Launched in 1972, Fleurs du Monde—meaning "Flowers of the World" in French—marked Parfums Fabergé’s bold and elegant entry into the high-end fragrance market. The name itself evokes a poetic universality, conjuring images of a perfumed journey across continents, gathering the finest blossoms from far-flung gardens and sacred flower fields. Pronounced flur doo mond (roughly “flur dew mond” for English speakers), the phrase is as romantic as the fragrance it describes, evoking grace, timeless femininity, and nature’s most exquisite offerings.
The inspiration behind Fleurs du Monde is as refined as its composition. Fabergé drew from the art world, specifically the work of French Symbolist painter Odilon Redon—an artist often associated with Monet and Renoir but known for his more dreamlike, introspective approach to color and subject. A particular Redon floral still life reportedly influenced the fragrance’s creation, and a reproduction of this painting adorned the product’s outer packaging. It gave cultural and aesthetic depth to the launch, tying the scent to a visual expression of beauty that blurred the line between fantasy and nature. This romantic alignment was perfectly summarized by a noted botanist who, when asked to name the most beautiful flowers in the world, responded: “First the Good Lord’s—then Redon’s.”
Set against the social and cultural backdrop of the early 1970s, Fleurs du Monde emerged at a fascinating crossroads. The era was marked by contrast: the youth-driven rebellion of the late 1960s was giving way to softer expressions of femininity, while fashion moved from sharp Mod lines to more romantic, flowing silhouettes. Perfume, too, was shifting. Bold aldehydic and green-chypre scents such as Charlie and Rive Gauche were asserting modern, assertive identities for women, but Fabergé zagged while others zigged. The brand saw a need for a return to sensual, womanly softness—and Fleurs du Monde was their fragrant answer.
Rather than lean into the synthetic crispness of the era, Fleurs du Monde embraced an opulent floral bouquet. Composed of no fewer than 68 natural essences, the fragrance was a love letter to nature. It opened with vibrant Italian bergamot and soft lavender; at its heart bloomed roses and jasmine from Grasse, blended with exotic ylang-ylang from Zanzibar. These florals were warmed by the round, animalic tones of Tibetan musk and ambergris and grounded in a mossy, woody base. French wine lees—an unusual touch—added a subtly vinous richness, underscoring the fragrance’s complexity. It was young and feminine, but also worldly and cultured—a scent that encouraged romanticism in an age increasingly preoccupied with modernism.
Fleurs du Monde also reflected a shift in Fabergé’s market strategy. Known at the time for popular and affordably priced lines like Brut, Tigress, and the youthful Music, Fabergé now sought to stake a claim in the luxury segment. As Richard Barrie, executive vice president of Fabergé, explained: “We are already well represented with many fragrance lines of modest cost… Our new Fleurs du Monde, at $50 an ounce, puts us in the high price bracket.” Produced, bottled, and sealed exclusively in France, the fragrance was initially distributed in limited edition at select upscale retailers, with a national exclusive at I. Magnin through mid-1973. Its presentation mirrored its refined ambitions: the parfum was housed in heavy, sculpted crystal, and the line included not only parfum and eau de toilette, but also luxuries like dusting powder and a finely molded soap.
In comparison to its contemporaries, Fleurs du Monde stood apart—an unapologetically romantic, floral-forward perfume in an era increasingly dominated by modern assertiveness. It offered women a different vision of femininity: not one driven by power suits or liberation slogans, but one that whispered allure through the timeless language of flowers. To wear Fleurs du Monde was to step into a painted garden, to drape oneself in beauty that was both natural and transcendent.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? Fleurs du Monde by Faberge is classified as a floral fragrance for women. A blend of flowers gathered from the far corners of the world.
