Capricci by Nina Ricci c1960

Capricci by Nina Ricci: launched in 1960. Created by Marcel Carles.

Capricci was very prized in Europe, and it was the official French Government gift to visiting royalty.



Fragrance Composition:


So what does it smell like? It is classified as a light, elegant aldehydic citrusy floral fragrance for women. Sophisticated, modern aldehydic blend with lily of the valley, reseda, Chinese gardenia, jasmine and Bulgarian roses layered over musk oakmoss and ambergris.

• Top notes: aldehydes, bergamot, green leaves, calyx note, lily of the valley, reseda
• Middle notes: oregano, rosemary, tuberose, Chinese gardenia, orris root, jasmine absolute, hyacinth, ylang-ylang, lily-of-the-valley, geranium, Bulgarian rose, may rose absolute, and narcissus
• Base notes: ambergris, sandalwood, musk, benzoin, oakmoss and vetiver

 

Bottles:

The original Capricci was available in Parfum and Eau de Toilette concentration only.  Parfum was housed in Lalique crystal bottles. 

Deluxe Faceted Crystal Bottles:

The deluxe bottles are faceted cut crystal. The largest Lalique parfum bottle for Capricci holds 11 oz.

 

• 11 oz = 6.25" tall.
• 6.6 oz = 6" tall.

Disk Shaped Splash Bottles:

These bottles debuted in the 1950s and are found in both parfum and eau de toilette concentration. The bottles were manufactured by Lalique, the circular body has a scalloped design around the edges and a spherical glass stopper with the initials NR raised on the neck. These bottles were fitted with round paper labels. The Eau de Capricci bottles were fitted with a gilded screw cap. 

Parfum Bottle sizes:

• 8.75" tall
• 5 1/8" tall  (6.8 oz), with screw cap
• 5" tall (3.3 oz) 
• 4 1/2" tall, parfum with oval shaped body, crystal stopper
• 4 1/4" tall (1 3/4 oz), parfum with crystal stopper
• 4" tall, parfum with crystal stopper
• 3 3/4" tall
• 3 1/4" tall (1 oz) parfum, with crystal stopper
• 3" tall (1/4 oz) 
• 2 5/8" tall (3/7 oz), parfum with crystal stopper
• 2 3/4" tall 

Jeweler's Opera Flacon:

This purse size bottle holds 1/5 oz of Capricci Parfum in a refillable splash bottle. Bottle stands about 2.5"tall. This little clear glass bottle is encased in gold tone metal latticework, its cap is in the shape of a gold tone metal rose. It was packaged along with a tiny gilt metal funnel in a luxurious brown presentation case lined with bronze colored satin. Reference #7286. 

Capricci was also available in eau de toilette concentration in two different bottles, a disk shaped Lalique designed splash flacon that was a standard bottle for other Ricci perfumes (also used for eau de cologne), 

The EDT splash was available in four sizes and the EDT sprays were available in 4 oz luxe atomizer, a 2 oz refillable atomizer and a tall, cylindrical spray Lalique glass bottle with brass trimming, called the "Airomatique Spray"..

Vogue - Volume 146, 1965:

"awn of a new day in spray. ..the Airomatique! An original Lalique flacon with a very special atomizer, created in Paris by Marcel Franck. Just a touch of your finger releases a fine mist of Capricci Eau de Toilette. It's all fragrance. And all in all the most beautiful addition to your boudoir."

Bath and body products were introduced: perfumed soap, perfumed bath foam, perfumed body cream, and perfumed talc.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Despite the high quality of the Nina Ricci perfumes, four fragrances were unsuccessful in the American market (Coeur Joie, Capricci, Farouche and Fleurs de Fleurs), yet, they are successful in Europe. Why? Because most American women prefer stronger fragrances rather than the light, flowery scents enjoyed by European women. Furthermore, European women believe femininity is enhanced by a perfume, and they place more importance on the decorative crystal bottles and packaging than American women do. “ The French image of perfume is very romantic, feminine and sophisticated,” says Lina Vitali, vice president of Parfums Nina Ricci, USA in 1989. “The American perfume’s image is more aggressive, sexual and overpowering.”