En Avion by Caron c1929

En Avion by Caron: launched in France in 1929, in USA by 1932. Pronounced "ON-AH-VEE-ON", the name means "By Plane" in French. Created by Ernest Daltroff as a tribute to not only the vogue of air travel, but to both the aviators Jean Mermoz, Hélène Boucher and Lena Bernstein, the latter surpassed the record for time in the air by a woman.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a rich spicy floral-oriental perfume. Spicy, ambery note, with a floral and musky background. It was recommended to be worn for daytime.

• Top notes: orange, neroli, rose and carnation
• Middle notes: lilac, orange blossom and jasmine
• Base notes: amber, leather, opopanax, sandalwood and musk.

Harper's Bazaar, 1933:

"The fresh fragrance of Caron's En Avion was created for the modern - Both femme fatale and femme sportif."

The Delineator, 1935:

"Caron's "En Avion" still holds its own. It's hard to equal its freshness, its brisk and beckoning summons. There's something irresistible about "En Avion." It seems to promise wings."

Vogue, 1936:

"En Avion from Caron, above the woods and the clouds. It is soft and golden, firm and tenacious, light and spicy."

Arts and Decoration, 1936:

"Newest of Caron perfumes is "Fleurs de Rocaille" (Rock-Garden Flowers). This rapturous fragrance by the creators of world famed "Nuit de Noel", is one of three recent additions to the Caron line. The other two are, "En Avion", a light and spicy modern perfume, and "Pour Un Homme", a man's essence. "

Harper's Bazaar, 1956:

"En Avion" — Caron's warmhearted and breezy scent. Feminine but not too sweetly so."

Bottles:

Presented in a crystal urn shaped bottle with a square stopper designed by Felicie Vanpouille, a modified version of this bottle was used in 1936 to house Fleurs de Rocaille. The model is #946 in the Baccarat catalog. The stopper is covered by a chrome frame. The chrome frame lifts off to reveal the square stopper. The top of the stopper has a recessed section that holds an open worked brass disk. The disk shaped as a compass says "CARON - EN AVION" in wonderful Art Deco lettering. This section is covered by a slightly domed panel of glass, creating the top of the stopper.

The perfume retailed for $14 an ounce and $30 for the 2.35 oz size in 1933.

• The 1 oz bottle stands 2" tall.
• 2.12 oz 
• The 2.35 oz size bottle stands 3" tall.

A square metal box was made to house the scented face powder. 

Drug and Cosmetic Industry, 1933:

"En Avion" perfume, a delicate bouquet odor, is the latest addition to Caron perfumes. Complementing the perfume is the face powder presented in square metal case for which refills may be obtained."

Fate of the Fragrance:

Still available for sale around 1988. Discontinued (date unknown).

Reformulated and relaunched in 1995.

RSS Feed Widget