- Top notes: Italian bergamot, Amalfi lemon, Persian galbanum, Polish blackcurrant, English snowdrop
- Middle notes: Zanzibar ylang ylang, Grasse rose, Grasse jasmine, Swiss lilac, Dutch daffodil, Egyptian hyacinth, Veronese iris, Chinese chrysanthemum
- Base notes: Tibetan musk, Florentine orris, Yugoslavian oakmoss, Haitian vetiver
Scent Profile:
Fleurs du Monde by Fabergé is a masterfully orchestrated floral fragrance that invites you to journey through a global garden, one breath at a time. Composed of ingredients sourced from some of the most storied perfume-growing regions of the world, this bouquet is both a celebration of nature’s diversity and a tribute to the art of perfumery. Each note—whether natural or enhanced with modern aroma chemicals—is carefully chosen for its olfactive beauty and origin-specific character, contributing to a fragrance that is refined, romantic, and unmistakably feminine.
The opening is bright and radiant, beginning with a breath of Italian bergamot, whose zest brings a sunlit sparkle. Unlike the sharper bergamot from other Mediterranean regions, Italian bergamot—particularly from Calabria—is prized for its softness and complexity, with a refined bitterness that mingles citrus with a whisper of floral tea. Alongside it, Amalfi lemon introduces a tart, mouthwatering freshness. This lemon, cultivated on the steep terraced cliffs of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, is fuller and rounder than typical lemon oil—its essential oil exudes a candied citrus brightness, touched with honeyed sweetness.
Persian galbanum adds a verdant green snap—its resinous note is vivid and slightly bitter, like crushed green stems and wet foliage, adding a striking counterpoint to the fruit. Galbanum from Iran (modern-day Persia) is considered among the finest for its clarity and balance of sharpness and depth. The addition of Polish blackcurrant brings a tart, juicy nuance that is slightly animalic, almost like the crushed leaf and fruit combined, adding texture and edge. Then comes English snowdrop, delicate and cool, with a scent not commonly used in perfumery but evoking the clean breath of early spring—earthy and fresh, like a garden awakening beneath a blanket of snow.
As the fragrance blooms into its heart, a luxurious bouquet unfolds. The floral theme deepens with Zanzibar ylang ylang, a tropical flower whose essential oil is known for its intoxicating richness. Sourced from the spice island off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar ylang ylang is especially creamy and full-bodied—its banana-like sweetness layered with jasmine, custard, and a hint of clove. Grasse jasmine and Grasse rose anchor the bouquet with quintessential French elegance. Jasmine from Grasse, hand-picked before dawn, is both luminous and heady—rich in indole, it evokes a sensual, skin-like warmth beneath its floral radiance. Grasse rose—typically Rosa centifolia—is beloved for its delicate, sweetly powdery scent, with a slightly peppery facet that distinguishes it from the jammy richness of Turkish or Bulgarian roses.
Supporting these classics is Swiss lilac, a gentle, airy floral with a honeyed, slightly almond-like scent. Since lilac cannot be distilled naturally, its presence here is most likely recreated using aroma chemicals like lilial or lilac aldehyde—molecules that mimic its dewy, springlike freshness, enhancing the natural composition with shimmering clarity. Dutch daffodil adds a narcotic greenness and subtle pollen-like quality, while Egyptian hyacinth contributes a dense, almost waxy floralcy—hyacinth oil is known for its intoxicating, aquatic-sweet scent that borders on metallic. From Verona, the Veronese iris adds sophistication and powdery elegance. Likely derived from iris root (orris), it brings a buttery, suede-like softness that anchors the florals with a slightly melancholic grace. Chinese chrysanthemum, rarely used in Western perfumery, offers an herbal, camphoraceous edge—astringent yet clean, lending a contemplative, tea-like dimension to the heart.
