Futur by Robert Piguet c1960

Launched in 1960, Futur by Robert Piguet marked a bold and visionary statement in the world of fragrance. The name "Futur," derived from the French word for "future," encapsulates a sense of forward-thinking and innovation. In choosing this name, Robert Piguet likely sought to evoke a sense of modernity and progress, aligning the perfume with the emerging trends and aspirations of the era. The word "Futur" conjures images of a new horizon, suggesting an avant-garde vision that breaks away from tradition.

The term "Futur" conveys a sense of anticipation and possibility, painting a picture of the future with its promise of new experiences and discoveries. In the context of a fragrance, this name implies a scent that is ahead of its time, blending contemporary elements with an innovative approach. For women of the early 1960s, a perfume named "Futur" would have resonated as a symbol of modern elegance and sophistication, appealing to those who embraced the shifting cultural landscape and sought to reflect this in their personal style.

Created by Aurelien Guichard, Futur is classified as a floral green woody fragrance, embodying a spring-like freshness with its blend of vibrant citruses, romantic florals, and rich woody undertones. The fragrance opens with a burst of fresh citruses, evoking the crisp and invigorating qualities of the new season. This is seamlessly followed by a heart of delicate flowers, adding a touch of romance and softness. The base reveals opulent woody nuances, grounding the fragrance in a sense of sophistication and depth.

In the context of the 1960s, a time characterized by a shift towards more modern and experimental fragrances, Futur was both innovative and reflective of the era's evolving tastes. While the period saw the rise of bold and unconventional scents, Futur distinguished itself with its unique blend of freshness and complexity, capturing the spirit of a time eager to embrace the future while celebrating the enduring beauty of nature.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral green woody fragrance for women. The spring like perfume is described as having a blend of fresh citruses, romantic flowers and opulent woody nuances.

• Top notes: bergamot, orange, neroli, green accord, basil
• Middle notes: violet, Grasse jasmine, ylang ylang, tamarisk
• Base notes: castoreum, ambergris, costus, musk, civet, incense, pine needle, vetiver, patchouli, cedar, oakmoss and sandalwood

Vintage Futur by Robert Piguet captivated the senses with its profound sensuality, largely due to its use of a base formula known as Animalis. Created by Synarome, Animalis is a complex blend designed to impart a distinctive, almost hypnotic depth to fragrances. This base formula includes components such as civet, musk, ambergris, castoreum, and the costus plant. Each ingredient contributes its unique characteristics to the overall scent profile.

Civet, with its animalistic and slightly pungent aroma, provides a raw, primal edge, while musk adds a rich, warm, and musky undertone. Ambergris, a rare and luxurious material, introduces a deep, marine-like quality with a hint of sweetness, offering a smooth and rounded facet. Castoreum contributes a leathery, animalic nuance, and the costus plant imparts a fatty, buttery richness that enhances the perfume's longevity and sensual appeal.

The inclusion of Animalis in vintage Futur bestowed it with a velvety, almost buttery undertone that not only extended the fragrance's wear but also imbued it with a unique, sexual aura. This combination of elements created a scent profile that was both captivating and provocative, making Futur stand out as a perfume that spoke to the deeper, more intimate aspects of allure.

Jean Carles, a renowned perfumer, also utilized Animalis in the creation of two other notable Robert Piguet fragrances: Visa and Baghari. His skillful application of Animalis ensured that these perfumes, like Futur, possessed a sensual and enduring quality, resonating with the same enigmatic charm and sophistication.

L'Art et la mode - Issues 2846-2848, 1968:

"Robert Piguet Futur, last and magnificent creation of perfumes Piguet prelude holidays and multiplies the scents of summer. It detects the unusual smell of tamarisk associated with orange, jasmine, basil. Scent of happy idleness."

Scent Profile:

In the opening moments of Futur, the fragrance bursts forth with a fresh, invigorating symphony of citrus and greenery. Imagine the zesty brightness of bergamot and orange, their tangy, sunlit notes intertwining with the clean, aromatic freshness of neroli. This citrus blend is further enlivened by a green accord, reminiscent of dew-kissed leaves and lush spring foliage. The herbal twist of basil adds a subtle, aromatic edge, grounding the fragrance in its vibrant, natural essence.

As the top notes gently fade, the heart of Futur reveals a romantic bouquet of floral and delicate green elements. The violet introduces a soft, powdery sweetness that evokes a sense of refined elegance. Grasse jasmine follows, its intoxicating, rich floral aroma enveloping you in a wave of opulence. The creamy, exotic scent of ylang ylang adds a touch of sensuality, while tamarisk contributes a whisper of woody, slightly resinous complexity. This heart is a lush, spring-like garden in full bloom, both inviting and enchanting.

