugar or anything screaming about this beautiful fragrance. I have never smelled anything quite like it, especially in the opening and middles. While it won't be my favorite, it is worthy on the vanity. Vintage Ecusson does it's own thing, makes it's own music and dances like no one is watching.

Ecusson is another outstanding offering from LLP. I am so impressed with the quality of LLP and especially with Ecusson, which is sublime. It is beautiful, balanced and absolutely classic. Wonderful aldehydes and a sophisticated spicy, but dry heart and base. There is a substantive delicacy about this that few modern perfumes have. Is it like the original? I have never smelled it, but I know for sure this one is great. Longevity is moderate and I need reapplication about 5 hours in. I'd prefer it to last longer, but somehow I don't mind in this case. That is not to say that it is weak, it is not, while it is present it has good sillage and longevity is right on for an edt.