Carnet de Bal Revillon 1937

Although, or perhaps precisely because I have some very interesting modern fragrances to test, I rummaged through a box for older scent samples.
Revillon's "Carnet de Bal" had been decanted for me by a very nice person several years ago. So I was curious about what I would find.
Even back then, I was amazed at how clear this fragrance still was, even in color. It showed no signs of having gone off or any change.
To my delight, nothing has changed since then, and I allowed "Carnet de Bal" to carry me a little into the past.

"Carnet de Bal" is the French term for a dance card.
Years ago, I had the luck to visit an interesting exhibition in the small, almost private rooms of Britz Castle: it was about these "superfluous little things" surrounding balls - right down to the so-called "dance cards".
Dresses, shoes, pompadours, and shawls were on display, and among other things, I also saw a dance card lying there.
It was made of fairly thick paper, about 10 cm wide, just over 20 cm long, and lined. A small pencil was attached to it with a ribbon.
So the interested gentlemen were allowed to sign up there.
Where this card was kept remains a mystery to me to this day. Did it just stay on the table?
Because it certainly wouldn't fit in the small pompadours that were hung with a loop on the wrist.
There was at most room for a lace handkerchief, lipstick, and the necessary powder compact.
Did people perhaps still take smelling salts to the balls back then?
Maybe, if a big crowd - the joy of every hostess - was to be expected!

I suspect that this fragrance from the house of Revillon was named after the French film "Un Carnet de Bal" by Julien Duvivier, which premiered in 1937. That would fit quite well chronologically.
It tells the story of a young debutante in her very first season and her dance card.

But now finally to the scent:
The liquid in my small atomizer is of truly beautiful color: a rich, not too dark brown. It reminds me with all its golden lights of the color of old, fine cognac.
Or perhaps of a deep brown velvet dress with golden embroidery.

Like the cognac already mentioned, the scent "Carnet de Bal" seems to get better with each passing year.
It greets me with a fresh-fruity note that already makes me look forward to what is to come.
The heart opens up to me with the soft, caressing chamomile and the familiar scent of alpine violet - so wonderfully old-fashioned and indulgent!
I can clearly recognize the noble floral scents of rose, jasmine, and lily. So I believe that the heavy lily is also present; even if it does not want to reveal itself to me.
Before ylang-ylang, as always bright and radiant, closes this circle, the peach note gently knocks - ripe, sweet, and fruity!
Even now, "Carnet de Bal" reminds me of a harmonious waltz that is no longer so quietly playing in the background: this heart note already clearly promises what the base will complete: elegant femininity and subtle eroticism!
This is ensured first and foremost by a distinct amber and a warm hint of vanilla; patchouli - also here a little "musty" - unites with oak moss (dark and earthy) and finally (and now quite animalistic) with civet and musk!
This is no longer for "little girls"!
Now "Carnet de Bal" belongs to a passionate dancer, a passionate woman!

There are several variations of the bottle, with the rounded one being my favorite; perhaps because it reminds me of a cognac snifter and fits beautifully in the hand: thus the circle closes!
The longevity of this fragrance is exceptional. Even after hours, it changes hardly at all; it remains true to itself for a long time!

"Carnet de Bal" is a bit out of time - yes, a bit old-fashioned!
But as beautiful as a lady preparing for a grand ball evening, the big performance.
With this fragrance, attention is definitely guaranteed!