What perfumes did the divas of the past use? From Marlene Dietrich to Brigitte Bardot to Jane Birkin

Some people love to switch perfumes depending on their mood, the season, or simply because they enjoy variety. Others, instead, stay loyal to a single fragrance, the one that perfectly represents them, so much so that they can be recognized from afar just by the scent they leave behind. Among them, many legendary divas of the past, who wore the same iconic perfume for years. Here they are!

Marlene Dietrich – Lieber Gustav 14 by Krigler

Elegant, nostalgic, and refined, Liebe Gustav 14 by Krigler was one of Marlene Dietrich's favorite perfumes. Created in 1910, it evokes the sweetness of love letters and the depth of emotion. With notes of lavender, violet, leather, and vanilla, it’s an intimate and theatrical scent, perfect for such an enigmatic and sophisticated woman.

Elizabeth Taylor – Bal à Versailles by Jean Desprez

Elizabeth Taylor adored Bal à Versailles by Jean Desprez, a rich and opulent perfume with oriental notes of spices, woods, and flowers. This scent evokes luxury, charm, and timeless elegance. Elizabeth was also one of the first Hollywood stars to launch her own fragrance line, revolutionizing how celebrities connect with the perfume world. In 1987, she introduced White Diamonds, a fragrance that quickly became a classic and one of the best-selling perfumes of all time.

Marilyn Monroe – Chanel No.5

When Marilyn Monroe said: "I wear only a few drops of Chanel No.5 to bed," she turned this perfume into a true icon. Created in 1921, it features fresh top notes of bergamot and neroli, a heart of rose and jasmine, and a warm base of vanilla and musk. Chanel No.5 is the essence of elegance and femininity, just like Marilyn herself.

Aretha Franklin – Bijan by Bijan

Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, loved Bijan by Bijan. It opens with fresh and fruity notes like bergamot and lemon. Its heart reveals delicate flowers such as jasmine and rose, while the base is warm and intense, with musk, amber, and cedarwood.

Audrey Hepburn – L'Interdit by Givenchy

Audrey Hepburn was the muse behind L’Interdit, created especially for her in 1957 by Hubert de Givenchy. This perfume blends delicate floral notes like rose and jasmine with a deeper base of woods and musk. The name means “forbidden,” because Audrey initially didn’t want it to be sold. But in the end, it became one of the most beloved fragrances ever.

Jackie Kennedy – Joy by Jean Patou

Jackie Kennedy wore Joy by Jean Patou, known as one of the most expensive perfumes of its time. It took over 10,000 jasmine flowers and 28 dozen roses to produce just 30 ml of the essence. The top notes include Bulgarian rose, ylang-ylang, and tuberose, followed by a heart of jasmine and May rose, with a warm base of musk and sandalwood.

Brigitte Bardot – Jicky by Guerlain

Brigitte Bardot wore Jicky by Guerlain, one of the oldest and most iconic perfumes in history. Created in 1889, Jicky is bold and sophisticated, with a unique blend of citrus, rosemary, lavender, vanilla, and spices. Behind its name and spirit lies the story of a woman Aimé Guerlain loved during his studies in England, whose memory inspired this unforgettable fragrance. Just like Brigitte, Jicky represents a free and playful elegance.

Jane Birkin – Shalimar by Guerlain

The perfume loved by Jane Birkin was Shalimar by Guerlain. Born in 1925, Shalimar is an oriental fragrance with notes of bergamot, iris, vanilla, and incense. “It embodies intoxicating femininity with a hint of the forbidden,” as the Maison describes it. A scent that blends sensuality and mystery with freshness and sweetness.

Lady Diana – First by Van Cleef & Arpels

Lady Diana loved many perfumes, but the one she was most attached to was First by Van Cleef & Arpels, launched in the 1970s. It opens with fresh top notes of bergamot and green apple, a floral heart of jasmine, rose, and lily of the valley, and a warm base of musk, sandalwood, and amber. After her passing, it’s said that her son Harry would smell this perfume to feel her presence and keep her memory alive.