In the base, the fragrance deepens into a captivating blend of sensual and earthy tones. Castoreum provides a leathery, animalic undertone, adding depth and warmth to the composition. Ambergris introduces a smooth, marine sweetness that melds seamlessly with the rich, fatty nuances of costus, creating a luxurious, buttery texture. 

Musk and civet bring a primal, sensual quality, while the incense adds a smoky, spiritual dimension. Pine needle imparts a crisp, evergreen freshness, juxtaposed with the earthy, woody facets of vetiver, patchouli, cedar, oakmoss, and sandalwood. This intricate base layer weaves together a tapestry of opulent, enduring scents, leaving a sophisticated and memorable trail.

Fate of the Fragrance:

In the 1950s, the Robert Piguet fragrance line was under the stewardship of the John Robert Powers Products Company. During this period, the branding on bottles and boxes featured both names, reflecting the distribution partnership.

By 1960, Jacqueline Cochran took over as the distributor for Robert Piguet perfumes in the United States. The packaging during her tenure predominantly bore the name "Robert Piguet Parfums," a mark that continued until around 1982.

From 1982 to 1995, the Robert Piguet fragrances were owned by Alfin, also known as Irwin Alfin/Adrien Arpel, Inc. In 1985, Alfin established a subsidiary, Orinter Geneva Switzerland, to manage the Parfums Robert Piguet. This subsidiary held exclusive worldwide rights for the manufacturing, distribution, and licensing of key fragrances such as Fracas, Bandit, Cravache, Baghari, and Musk Blanc. During this time, Alfin expanded the reach of Robert Piguet's fragrances through mass marketing and distribution in upscale department stores.

In 1995, the brand was acquired by Fashion Fragrances and Cosmetics, Ltd. (FF&C). Under FF&C's ownership, Robert Piguet not only reintroduced several classic fragrances but also launched new offerings. Among the revivals was the fragrance Futur, which was reformulated by Aurelien Guichard to closely resemble its original formulation. The updated version was initially released in 2009 and was first available exclusively at Harrods in London. This current iteration of Futur is still featured on the Robert Piguet Parfums website.

2009 Fragrance Composition:

So what does the reformulation smell like? It is classified as a floral green woody fragrance for women.

• Top notes: bergamot, neroli, green accord
• Middle notes: violet, jasmine, ylang ylang
• Base notes: vetiver, patchouli, cedar

Scent Profile:

As you first encounter Futur, the top notes immediately greet you with a vibrant burst of freshness. The bergamot offers a zesty, citrusy sparkle, its bright and tangy aroma lifting the spirits with a burst of sunny optimism. This is soon complemented by the crisp, green accord, which infuses the fragrance with a sense of lush, dewy foliage, reminiscent of a verdant garden after a spring rain. Neroli adds a touch of elegance with its delicate, honeyed floral notes, seamlessly blending with the citrus and green facets to create an invigorating and refreshing introduction.

As the scent evolves, the heart reveals a bouquet of lush, romantic flowers. Violet adds a velvety softness, its sweet and powdery aroma evoking a sense of nostalgia and refinement. Jasmine unfolds next, its heady, intoxicating scent weaving through the composition with an opulent and sensual allure, reminiscent of a moonlit garden in full bloom. Ylang ylang introduces a rich, exotic sweetness, its creamy, floral notes adding depth and complexity to the fragrance’s heart, creating a harmonious and captivating floral symphony.

In the dry down, the base notes offer a grounding, woody richness that anchors the fragrance. Vetiver provides a smoky, earthy undertone, its complex aroma evoking images of sun-drenched forests and deep, aromatic roots. Patchouli brings a spicy, slightly sweet earthiness, its warm, balsamic scent adding an exotic, sensual edge. Finally, cedar imparts a clean, woody richness, its dry, resinous quality evoking the tranquil scent of ancient woods, and lending the fragrance a lasting, sophisticated finish. Together, these base notes create a beautifully balanced, enduring scent that lingers with a refined and contemplative elegance.

Bottle:

Futur is presented in its iconic black flacon, reflecting the fragrance's sophisticated allure. The bottle's deep, opaque hue exudes a sense of timeless elegance and mystery. Available in 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum (EDP) sizes, as well as a more concentrated 30 ml parfum, the flacon is designed with clean lines and a sleek silhouette that emphasizes its classic yet modern appeal. The black glass not only highlights the opulence of the fragrance but also serves as a striking contrast to the radiant liquid within, encapsulating the essence of Futur with both style and substance.