Fleurs de Rocaille by Caron, launched in 1933 (1934 in the USA), draws its name from the French words "fleurs" meaning flowers and "rocaille", which refers to the rocky, stony landscapes often seen in classical European gardens, particularly in the romantic rock gardens of the English countryside. The term rocaille evokes images of rugged, uneven stone formations adorned with lush greenery and colorful, delicate flowers flourishing in the nooks and crannies of stone walls. Fleurs de Rocaille can be pronounced as “flewr duh roh-kahy,” with the emphasis on the second syllable of “rocaille.” The name suggests a bouquet of flowers found in a wild, natural setting, flourishing amidst the rocky, earthy terrain—a perfect blend of nature's raw beauty and delicate elegance. The imagery conjured by this name is one of floral abundance, where blossoms are free to grow amidst stones, intertwining with the natural elements in a harmonious and organic way.
The perfume’s name, Fleurs de Rocaille, fits perfectly within the early 1930s context—a time when the world was recovering from the aftermath of the Great Depression and the exuberance of the Roaring Twenties had given way to a more restrained, yet still elegant, approach to fashion and style. In this period, the Art Deco movement was at its height, characterized by geometric shapes, clean lines, and bold, modern aesthetics. Women’s fashion, though softer and more modest than the flapper styles of the previous decade, still favored elegance and sophistication. Think of the chic simplicity of the garçonne silhouette, tailored suits, and dresses that echoed the refinement of the 1930s. Women of the time, often seeking refuge from economic uncertainties, would have related to a perfume like Fleurs de Rocaille as a delicate escape into nature’s beauty, its fresh floral notes symbolizing renewal and growth. It embodied a sense of understated luxury—a perfume that spoke to women who appreciated quiet refinement over ostentatious extravagance.
The name Fleurs de Rocaille would have been interpreted in scent as an invitation to experience the natural, untamed beauty of a garden where flowers bloom with wild abandon. It is a perfume that begins with a fresh, green floral heart—a bouquet of tender blooms that might include jasmine, lily of the valley, and rose, offering a clean, dewy fragrance that feels like a soft breeze through a sunlit garden. As the perfume develops, it shifts into a deeper, more complex spicy floral heart, where the spices and florals blend in a delicate dance, evoking the subtle warmth of sun-drenched petals. This spicy element adds a layer of intrigue, like the unexpected warmth of a hidden flower blooming in the crevices of a rocky garden. Finally, the perfume settles onto a powdery floral base—soft, comforting, and reminiscent of the earthiness of a well-tended garden. The powdery finish is both feminine and elegant, like the soft scent of dried petals and leaves preserved in the stone crevices of an ancient garden.