In the drydown, the fragrance turns warm, earthy, and enveloping. Tibetan musk, though almost certainly synthetic due to ethical restrictions, is meant to recall the soft, skin-like warmth of true musk deer glands—smooth, slightly sweet, and animalic. It’s likely blended from muscone and other white musks, creating a long-lasting sensuality. Florentine orris, among the most expensive materials in perfumery, is derived from aged iris rhizomes. From Florence, its prized quality lies in its woody, violet-like aroma that feels both cool and buttery, lending the base a velvety texture and noble poise. Yugoslavian oakmoss anchors the scent with an earthy, forest-floor depth—rich in evernyl and other mossy aroma molecules, this ingredient adds a chypre-like sophistication, slightly smoky and damp with green lichen. Finally, Haitian vetiver contributes its signature woody-dry earthiness. Sourced from the highlands of Haiti, this variety is smoother and more refined than its Indian counterpart—smoky yet polished, with a dry finish that keeps the floral sweetness grounded and elegant.
The interplay of natural extracts and high-quality synthetic components—particularly in notes like snowdrop, lilac, and musk—serves not only to recreate rare or undistillable scents, but to heighten the realism and clarity of the natural florals. This careful layering enhances each bloom, making Fleurs du Monde not just a perfume, but a living bouquet from across the globe.
At its heart, Fleurs du Monde is a tribute to femininity—not the forceful independence or bold sensuality of the 1970s power fragrances, but something more romantic, soft-spoken, and reverent. It speaks of delicate strength, worldly elegance, and an ideal of womanhood that values grace, complexity, and quiet beauty. It is a time capsule of an era, and a timeless floral for anyone who dreams in petals.
Original Product Line:
The Fleurs du Monde fragrance line by Fabergé was introduced with a luxurious and comprehensive collection of products, offering women not just a perfume, but an entire scented ritual. Launched in the early 1970s, the line was clearly positioned as an elegant floral for the discerning woman, and the pricing structure reflects both the sophistication of the ingredients and the prestige of the Fabergé name. When adjusted for inflation, these prices reveal just how luxurious this line was at the time, comparable to today’s niche or designer fragrance houses.
The pure parfum was offered in three sizes—0.25 oz, 0.5 oz, and 1 oz—priced originally at $15.00, $27.50, and $50.00 respectively. Adjusted for 2025, that translates to approximately $115.75, $212.21, and $385.84, making the 1 oz size in particular an ultra-premium item. This concentration, being the most intense and longest-lasting, captured the full floral complexity of Fleurs du Monde in its richest form. Parfum formulations typically feature a higher concentration of aromatic compounds (often 20–30%), allowing the wearer to experience the full development and depth of the fragrance with a minimal application. These bottles would have been prized for their opulence and intended for special occasions or collectors.
The Parfum de Toilette, which would be roughly equivalent to today’s Eau de Parfum concentration, was available in both splash and spray formats. The 2 oz and 4 oz splash bottles were priced at $7.50 and $12.50 respectively (or $57.88 and $96.46 in 2025 dollars). These offered a more accessible way to enjoy the fragrance, perfect for women who preferred to dab on their scent rather than spray, allowing for a more controlled and intimate application. The Parfum de Toilette Spray came in 1.85 oz and 3.5 oz sizes, priced originally at $8.50 and $13.50 (about $65.59 and $104.18 today). Spray bottles were increasingly popular during this era for their convenience and modern appeal, allowing a fine mist to distribute the floral blend evenly across the skin and clothing.
Complementary bath and body products completed the line, creating a fully immersive fragrance experience. The Dusting Powder, a generously sized 10 oz container, sold for $20.00 (approximately $154.34 in 2025). Scented powders were a hallmark of sophisticated grooming at the time, offering a silky finish after a bath while prolonging the wear of the fragrance on the skin. It would have been lightly infused with the Fleurs du Monde scent, providing a soft, powdery floral veil.
Lastly, the boxed set of three 3.5 oz scented soap cakes, priced at $7.50 (or $57.88 in 2025 dollars), offered a daily luxury. These finely milled soaps would have produced a rich, creamy lather and subtly perfumed the skin, extending the fragrance experience to the bath. The inclusion of soaps in fine fragrance lines was typical of the period, reflecting both the elegance and practicality associated with well-appointed vanities.
