1969 by Histoires de Parfums

Hey there Perfume Posse People! Lately I’ve been doing most of my perfume shopping on Sales Docs in the Facebook perfume pages. Scotty bought a bunch of things from me and sent the money via PayPal so it feels like I have this other income stream to blow on frags. One of my latest pick ups is 1969 by Histoires de Parfums. This crew has been pumping out excellent, reasonably priced fragrance since 2000. Yet the scentbloggosphere is remarkably quiet about their stuff lately. This particular offering was created by the house founder and perfumer Gerald Ghislain.

1969 by Histoires de Parfums 2001

Gerald Ghislain

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Peach
Heart: Rose, white flowers, cardamom, clove
Base: Musk, patchouli, Mexican chocolate, coffee

1969 is classic proof that you can’t judge a scent by its name or note list. I see peach, a spicy bouquet, chocolate, coffee and patchouli and I’m thinking, because it’s called 1969, that I’m going to basically get the scent of someone heavily perfumed with Mitsouko in a head shop. Wearing tie dye, protesting against the Vietnam War and dreaming of living the adventure described in James A Michener’s The Drifters (I’ve been rereading it since I got back from holidays, Amazing book) If that’s what you thought, prepare to have your preconceived ideas thrown in the bin.

 

1969 IS a herbal fruit-chouli. While having a lovely, herbal but clean patch it also has the sweetness of tinned peaches and a spicy hit. There is a dark chocolate drizzled over everything and the whole is a far more elegant and refined fragrance than I could have dreamed. It’s warm, a little bit earthy and modern. Sheer and radiant with oodles of heft and throw. Not what I expected but better than that, a modern and wearable beauty that is interesting enough to make my head go on fantastic journeys but not so potent that I’m unable to think clearly.

Surrender To Chance has an excellent selection of Histoires de Parfums

Portia xx

 

 

 

Portia also writes for Australian Perfume Junkies

  • springpansy says:

    Portia, I haven’t tried 1969, but The Drifters, omg. In 1981, my dear college roomie and I went on the Eurail trip of a lifetime. I first read The Agony and the Ecstasy through Italy, then the Drifters through Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, etc. I loved that book. It would be fun to revisit. And eat muesli while reading!

    • Portia says:

      Hey there Spring Pansy,
      You are the ONLY other person, other than my father, who has ever even known this book existed. Do go back and reread. So much of what it says makes real sense to my now grown up self. All I saw back then was the glamour of sex, drugs and travel. Spent the last however many years scratching those itches but now the underlying political, humanist and thought provoking message are making a much bigger dent.
      Lucky you, that trip sounds fabulous.
      Portia xx

  • Dina C. says:

    Haven’t tried this one at all, but I love HdP Vert Pivoine so very much and have been using a decant of it all summer long. Getting a FB of it is high on my “want” list. It’s a powdery, green peony to me. Very clean and refreshing smelling during a sweaty, humid summer. 1969 sounds like a great choice for fall. I’m so ready for cooler weather.

  • Tara C says:

    I really liked my first bottle, but my second bottle smells a bit meh. Not much character at all. I am letting it sit for a while to see if it gets better or decide it’s been reformulated. The first bottle was exactly as you described. I want to try thair Noir Patchouli next.

  • Gina Tabasso says:

    Out of their offerings, this was one that fell in the just okay bucket for me: goes on like coca cola; a bit candied, too soft, citrus and patchouli powder

  • Kathleen says:

    This is the perfume I have coming in my monthly Scentbird decant subscription! I’ve been intrigued by it and now especially after reading your review. I should have my nose on it in a few days! Peach, spicy, and warm sounds perfect for pending fall weather soon!

    • Portia says:

      Hey there Kathleen,
      We are curiously in sync lately. I love it.
      Yeah, 1969 should make your fall smell wonderful.
      Portia xx

      • Kathleen says:

        Portia, I received my decant of 1969, and it is as good as you described. The best patchouli fragrance I have worn. I get boozy peach and plums initially and cardamom. It is better than I expected as well, and I’m fairly certain I have the recent reformulation. I can’t imagine how good the original version was! This perfume will smell wonderful in the crisp fall air next month.
        And I want to read The Drifters!

        • Portia says:

          YAY! So glad you’re loving it Kathleen.
          If you do read The Drifters I’d love to hear what you think of it. My nostalgia may be standing in the way of good taste. Doesn’t matter though, when I get to it I thoroughly enjoy it.
          Portia xx