Lajea by Lanvin c1923

Launched in 1923, Lajéa by Lanvin emerged during a vibrant and transformative period in the fragrance industry. The early 1920s were characterized by an explosion of new and innovative perfumes as the industry expanded and modernized. This era saw the rise of more sophisticated and complex compositions, reflecting the cultural shifts of the time. As such, Lajéa was part of this broader trend, offering a fragrance that would have appealed to women seeking something fresh and distinct amidst the evolving olfactory landscape.

The choice of the name "Lajéa" is intriguing and multi-layered. "Lajéa" not only references a region in Brazil, but also cleverly incorporates the beginning of "La Jeanne," which ties back to Jeanne Lanvin, the founder of the house. This dual reference serves as both a geographical nod and a personal touch, linking the fragrance to Lanvin’s own legacy while evoking the exotic allure of distant lands.

In terms of its meaning, "Lajéa" is derived from Portuguese, where it refers to a specific region in Brazil. The name conjures images of lush landscapes and a sense of tropical elegance, blending the exotic with the sophisticated. Women of the time would have been drawn to the perfume's name for its evocative imagery and the promise of a scent that was both luxurious and mysterious.

The word "Lajéa" would likely be interpreted in relation to perfume as a symbol of sophistication and a hint of the exotic. It suggests a fragrance that is not just a scent, but an experience—one that transports the wearer to a distant and captivating place. For women in the 1920s, Lajéa would have represented a touch of adventure and an escape from the mundane, perfectly capturing the spirit of the era’s fascination with travel and the exotic.

Overall, Lajéa by Lanvin, created by Madame Marie Zede, was reflective of its time—aligning with trends of the period while also providing a unique and personal touch through its name and composition.

In the vintage advertisements and newspapers from the 1920s, the names of perfumes were sometimes subject to misspelling, reflecting the less meticulous editing processes of the time. A notable example of this phenomenon is found in an ad from 1924, where Lanvin's perfume Lajéa appears as "Lagea."

Such misspellings were not uncommon in the early 20th century, particularly when printing technology and proofing practices were not as advanced as they are today. Errors like this could easily occur due to the manual nature of typesetting and the lack of standardized spelling conventions in advertising materials.

In the context of the 1920s, when advertising was becoming increasingly influential in shaping consumer perceptions, such mistakes might have been overlooked or corrected in subsequent print runs. Despite these occasional inaccuracies, the perfume's intended elegance and allure would have still been conveyed through its presentation and the broader context of Lanvin's brand reputation.

Misspellings like "Lagea" instead of "Lajéa" underscore the charm and occasional unpredictability of vintage advertisements, offering a glimpse into the historical practices of marketing and the challenges faced in maintaining brand consistency in a rapidly evolving industry.

In the 1930 edition of the "Vient de paraître: revue mensuelle des lettres et des arts," a prestigious monthly review dedicated to literature and the arts, a brief but telling mention of Lanvin's perfume offerings appears. The publication highlights several fragrances from the house of Jeanne Lanvin, including Arpège, Crumpled Petals, Lajea, and Cyprus.

The inclusion of Lajea in this listing reflects its role in Lanvin's repertoire of luxury scents during the early 20th century. As with many vintage publications, the mention of Lanvin's perfumes is accompanied by details about the company's prestigious location, notably 4, Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées, Paris. This address emphasizes Lanvin’s position at the heart of Parisian elegance and luxury, a key factor in its brand identity.

Additionally, the review notes that Lanvin perfumes were manufactured at the company's factory in Nanterre. This information underscores the scale and professionalism of Lanvin's operations during this period. The mention of specific fragrances alongside the manufacturing details provides a snapshot of Lanvin’s offerings and production practices, reflecting the brand's commitment to high-quality and sophisticated perfumery.

Such mentions in high-profile publications not only served to inform but also to reinforce Lanvin's standing as a leading name in luxury perfumes, further cementing its reputation in the competitive landscape of early 20th-century fragrance.

Fragrance Composition:

Without specific notes on Lajéa, detailing its precise scent profile is challenging. However, given its classification and the era in which it was launched, we can infer some general characteristics.

Lajéa was released in 1923, a time when floral and chypre fragrances were gaining prominence. The early 20th century saw perfumes characterized by rich, complex blends of natural ingredients, with a focus on luxurious and sophisticated scents. As a floral chypre fragrance, Lajéa would likely feature a blend of opulent floral notes combined with the earthy, woody undertones typical of chypre compositions.

In the absence of exact notes, we might imagine Lajéa as having a bouquet of lush, exotic flowers—possibly including jasmine, rose, and perhaps tuberose or iris—given the popularity of these elements in floral perfumes of the time. The chypre base would likely include classic components such as oakmoss, patchouli, and sandalwood, contributing to a warm, earthy foundation.

The fragrance might also have included fresh, citrusy top notes such as bergamot or lemon to provide an initial burst of brightness. These would be complemented by richer middle notes that develop over time, blending floral and spicy elements to create a multi-layered, evolving scent profile.

Without a sample, this reconstruction remains speculative, but it reflects the typical characteristics of a floral chypre perfume from the early 1920s.

Bottles:

The perfume was housed inside of the Sevres porcelain boule flacons. They were made to order and contained extracts of Lanvin's leading perfumes - Lajea, La Dogaresse, My Sin, Le Chypre, Comme Ci Comme Ca, J'En Raffole and later, the most famous of all, Arpege.

Vogue, 1927:

The "Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres" has made especially for Lanvin three series of perfume bottles in porcelaine de Sèvres, containing Lajea and Dogaresse. One group, a "special edition," is limited to one hundred bottles in light "bleu de Sèvres" and in "amarante," a golden brown. 

Other flacons were used such as the clear Baccarat crystal bottle emblazoned with the Lanvin mother daughter logo on the front. The ad below shows two sizes of the bottle.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Lajea by Lanvin, a fragrance introduced in 1923, was discontinued, likely by 1930. This discontinuation period reflects a common trend in the perfume industry of the time, where fragrances frequently cycled through popularity and obsolescence due to changing tastes and market dynamics.

During the late 1920s, the perfume industry was in a state of flux, influenced by the evolving art deco movement and shifting consumer preferences. Lanvin, renowned for its innovative and sophisticated offerings, might have discontinued Lajea as part of a broader strategy to align its product line with contemporary trends or to make room for new releases that better met the demands of the era.

The specific timing of Lajea's discontinuation suggests that it was phased out during a period of transition, both in the fragrance industry and within Lanvin's own branding efforts. The fact that it was no longer available by 1930 indicates a strategic move to refine the brand’s offerings and focus on fragrances that resonated more strongly with the market. Despite its eventual removal from the lineup, Lajea remains a historical marker of Lanvin’s early 20th-century perfume innovations.