In 1924, the world was emerging from the devastation of World War I, moving towards a period known as the "Roaring Twenties." This decade was characterized by economic prosperity, cultural dynamism, and significant social change. The period saw a fascination with modernity, as well as a longing for elegance and luxury. It was a time when women were increasingly gaining independence, symbolized by the flapper movement, with shorter skirts, bobbed hair, and a spirit of defiance against traditional norms. In this vibrant context, gardenias became a symbol of sophistication and timeless beauty, often used in perfumes to evoke an air of opulence and romance.
The word "Giardini" is Italian. It translates to "gardens" in English. The choice of this name for a perfume likely aims to evoke the rich cultural heritage of Italy, known for its beautiful and historic gardens, and to convey a sense of elegance, natural beauty, and luxury associated with these settings. Babani likely chose this name to evoke the lush, verdant imagery of an exquisite garden. Gardens are often associated with tranquility and a sense of escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. By naming their perfume "Giardini," Babani aimed to capture the essence of a serene and luxurious garden, filled with the intoxicating scent of blooming flowers, particularly gardenias, which were popular and admired for their rich, creamy fragrance.
"Giardini" is an excellent name for a perfume because it conjures up images of a beautiful, well-tended garden in full bloom, suggesting a fragrance that is fresh, floral, and rich with natural beauty. The name implies a sensory journey, inviting the wearer to experience the lush and aromatic ambiance of a secret garden. This imagery is not only appealing but also timeless, as gardens have long been associated with romantic and idyllic settings, offering a perfect escape into nature's splendor.
Women of the 1920s, particularly those who were part of the burgeoning middle and upper classes, would have related to a perfume called "Giardini." They were looking for ways to express their newfound freedoms and individual identities. A perfume named "Giardini" would appeal to their desire for elegance, luxury, and a touch of nature in their urban lives. They would respond to this perfume with enthusiasm, appreciating its promise of a sensory escape and its embodiment of refined femininity.
The word "Giardini" evokes images of lush, green gardens filled with a riot of colorful flowers and the delicate scent of gardenias wafting through the air. It brings to mind a secluded, peaceful haven where one can lose oneself in the beauty of nature. Emotions associated with this word might include serenity, joy, nostalgia for simpler times, and a deep appreciation for natural beauty. The imagery of "Giardini" can also evoke a sense of romance and timeless elegance, making it an evocative and appealing name for a perfume in the 1920s.
Giardini, is one of the very new Babani perfumes, the breath of crushed gardenias. A perfume of distinction, is contained within an ornamental tree bottle and encased in a green satin lined box.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? It was classified as a floral fragrance for women with a pronounced note of "crushed gardenias" and "garden pinks". I would need a sample of the perfume to tell you what it really smells like.
- Top notes: daffodil, neroli, orange, cassie, geranium
- Middle notes: rose, gardenia, carnation, tuberose, jasmine, ylang ylang
- Base notes: musk, storax, civet
These fragrances lend themselves so well to the European manner of using perfume — of blending perfumes to suit your mood and costume. Blend two or more Babani perfumes to create a personal perfume formula, a new fragrance which no one can identify or imitate, that will emphasize your interesting complexity, will seem to vary as your charming moods, and yet be essentially you. It was stated that "Giardini may be harmonized with other Babani perfumes to create an individual perfume formula that everyone will envy without being able to imitate."
Drug and Cosmetic Industry - Volume 40, 1937:
"Babani presents six captivating new odors attractively packaged. The odors are classified into two groups: Oriental and Giardini, Jasmin and Gardenia, the floral. Babani recently opened a distributing office located at 521 Fifth Avenue."
Harper's Bazaar, 1937:
"Babani's "Giardini" takes us back to the fresh scent of garden pinks."
Bottles:
"Giardini, is one of the very new Babani perfumes, the breath of crushed gardenias. A perfume of distinction, is contained within an ornamental tree bottle and encased in a green satin lined box."
Giardini by Babani, launched in 1924, is described as "one of the very new Babani perfumes, the breath of crushed gardenias." This description captures the essence of the fragrance, emphasizing its primary note of gardenia, known for its rich, creamy, and intoxicating scent. The phrase "breath of crushed gardenias" evokes a vivid sensory image of freshly picked gardenia petals, releasing their heady aroma. As a "perfume of distinction," Giardini was designed to stand out, offering a touch of elegance and luxury to its wearer. Its packaging further reflects this sophistication, contained within an ornamental tree bottle and encased in a green satin-lined box, adding an extra layer of opulence to the experience.
Giardini was presented in two different bottles, each adding its own unique charm to the perfume. The bottle used for Giardini parfum, referred to as "Bottle X," is particularly noteworthy for its exquisite design. This bottle is shaped like a cube-shaped planter resting on four feet, featuring an ornamental orange tree (topiary) as the stopper. Made of transparent emerald green glass and highlighted with hand-gilded enamel accents, the bottle is intricately molded with floral motifs to further enhance the topiary concept. The title "Giardini" and "BABANI" are inscribed on one side, adding to its allure. The bottle, standing at 4 3/8 inches (11 cm) tall, was housed in a presentation box lined with green satin, creating a cohesive and luxurious presentation. This bottle retailed for $12.00 in 1925, which would be approximately $217.85 in 2024 dollars, highlighting its premium status.
The other bottle, a more accessible option than the de luxe topiary version, retailed for $8.50 in 1925, which would be about $154.31 in 2024 dollars. This option still maintained the elegance and sophistication associated with the Babani brand, offering the enchanting fragrance of Giardini at a slightly lower price point.
Harper's Bazaar, 1925:
"Giardini: a subtle fragrance as smart as gardenias. A bottle that is a formal little tree of green and gold leaves in a gold tub! It comes in a box lined with green satin. $12, other size at $8.50."
A 1925 Harper's Bazaar article further highlights the allure of Giardini: "Giardini: a subtle fragrance as smart as gardenias. A bottle that is a formal little tree of green and gold leaves in a gold tub! It comes in a box lined with green satin. $12, other size at $8.50." This description emphasizes the perfume's sophistication and chic appeal, drawing a parallel between the smartness of gardenias and the stylishness of the fragrance. The ornamental bottle, likened to a formal little tree, underscores the meticulous design and attention to detail that Babani poured into creating an aesthetically pleasing and memorable presentation for Giardini.
The choice of green and gold for the bottle and the satin lining of the box conveys a sense of opulence and refinement, aligning perfectly with the high-end market that Babani aimed to attract. The gardenia scent itself would have evoked a sense of romanticism and exotic allure, making it a desirable fragrance for women seeking both elegance and a touch of nature's beauty in their perfume.
Very rare antique "Giardini" purse perfume bottle by Babani in its original presentation box. Made of colorless glass, the bottle is cylindrical tube complete with a stopper ending with a dauber. It has a gold metallic paper label that reads "GIARDINI / BABANI PARIS" with the typical motif tree in center. The bottle was housed in a cardboard box covered with silver textured paper with round blue paper label, its interior is lined with green satin. Bottle measures 2.5" tall.
No. 1003. Our twelve extracts in an elegant gold box.
Fate of the Fragrance:
Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in 1939.
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