At Scarlett Gasque, we believe that lingerie isn’t the only finishing touch in the bedroom. Join us as we step back in time to explore the signature scents of 10 iconic women, from Marilyn Monroe's legendary Chanel No.5 to Josephine Baker’s beloved Guerlain Sous Le Vent.
Learn about the fragrances adored by the women who inspired Scarlett Gasque, and find out which of these timeless perfumes can still be bought today. Take a leaf out of Monroe’s book and discover your perfect seductive scent to pair with your lingerie.
Let’s get started!
10 stars and their favourite perfumes
1. Marilyn Monroe’s favourite perfumes were Chanel No.5 and Floris Rose Geranium
Everyone knows Marilyn Monroe adored Chanel No.5… In 1952, she famously said that she wore the scent to bed and a year later, she was photographed for Modern Screen magazine lying in bed with a bottle of the perfume standing proudly on her nightstand.
Chanel No.5 is a timeless perfume with top notes of citrus and floral notes of jasmine, rose and ylang-ylang. Best of all – it’s never gone out of fashion and you can still purchase Chanel No.5 today!
Marilyn Monroe’s love for Chanel No.5 was no secret. But did you know that she also had a thing for Floris Rose Geranium? In 2002, it was revealed that while filming "Some Like It Hot," Monroe had 6 bottles of the scent delivered to her Beverly Hills Hotel under the name Miss Dorothy Blass. You can actually go and see the receipt at the 89 Jermyn Street Museum alongside other treasured pieces of Floris history!
With its playful notes of rose, geranium, citronella and sandalwood, Floris Rose Geranium perfume adds a dash of old-school charm and a touch of intrigue to anyone who wears it…
2. Dorothy Dandridge's favourite perfume was Dana Tabu
Dorothy Dandridge was the first black woman to win an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and she had a signature scent that was as bold and captivating as she was. Her fragrance of choice? Tabu by Dana. Created by the legendary perfumer Jean Carles, Tabu is said to be a scent fit for a femme fatale.
The perfume features a tantalising mix of bergamot, clover, oriental rose, amber, moss, musk, patchouli, sandalwood and vetiver, and it quickly earned a reputation. With spicy top notes, a heart of exotic florals, and a rich, musky base, Tabu perfectly matched Dandridge's sultry elegance and remains a timeless classic to this day.
3. Jayne Mansfield's favourite perfumes were Schiaparelli Shocking and D'Orsay Intoxication
Hollywood bombshell Jayne Mansfield also had a taste for unforgettable scents, although her favourites aren’t as widely known as those of Marilyn Monroe. However, a beautiful photograph of Mansfield shows that she was likely a fan of D'Orsay Intoxication – a bottle of the scent can be seen on her dressing table!
This perfume offers a seductive blend of styrax, citrus, amber and oakmoss but it has unfortunately been discontinued. You may be able to find a bottle today at auction or via a discontinued perfume marketplace.
D'Orsay Intoxication
Created: 1938
Where to buy: Discontinued
Jayne is also said to have been a fan of Schiaparelli Shocking, a daring amber floral fragrance with a dazzling mix of tarragon, honey, jasmine and patchouli.
The original fragrance was discontinued before being reformulated in 1979 by the perfumer Martin Gras. Unfortunately, we can’t seem to find the newest version of the fragrance anywhere online but you may be able to find it at auction or via a discontinued perfume marketplace.
Schiaparelli Shocking
Created: 1937
Where to buy: Discontinued
4. Rita Hayworth’s favourite perfume was Guerlain Shalimar
Rita Hayworth adored Guerlain Shalimar, a fragrance that has become legendary in the world of perfumery. Launched in 1925, Shalimar was one of the first oriental perfumes, inspired by the enchanting Garden of Shalimar that Emperor Shah Jahan built for his beloved wife.
With notes of bergamot, rose, jasmine and tonka bean, this perfume is a beautiful blend of romance and mystery. Even after nearly a century, Shalimar continues to captivate women and inspire perfumers everywhere.
5. Josephine Baker’s favourite perfume was Guerlain Sous Le Vent
Josephine Baker, the world-famous American sensation in Paris who became iconic after wearing a skirt made from bananas, also had a unique fragrance of choice. Her favourite scent was Guerlain Sous Le Vent and it was actually created especially for her!
This chypre perfume featured notes of oakmoss, dried tobacco leaves, basil, tarragon and galbanum resin. Although it was discontinued around 1972, Jean Paul Guerlain reformulated and briefly relaunched it in 2006 as part of the 'Il Etait Une Fois' collection. While this limited edition perfume is hard to get hold of today, you may be able to find a bottle of it at auction or via a discontinued perfume marketplace.
