Eau de Parfum Mist (1964)

In 1964, Elsa Schiaparelli’s Shocking was introduced in a new format: the Eau de Parfum Mist, a 3-ounce aerosol perfume. This innovative presentation used propellants to dispense a fine mist of fragrance, reflecting a mid-20th-century trend toward more convenient and modern methods of applying perfume. The aerosol allowed for a light, even distribution of scent, offering a different experience from traditional splash or dab bottles.

Collectors and vintage fragrance enthusiasts should note that aerosol bottles from this era are delicate. The plastic spray mechanisms inside these bottles often deteriorate with age, and the propellant can alter the scent over time. Additionally, the bottles are prone to leakage, particularly if shipped by air, making them fragile both as collectibles and functional items. Despite these challenges, the 1964 Eau de Parfum Mist represents a notable moment in Schiaparelli’s perfume history, combining her signature creativity with mid-century innovation in packaging and fragrance presentation.

Eau de Cologne - Torso Bottles (1938)

By 1938, Eau de Cologne versions of Schiaparelli perfumes, including her iconic Shocking, were introduced, expanding the accessibility of her fragrances beyond pure parfum. These cologne bottles were initially presented in a modified form of the dressmaker dummy torso bottle, echoing the sensual, sculptural design of the original pure parfum flacon but adapted as a splash bottle with a practical screwcap. This allowed users to apply the fragrance more freely and casually, reflecting the lighter, everyday nature of a cologne compared to the concentrated parfum.

The Stage, 1938:

"Schiaparelli is launching a Shocking cologne, in the dressmaker's- dummy bottle."

As the line evolved, later cologne bottles adopted simplified cylindrical shapes, departing from the more elaborate torso design. This shift not only streamlined production but also emphasized functionality while maintaining an elegant and modern aesthetic. The adaptation of the torso motif into a cologne format illustrates Schiaparelli’s skill in translating her couture-inspired creativity into practical, marketable products, allowing a broader audience to experience her fragrances while retaining the distinct identity of her brand.

Baccarat Cube Stopper Bottles (1938)

The Baccarat Cube Stopper Bottles were first introduced in 1938 and remained in use throughout the 1940s as a signature container for Elsa Schiaparelli’s perfumes. Originally created to hold the pure parfum, this clear glass design was employed not only for Shocking, her most famous fragrance, but also for other scents in her line, including So Sweet, Sleeping, Salut, Le Roy Soleil, and Zut. The sober, elegant design of these bottles is believed to have been influenced by World War II restrictions on imported materials, particularly glass from Czechoslovakia and Italy. During this period, neither perfumers nor consumers could afford the elaborate and ostentatious packaging that had characterized pre-war luxury perfumes, and the minimalist Baccarat bottle was a practical solution.

Manufactured domestically in France as Baccarat model #788, the bottle was made exclusively for Schiaparelli. Its design is tall, upright, and rectangular, with a striking faceted glass cube serving as the stopper. The smaller bottles featured a stopper with an attached dauber for precise application. Typically, the base of each bottle was molded with the inscriptions “Schiaparelli” and “French Bottle”, emphasizing both the brand and its French origin. The clean lines, geometric form, and understated elegance of the Baccarat Cube Stoppers made them a versatile and enduring element of Schiaparelli’s perfume legacy, combining functionality with a distinctive modernist aesthetic.

This bottle came in various sizes:

• 1/4 oz stands 2.5" tall. (this stopper has an attached dauber)
• 1/2 oz stands 3" tall.
• 1 oz stands 3.5" tall.
• 4 oz stands 3.75" tall.

These are the various measurements of the bottles I have found online.

• 2 3/8" tall
• 2 1/2" tall = 1/4 oz
• 3" tall = 1/2 oz
• 3 1/2" tall = 1 oz
• 3 5/8" tall = 1 oz
• 3 3/4" tall = 4 oz
• 4 1/2" tall = 2 oz
• 4 3/8" tall

The bottle was also used for the "Beau Geste" presentation which featured hands offering the flacon of perfume and faux flowers.. Its acetate cover was printed with a lace pattern.