Launched in 1927 by Elizabeth Arden, Le Rêve d’Elizabeth was one of four signature scents introduced that year alongside La Joie d’Elizabeth, Le Jardin d’Elizabeth, L’Amour d’Elizabeth, and L’Étoile d’Elizabeth. These perfumes were exclusively available in the luxurious Elizabeth Arden salons worldwide. The collection was thoughtfully marketed as being "charmingly dedicated to human relationships and emotions instead of the usual flowers," with fragrances described as both "unusual and beautiful" in their conception. Encased in square-cut crystal bottles of elegant simplicity, these scents were as much a celebration of refined aesthetics as they were of individuality and depth.
The name Le Rêve d’Elizabeth translates from French to “Elizabeth’s Dream” (pronounced leh REHV duh ee-lee-zah-BEHT). The choice of French, the language of sophistication and perfumery, added a touch of international allure to the product, while the word “dream” evoked images of imagination, aspiration, and an almost ethereal elegance. For women of the time, a perfume with this name might have embodied an idealized sense of luxury, ambition, and escape—qualities that resonated deeply in an era when societal roles for women were expanding, and self-expression was increasingly celebrated.
As a heavy, spicy oriental fragrance, Le Rêve d’Elizabeth was intended to envelop the wearer in warmth and opulence. Its description as a “winter scent, good for furs” conjures images of glamorous evenings, roaring fires, and the tactile luxury of rich fabrics like velvet and fur. Women might have related to this perfume as a symbol of sophistication and status, complementing the elegance of evening gowns and the Art Deco aesthetic that defined the late 1920s.
The name Le Rêve d’Elizabeth translates from French to “Elizabeth’s Dream” (pronounced leh REHV duh ee-lee-zah-BEHT). The choice of French, the language of sophistication and perfumery, added a touch of international allure to the product, while the word “dream” evoked images of imagination, aspiration, and an almost ethereal elegance. For women of the time, a perfume with this name might have embodied an idealized sense of luxury, ambition, and escape—qualities that resonated deeply in an era when societal roles for women were expanding, and self-expression was increasingly celebrated.
As a heavy, spicy oriental fragrance, Le Rêve d’Elizabeth was intended to envelop the wearer in warmth and opulence. Its description as a “winter scent, good for furs” conjures images of glamorous evenings, roaring fires, and the tactile luxury of rich fabrics like velvet and fur. Women might have related to this perfume as a symbol of sophistication and status, complementing the elegance of evening gowns and the Art Deco aesthetic that defined the late 1920s.