Guerlain Sous Le Vent
Created: 1934
Where to buy: Discontinued
6. Elizabeth Taylor’s favourite perfumes were Jean Desprez Bal A Versailles and Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds
Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor had a flair for glamorous scents that matched her dazzling persona. In her earlier days, Taylor adored Jean Desprez Bal à Versailles, an oriental fragrance crafted in 1962 from rosemary, orange blossom, sandalwood and vanilla.
Taylor is said to have worn this perfume on the set of "Cleopatra" and is known for famously gifting it to Michael Jackson, who wore the perfume for the rest of his life. While this scent hasn’t been officially discontinued, its availability is limited due to its vintage status. Luckily, bottles of this legendary scent can currently be bought from a number of online fragrance boutiques.
Taylor went on to revolutionise the industry with her own line of perfumes, the most iconic being White Diamonds. Launched in 1991, White Diamonds remains the best-selling celebrity fragrance of all time!
This luxurious scent opens with a seductive blend of aldehydes, bergamot and orange, leading into a heart of violet, jasmine, ylang-ylang and rose. It’s glamorous and leaves a lasting impression, much like Taylor herself.
7. Audrey Hepburn’s favourite perfume was Givenchy L'Interdit
Audrey Hepburn had a signature scent as sophisticated as she was: Givenchy L'Interdit. Created exclusively for her by Hubert de Givenchy in 1954, L'Interdit (which means "forbidden" in French) was rumoured to have been Hepburn’s secret until it was released to the public in the 1960s.
This floral aldehyde fragrance features enchanting notes of bergamot, rose, jasmine, iris, violet, narcissus and sandalwood, with a seductive touch of tonka bean. Givenchy's olfactologist, Françoise Donche, describes L'Interdit as a fragrance that is both mischievous and sensual.
8. Sophia Loren’s favourite perfume was Jean Patou Joy
Italian actress Sophia Loren had a soft spot for luxurious scents. In 1967, during a break in filming on location in Naples, novelist John Cheever asked Loren about her favourite things. Her response? "I like the smell of the sea, I like Patou’s Joy, and I love the smell of stables."
Released in 1929, Jean Patou’s Joy became iconic for its opulence, created with 10,000 jasmine flowers and 28 dozen roses. A bottle of Joy was a staple on Loren’s dressing table, and it was even captured in a photograph of her preparing to meet Queen Elizabeth II.
While it’s no longer produced, you can still buy this scent from online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon.
9. Grace Kelly’s favourite perfumes were Chateau Krigler 12 and Creed Fleurissimo
Grace Kelly, the epitome of royal elegance and Hollywood glamour, had a refined taste in fragrances. One of her favourites was Chateau Krigler 12, a perfume beloved by queens and princesses. She is reported to have worn the lavish scent at the 1955 Oscar Film Awards, where she won best actress.
Chateau Krigler 12 has a blend of almond, lily of the valley, mimosa, musk, rose and violet, which make it both ethereal and sultry.
In 1956, as she prepared to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Grace Kelly commissioned the French luxury perfume house Creed to create a special scent for her wedding day. The result was Fleurissimo, a romantic and dreamy perfume designed to complement her bridal bouquet.
This classically feminine fragrance combines notes of violet, bergamot, Bulgarian rose, Florentine iris and jasmine. Fleurissimo remains a favourite among brides today who want to capture the timeless charm and romance of Kelly's unforgettable wedding day.
10. Dita Von Teese's favourite perfumes are Houbigant Quelques Fleurs L'Original and Dita Von Teese Dita Von Teese
For years, Dita Von Teese’s go-to fragrance was Houbigant Quelques Fleurs L'Original, an 18th-century fragrance that resonated with her from a young age and remained a staple in her collection (until she discovered that her boyfriend's mother also adored it!)
Quelques Fleurs L’Original was the first true multi-floral perfume ever created, with notes of galbanum, bergamot, lily of the valley, rose and oakmoss.
After realising that she wore the same perfume as her boyfriend’s mother, Von Teese decided to create her own signature scent. Launched in 2011, Dita Von Teese by Dita Von Teese captured the essence of a femme fatale with its floral and woody composition.
Created by perfumer Nathalie Lorson, it opens with a blend of bergamot, peony and Bourbon pepper, with a heart of Bulgarian rose, Tahitian tiare flower and jasmine, and settling on a warm, seductive base. It’s difficult to buy this scent today but you can usually find it on online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
Since 2011, Von Teese has released a number of other daring perfumes. Check them out!
Complete a star-inspired transformation with Scarlett Gasque
Why stop at just scent? Pair your favourite vintage perfume with a stunning Scarlett Gasque lingerie set or corset and complete a star-inspired transformation.
Our pieces are designed in the UK and exude high glamour, elegance and a touch of camp energy to help you channel your inner pin-up girl, become the burlesque dancer of your dreams, or radiate the charm and grace of a Hollywood starlet.
Check out our Instagram for inspiration, and get ready to find your new favourite look!