Note: Please understand that this website is not affiliated with the Elizabeth Arden company in any way, it is only a reference page for collectors and those who have enjoyed the Arden fragrances.


The goal of this website is to show the present owners of the Arden company how much we miss the discontinued classics and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back your favorite perfume!


Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the perfume, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories), who knows, perhaps someone from the company might see it.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

It's You by Elizabeth Arden c1938

It's You by Elizabeth Arden: launched in 1938, in USA by 1939. It was created by perfumer Edmond Roudnitska originally for his wife. 

It was so successful that by 1939, Elizabeth Arden added several products to its ensemble:
  • It's You Nail Polish
  • It's You Lipstick
  • It's You Eyeshadow
  • It's You Cream Rouge
  • It's You Dry Rouge
  • It's You Dusting Powder
  • It's You Flower Mist
  • It's You Parfum



Fragrance Composition:



So what does it smell like? It was classified as an aldehydic floral oriental fragrance for women.  It has an unusual bright citrusy cucumber top note from the herb borage and a warm milky base note punctuated by woodsy notes.
  • Top notes: aldehydes, grapefruit, mandarin, cucumber, lemon, borage
  • Middle notes: orchid, linden blossom, lilac, jasmine, gardenia, lily of the valley
  • Base notes: vanilla, ambergris, patchouli, sandalwood, tonka, benzoin, musk, oakmoss


The American Hebrew, 1049:
"PERFUME TRIBUTES OF GREAT ELEGANCE DAY BY ELIZABETH ARDEN Four perfumes by Elizabeth Arden ...that express the ultimate of beauty in fragrance and design. "It's You,", romantic as a young man's fancy in Spring.."

Bottles:


The deluxe flacon for It's You parfum comes in 12 known versions. All in Baccarat design model # 781. It was made as a direct replica of an antique well known Victorian bud vase, the body of which was held by an applied molded hand, a molded rose as the stopper, all underneath a glass bell jar. It was inspired by the movie Gone With The Wind. To see a list and pictures of vintage hand vases check out this link at the Glass Museum: http://www.theglassmuseum.com/glasshandvases.htp

These hand bottles retailed for $37.50 in 1941.

The square bottle's label clearly shows the hand vase bottle. This bottle came in three sizes. These square bottles retailed for $14.75, $24.75 and $25.75 in 1941.


House & Garden, 1940:
"Elizabeth Arden: eye catching Harmony Make-up Box; and, under the glass bell, the nostalgic new perfume “It's You ."



Esquire, 1942:
"It's You Sequence: Perfume — gilt or transparent hand bottle, $37.50 — square bottles, $14.75, $24.75 and $25.75 — pinch bottle with flower top $6.50one dram size $2.25— flower mist $1.50—Dusting powder in oval boxes $1.50"



The Hand Vases Bottles:

If you have any bottles that looks like the ones described below, but aren't shown in the pics below, I would love to add them to the list.


Version 1 is all white opaline glass with polka dots on the non frosted vase and cuff, there is gilt trim on the upper edge of the cuff and on the neck of the bottle, the ring is not enameled, and comes with a gilded stopper.  







Version 2 is all white opaline glass with a gilded vase, and gilt trim on the upper part of the cuff, the wavy trim on the ruffle's edge on the cuff, a gilt ring with blue enamel "stone", gilded stopper.  




Version 3 is all clear satin glass with a non satinized vase, it has a gilt ring with blue enamel "stone" and a frosted stopper. Photo by Perfume Bottles Auction.





Version 4 is just like version 3 except that it has a gilt band along the top of the vase, blue enamel on the upper trim of the cuff, and on the ruffle’s edge and a blue glass stopper, a gilt ring with blue enamel "stone" . This one came in a domed cover. Arts & Fragrances Perfume Presentations Perfume Catalog  Photo by Dallas Auction.

Version 5 looks like Version 4, but doesn't have the gilded band on the vase and the ring isn't gilded, I think it has a red enameled “ring”.

Version 6 looks like version 3 but the upper part (the “lid” of the vase and neck are enameled in blue with white polka dots at the bottom, a gilt ring with blue enamel "stone" , and the cuff and stopper is enameled in white. The cuff’s ruffles have tiny white enameled polka dots on the edges. This was a Christmas version for 1940. 

Version 7 is just like version 4 except there is no golden band on the vase and the hand is stained pink to simulate flesh.  




Version 8 looks just like version 3, except the ring is not enameled at all.  

Version 9 looks just like Version 2, except the hand is gilded also, and the stopper is blue, blue trim on cuff.

Version 10 looks like Version 4 but it doesn't have any gilded decoration.

Version 11 looks like Version 2, but has a white enameled stopper.

Version 12. This bottle looks like Version 2, but there is no enameling on the vases "lid" but there is traces of gilding on the neck in the picture, scroll down to see. There is no gilding on the cuffs edges.


Other Bottles:


It's You was presented in other bottles over the years. One in particular is a tiny, blown glass pinched flacon. 








A scarce bottle used for It's You is clear glass, it appears to be blown as there are no seams present, and fitted with a clear ground glass stopper. It measures  2.5" tall x 2" diameter.



A cute little bottle was used to house the It's You parfum, triangular shaped with a pointed glass stopper, it was also used for other Arden perfumes. The bottle holds 1/8 oz pf parfum and measures just 1 7/8" tall.






Another bottle was used for various Arden perfumes. Cylindrical in shape, it holds 1.25-dram and measures 2.75" tall. The metallic screw cap is fitted with a prong set glass gem.

The Playbill, 1949:
"IT'S YOU, ON DIT, NIGHT AND DAY, WHITE ORCHID OR BLUE GRASS. With simulated sapphire, emerald or ruby jewel."


The It's You Eau de Toilette was housed in the "grenade" bottle, it held nearly 8 oz of the fragrance.  The bottle was used for other Arden scents.





The It’s You Flower Mist bottle stands 5” tall and holds 4 oz. This is the "pinch" bottle.

Miami News, 1942:
 "It's You Flower Mist: An individual blend of floral fragrances , light and delicate for use for every summer need. In four oz convenient fingerprint bottle. $1.75."





The box below is for the It`s You Bath Powder. The cardboard box measures 4.25" in diameter and is 1.75" tall. Notice the hand vase motif is repeated on the front of the box and the carton.





Fate of the Fragrance:



It's You seems to be discontinued by 1960.

Note: Please understand that this website is not affiliated with the Elizabeth Arden company in any way, it is only a reference page for collectors and those who have enjoyed the Elizabeth Arden fragrances.  

The goal of this website is to show the present owners of the Elizabeth Arden company how much we miss the discontinued classics such as It's You and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back the perfume! 

Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the perfume, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories), who knows, perhaps someone from the company might see it.

1 comment:

  1. I'm researching a history piece I'm writing, and am interested in finding a photo(s) or drawings of the square bottle you mention above, with the prices of $14.75, $24.75 and $25.75 in 1941. I'm most interested in the largest size, and what the bottle capacity/volume was for that one. The hand holding the vase is so iconic and ubiquitous, it seems all other bottle options have disappeared without a trace. Any ideas? Thanks much!

    ReplyDelete