Bouquet Antique by Ciro, launched in 1923, carries a name that suggests both timeless elegance and nostalgic romance. The phrase "Bouquet Antique" is French, pronounced "boo-KAY ahn-TEEK". "Bouquet" refers to a gathering of flowers, often with a rich and harmonious fragrance, while "Antique" conveys something aged, classic, or reminiscent of the past. Together, the name evokes an image of an opulent floral arrangement from a bygone era—perhaps a bouquet carefully preserved in an ornate vase, steeped in history and sentimentality. It suggests a fragrance that is deeply romantic, refined, and evocative of the grand traditions of perfumery.
The choice of such a name would have resonated with women of the 1920s, an era marked by both a fascination with the past and an embrace of modernity. The 1920s, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age, was a period of dramatic social change. World War I had ended just a few years earlier, and a newfound sense of liberation permeated fashion, art, and culture. Women had gained greater independence, reflected in their bolder attitudes, shorter hemlines, and daring bobbed hairstyles. Yet, even as they embraced modernity, there was a concurrent nostalgia for the elegance and refinement of previous centuries. The name Bouquet Antique would have appealed to this dual sensibility—offering a fragrance that felt luxurious and timeless while still suited to the confident, modern woman.
