Launched in 1948, L’Air du Temps was created by perfumer Francais Fabron for Nina Ricci. The fragrance is contained within a very unusual bottle design as it has become the distinctive dove bottle. The perfume first launched onto the market during 1951.

The fragrance has been reproduced into body lotion, shower gel, talc and various other toiletries. The fragrance itself has existed within various configurations and packaging, however its original design was the work of Jean Rebull who was ahead of his time with the single dove designed bottle. The dove bottle was later changed into what we all see today as the famous double dove branding. Robert Ricci (Nina’s son), along with his best friend Marc Lalique, modified the single dove design a few years later to the current double dove bottle. Other bottles of this famous fragrance were produced by Brosse, however, the special dove bottles were produced by Lalique.

The L’Air du Temps scent has been cited as an excellent example of a fragrance that has been built on what is known as the “pyramid” structure, which is associated with Roure perfumer-teacher, Jean Carles. The basis of Jean Carles’ teachings is to keep the base scent low, which means using lower volatility materials and then provide the scent with a “heart” which themes the perfume with the finish of a lingering top note.

L’Air du Temps’ top note is a slight and quick smell of bergamot and gardenia with a peppered carnation heart, followed by rose, jasmine, orris, ylang-ylang with a base note that lingers solidly.