Who remembers this famous brand of perfume? It was all the rage from 1924 to 1980– at least for true perfume aficionados. My Sin (Mon Peche) by Lanvin, was created back in 1924 by a mysterious Russian lady called Madame Zed. Here is its description by professionals who obviously have better noses than mine:
This feminine, provocative and dangerously seductive fragrant composition begins with aldehydes, bergamot, lemon, clary sage and neroli. The middle notes are: ylang-ylang, jasmine, rose, clove, orris, lily-of-the-valley, narcissus and lilac. The base is oriental – woody with vetiver, vanilla, musk, woody notes, tolu balm, styrax and civet.
Whatever.
My dad owned a small town drugstore in Ashland. He always carried My Sin (only one bottle of it) but kept it locked up in a glass case along with one tiny bottle of Chanel #5. It was a handy gift possibility for some panic stricken semi-wealthy guy who forgot his wife on Christmas, Valentines Day, their anniversary, or her birthday. It’s amazing what people will pay when faced with the probability of lifelong scorn. I can’t say for sure that I ever smelled the expensive perfume. My mom didn’t wear it; neither did either of my grandmothers. They stuck with Jungle Gardenia, White Shoulders, and Tabu. I might have gotten a whiff of My Sin’s legendary fragrance when some rich lady sashayed through our church foyer, but who knows?
