From romantic custom scents to genre-defining relationships with fragrance, the women of Golden Age Hollywood understood the power of perfume. Often viewed as a key element of their refined sensuality, fragrance played a significant role in the lives of many starlets.
Marylin Monroe famously told the press she wore "only a few drops of Chanel No. 5" to bed, forever cementing her connection to the iconic fragrance, despite never officially partnering with the brand. Elizabeth Taylor took it a step further, becoming a fragrance entrepreneur with a world-famous and award-winning collection of 16 scents. Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn had fragrances created especially for them and their daily signature scents remain iconic names in the world of perfume today.
For Grace Kelly, her custom fragrance symbolized a real-life fairytale. "Prince Rainier III would commission the House of Creed to create a perfume to complement her wedding bouquet," Claudia Poccia, CEO of Grace de Monaco, says. "Fleurissimo, an elegant blend of bergamot, tuberose, iris and Bulgarian rose, is forever intertwined with their timeless love story."
Grace Kelly
Audrey Hepburn
Marilyn Monroe
Elizabeth Taylor
Lauren Bacall
These women weren’t just stars on screen; they became enduring icons who continue to influence women worldwide. Whether channeling Monroe’s timeless glamour for a night out or drawing style inspiration from Hepburn’s classic elegance, their legacies remain a treasure trove of beauty tips, tricks and iconic fragrances that still captivate today.
The Most Iconic Perfumes From Hollywood’s Golden Age
