Surrender by Ciro c1932

Launched in 1932, Surrender by Ciro arrived during a time of immense transition and resilience. The name itself, Surrender, is evocative—derived from the Old French surrendre, meaning "to give up, deliver over" and ultimately from the Latin rendere, "to give back." In English, surrender can imply yielding, giving in to emotion, passion, or an irresistible force. This name suggests a fragrance that invites complete immersion—perhaps a surrender to beauty, to romance, or to the fleeting intoxication of a white floral dream. The word conjures images of moonlit gardens, whispered confessions, and the kind of irresistible allure that one cannot fight. There is a softness in the surrender, not one of defeat but of willing abandon, of yielding to something greater than oneself—perhaps love, perhaps desire, or simply the pleasures of fragrance itself.

The early 1930s were defined by both glamour and struggle. The world was deep in the throes of the Great Depression, a period of economic hardship that followed the exuberance of the Roaring Twenties. Despite financial challenges, luxury and escapism remained central themes in fashion and beauty. Hollywood’s Golden Age flourished, offering an escape from reality through silver-screen starlets like Jean Harlow and Marlene Dietrich, who exuded an untouchable, polished beauty. Evening gowns of bias-cut silk clung to the body like liquid, mirroring the fluid sensuality of surrender itself. Daywear became more refined, with elegant tailoring, high necklines, and sculpted silhouettes that gave women an air of power, even as society itself was shifting.

Perfume during this era reflected a need for both comfort and seduction. While opulent fragrances of the 1920s—laden with heavy aldehydes and intoxicating florals—still lingered, the 1930s saw a shift toward softer, more delicate compositions. Surrender fits seamlessly into this transformation, offering a lighter, airier floral with an oriental warmth that made it ideal for warmer weather. The choice of magnolia as its central note evokes a timeless femininity—lush, lemony, yet creamy and soft. This was a scent that suggested romance, sophistication, and quiet strength, qualities that resonated deeply with the women of the time.

Ptah by Ciro c1923

Launched in 1923, Ptah by Ciro arrived at the height of Egyptomania, a cultural phenomenon ignited by the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter. The name Ptah (pronounced "Puh-tah") was a deliberate nod to ancient Egyptian mystique and power, chosen to align with the era’s fascination with the grandeur of the past. In Egyptian mythology, Ptah was one of the most important gods, a creator deity associated with art, craftsmanship, and rebirth. Often depicted as a mummified figure wearing a skullcap, holding a scepter, Ptah was revered as the divine architect of the universe, a god of creation and transformation. The subtitle "King of Them All" further emphasized its majesty, suggesting that Ptah was not merely another fragrance but a ruler among perfumes, a scent of unparalleled distinction.

The 1920s were defined by a relentless pursuit of modernity, but alongside the rush toward the future, there was an insatiable curiosity for the past—particularly the exotic and mysterious world of ancient Egypt. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb sent shockwaves through popular culture, influencing fashion, jewelry, architecture, and, of course, perfumery. Egyptian motifs—lotuses, scarabs, sphinxes, hieroglyphics, and gold accents—appeared on everything from evening gowns to Art Deco perfume bottles. The era’s most stylish women, including socialites and Hollywood actresses, embraced Egyptian-inspired beauty, drawing kohl-rimmed eyes in the likeness of Cleopatra and adorning themselves with beaded headdresses and exotic jewelry.

Fragrance was an essential part of this aesthetic, and Ptah was perfectly positioned to embody this mystical, regal allure. The very name evoked images of an ancient world steeped in ceremony and splendor—the burning of resins in gilded temples, floral offerings laid at the feet of gods, the scent of rare oils perfuming the air of royal chambers. It was a fragrance that whispered of power, mystery, and eternal beauty, capturing the fantasy of a civilization both long-lost and yet newly rediscovered.