Elle, Elle by Lucien Lelong c1941

The launch of "Elle, Elle" by Parfums Lucien Lelong in 1941 and its subsequent relaunch in the USA in 1946 occurred during a transformative period in global history, particularly shaped by World War II and its aftermath. In France, the early 1940s marked a time of uncertainty and cultural redefinition amidst German occupation. Despite the challenging circumstances, Paris retained its reputation as a center of fashion and elegance, albeit under altered conditions.

Parfums Lucien Lelong's choice of the name "Elle, Elle" was not only a nod to the initials "LL" of Lucien Lelong but also a clever play on words that resonated deeply in both French and American contexts. In French, "Elle" means "she" or "her," emphasizing femininity and elegance—qualities closely associated with Parisian haute couture. This name would have appealed to Lucien Lelong's vision of celebrating women's sophistication and resilience during wartime.

"Elle, Elle" was particularly appropriate for a perfume during this era because it encapsulated the spirit of feminine empowerment and style amidst adversity. Women who related to this perfume would have been those seeking a sense of glamour and identity during a tumultuous period. They would have responded to "Elle, Elle" with a mix of admiration and aspiration, viewing it as more than just a fragrance but a symbol of French resilience and fashion savoir-faire.

 The name "Elle, Elle" evokes images of Parisian chic, with visions of sophisticated women in couture gowns, walking along the Champs-Élysées or enjoying a café on a boulevard. It conjures feelings of elegance, confidence, and a touch of nostalgia for a time when style was a statement of resilience and cultural identity.

Jean Carles, the perfumer behind "Elle, Elle," would have crafted it with meticulous attention to detail, blending floral, oriental, and possibly mossy notes to create a fragrance that mirrored the complexity and allure of its time. Its relaunch in the USA in 1946 would have introduced American women to this essence of Parisian elegance, offering them a taste of French sophistication and glamour during the post-war period of rebuilding and optimism.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? Very heavy, animalic oriental perfume with sweet, woody notes. This perfume has a pronounced Autumn fragrance with a heavy moss type overtone.

• Top notes: aldehydes, bergamot, angelica, chamomile, daisy, cinnamon, nutmeg
• Middle notes: rose, orris, carnation, cumin, celery seed, carrot seed, jasmine, patchouli
• Base notes: civet, ambergris, galbanum, castoreum, sandalwood, tonka bean, benzoin, oakmoss, vanilla, labdanum, sandalwood, cedar, tobacco, leather, musk, frankincense

L'Illustration - Issues 5143-5155, 1941:

"ELLE, ELLE." Voici le nouveau parfum de lancer LUCIEN LELONG."

The New Yorker, 1947:

" Lucien Lelong — "Elle, Elle," for the sophisticate, "Passionnement," for the very young.."

Bottes:

The "Elle, Elle" bottle is a simple, clear crystal bottle, rectangular shaped and molded with the double L logo, topped with a flat rectangular ground glass stopper. The bottle was also used to house the other Lelong perfume Taglio, for that perfume only, a rectangle is molded around the double L logo, giving it a framed appearance.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown.