Fille d'Eve Nina Ricci 1956 Parfum

Those were the days! Back then, Ricci had fragrances with character like L´Air du Temps (the vintage version, mind you; the namesake successors are - despite the chic bottles - just a tired imitation), Farouche, Capricci, etc. Fille d´Eve already came in the apple bottle, created by the Laliques. But the real apple craze - as far as bottles are concerned - came later. Customers were then fooled with apple bottles filled with jam-like scents. Since then, I lost interest in Ricci.
But here, folks, is a very fine chypre. Wowza! Launched in 1956, I was still just a twinkle in the window, at least until October when I was conceived.
I kept pondering what the name "Fille d´Eve" could mean. Then I remembered old Honoré de Balzac, who wrote a story titled "Une fille d´Eve" (a daughter of Eve) in 1839. I believe it’s about a woman who wanted to live independently, but I’m not sure, as I haven’t read it. Balzac isn’t exactly one of my favorite authors. He was said to be quite the bon vivant and man about town. But back to Eve. Should we girls all be daughters of Eve? What about the boys? Sons of Adam? Adam and Eve had no daughters, only two sons, Cain and Abel. At least that’s what it says in the biblical book of Genesis. Cain did murder Abel. Murder doesn’t expire! I digress.
Yes, living independently with a confident scent like Fille. Right from the application, one feels freshly washed, strengthened, and pressed. Old hut soap foam, whipped with citrus zest. Clear, cool, even a bit rough.
There’s no sickly floral sweetness. The flowers that Hy and Bercia used seem to have been shock-frozen before distillation.
The pyramid is not complete. There’s no way only 5 measly ingredients were used in 1956. Especially not for a dense chypre.
Later, a hint of wood spreads. Which must have been stored in a patchouli cellar. No, not the mushy earthiness that patchouli sometimes gives off. More like a damp, dark depth. There must have been an old, moss-covered oak standing in front of the cellar or the lab of the two creators.
I confess, I’m smitten. Eve is not a thunderous chypre like Bandit or Paloma Picasso, but it still has a clear statement, character, and sophistication.
Oh, Riccis, where have you left your guts? Take your apples, make applesauce out of them, and remember your early treasures.

Freshly washed with lemon soap, the delicate peach kisses the honeysuckle, jasmine, and cloves. The tender flowers and flower buds intertwine with the citrusy hint.
The wind blows from the plum tree a slightly resinous scent, the plums are still lacking ripeness.

We sit on the soft moss beside the oaks, a lightly earthy fragrance woven with fine suede gloves and the ambers in the sandalwood bowl allows us to find tranquility.

In the distance, soft bell chimes can be heard.
Later, slightly spicy cloves join in, which form a balsamic connection with the moss, a bit of earth, and the woods.

I have described the Eau de Toilette here.
I have not yet perceived the rose. The cloves might come from the balsamic incense.
The fragrance enchants me with its density & depth and simultaneous lightness.
(.. and occasionally reminds me of "Jolie Madame" and "Vol de Nuit" … perhaps I could have chosen “Germaine Cellier in the Propeller Airplane” as a title.. now it has become the signature)

discovered at Cleo: Top notes: bergamot, lemon, peach
Heart notes: cistus, rose, clove, plum, jasmine, honeysuckle, bouvardia, pinang nut
Base notes: patchouli, leather, balm, sandalwood, oak moss, amber, musk, incense, oak absolute