When your story is set in 1910 a lot of things have to be checked. And it’s not just clothes. Back then both men and women used perfumes. And then you hunt for what was actually available then and what were they like?
You might get lucky and find names and even descriptions, some of which I have used – or even be able to buy one. Like Anna’s favourite ‘Jicky’. I had to order it from Germany but I got my ‘Jicky’ from Guerlain from 1889, tried it out and decided – yes, it will work for her.
It’s been described as ‘scandalous’ and – and, according to Guerlain themselves, it is ‘a scent so revolutionary that it was named the first modern perfume. Breaking with all masculine-feminine conventions, Jicky stuns with its radical play on contrasts. As its lemon-lavender, fougère accord breathes cold, its woody, vanilla notes bring warmth and character. Perplexing women and captivating men…’
For Anna that sounds just right. And to be honest – I like it too and use it myself. ‘The Danish Girl’ showed me how to use it. Walking through the mist. If you try spray it on yourself, you’ll choke. And yes, if you walk through a cloud of scent it sticks to your clothes too. Which it is actually supposed to. And it stays for more than a day and doesn’t change like it does on skin.
For Christian I chose Penhaligon’s Hamam Bouquet, which I haven’t tried out but which is also still around. Penhaligon describes it as ’the luxurious scent of a bygone era.’ Their very first from 1872. Heady lavender, rose and sandalwood. It sounded just right for a former principal dancer. Also strong – so probably best used just like Jicky.
Image: my personal bottle of Jicky.