Together, the Fleurs du Monde product range offered tiered access to luxury. From the ultra-concentrated parfum to the everyday pleasures of soap and powder, the line embodied a complete sensory wardrobe. Pricing across the range shows clear distinctions in concentration, packaging, and use, yet even the most affordable item retained the refinement expected of Fabergé’s offerings. When viewed through the lens of today’s value, these products underscore just how much care, quality, and prestige was invested into fragrance during this era—each item serving as a passport to a perfumed world of far-flung flowers and timeless femininity.
Fate of the Fragrance:
Though Fleurs du Monde launched with the elegance and promise of a long-standing fragrance line, its time on the market was surprisingly brief. The exact date of its discontinuation is not definitively recorded, but by 1975, Fabergé had ceased actively promoting the fragrance. This suggests that the company had already begun to shift focus toward other launches, and that Fleurs du Monde—despite its rich composition and broad product range—may not have achieved the commercial success initially anticipated.
By 1977, the fragrance could still be found at some retailers, but only as old stock, quietly moving through inventory rather than being replenished or spotlighted. This pattern is typical of discontinued perfumes: the main production and marketing efforts are phased out, while existing inventory continues to circulate, often at discount counters or department store clearance tables. Collectors and devoted fans might still have had access to it, but new customers would not have encountered Fleurs du Monde through advertising or in-store promotion.
The reasons for its discontinuation remain unclear, but it may have been due to changes in consumer preferences, internal brand strategy, or shifting trends within the fragrance market. The mid-to-late 1970s saw a rise in bolder, more dramatic scents—chypres, orientals, and aldehydic florals—which may have overshadowed Fleurs du Monde’s classical bouquet. Nevertheless, for those who experienced it during its short run, it remains a fragrant echo of Fabergé’s attempt to bottle a world of flowers—and a reminder of how even the most beautifully composed perfumes can vanish from the shelves in just a few years.
1986 Reformulation & Relaunch:
In 1985, Fabergé reintroduced Fleurs du Monde with a renewed vision—modernized for the mid-1980s woman yet still rooted in the romantic elegance of its original floral inspiration. The relaunch brought a reformulated fragrance profile, now crafted to accompany a woman from morning into the late hours of the evening. No longer positioned as a luxury limited edition, the new Fleurs du Monde was aimed at the accessible, affordable end of the fragrance market. Despite the more modest price point, it was considered one of the best newcomers in its category at the time—proof that a well-crafted floral bouquet could still captivate even without the prestige packaging or exclusivity of high-end lines.
The new scent was a gentler interpretation of the original—a luminous floral designed to evoke the atmosphere of a lush summer garden at twilight. Notes of lily of the valley, bluebells, and hyacinths gave the perfume a soft, green-toned freshness, while roses, lilac, and blackcurrant extract lent deeper floralcy and fruit-laced sweetness. The inclusion of blackcurrant helped tie the new fragrance to its predecessor, maintaining some continuity in character, though the overall effect was more delicate and wearable throughout the day. This version avoided the opulence and complexity of the 1972 formula, favoring lightness and charm over grandeur.
Packaging was also given a complete overhaul. The bottle design nodded to the elegance of Lalique-style glasswork, with a frosted finish and a stopper shaped like a stylized iris, reinforcing the floral theme. The outer packaging was refined yet contemporary, wrapped in pink moiré with silver and gray accents—tones that suggested softness, femininity, and a quiet sophistication. The iris motif featured prominently in both the bottle and outer box design, acting as a symbol of grace and floral refinement.
The 1985 line was far more extensive than the original. In addition to parfum and eau de toilette, the collection included dusting powder, soap, bath gel, body lotion, and two modern formats for the on-the-go wearer: a 28 ml cologne spray and a 1.5 ml rollerball. These additions reflected evolving consumer habits in the 1980s, as personal fragrance extended beyond the pulse points and into an all-encompassing bath and body ritual. While it may not have recaptured the exclusivity or mystique of the 1972 release, the reformulated Fleurs du Monde succeeded in reimagining the concept of a worldly floral for a new generation—one that desired beauty, accessibility, and versatility.