I grew up spending countless hours watching as iconic actors like Greta Garbot, Lucille Ball, and Dorothy Dandridge graced my television screen and falling in love with the real life fairytales of royalty. Through careful study, I identified everything from their favorite lipstick shades (thank you Max Factor archives) to how they created effortless waves without having to rely on a curling iron. But there was one thing I never knew for sure: their favorite fragrances. Wondering what your favorite Old Hollywood starlets and royals wore for their iconic red carpet appearances, weddings, public debuts, and photo shoots? I was, too, before I reached out to perfumer Ben Krigler, the fifth-generation owner of fragrance house Krigler, for a hint as to who wore what.
With its famous clientele and generations of famous fragrances (the perfume house was founded in 1904), it’s easy to understand why so many celebrities gravitated toward the brand. Believe it or not, many of Krigler’s fragrances that were worn by the world’s most famous individuals are still available for purchase today. That’s right—you can smell just like Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and Lauren Bacall. Read on to discover which iconic fragrances you can still get your hands on.
Key notes: violet leaves, bergamot, Bulgarian rose, ylang-ylang, Florentine iris. This delicate blend of bergamot, Bulgarian rose, Florentine iris and amber was worn by Grace Kelly as she wed Monaco’s Prince Rainier III.
Key notes: almond, lily of the valley, mimosa, musk, rose, violet. This distinctly lavish perfume is the perfect floral, fruity, and sultry fragrance that’s fit for royalty (especially if you have plans to shift from Hollywood to monarchy).
Key notes: amber, musk, patchouli, red fruits, vanilla. According to Krigler, the incredibly warm and enchanting perfume was bought in the Plaza Hotel by Kennedy Onassis following her engagement to Aristotle Onassis.
Key notes: black tea, geranium, leather notes, sandalwood, tonka bean. Marlene Dietrich was such a big fan of this classic fragrance by Krigler that she offered it to Cary Grant while they were working together on set.
Key notes: orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine, patchouli, vetiver. L’Interdit was created and gifted by Givenchy to Audrey Hepburn in 1954. She wore it for a year before it was marketed and released to the public.
Key notes: grapefruit, jasmine, neroli, orange blossom, white musk. Inspired by the Italian Riviera and famously worn by Hepburn, this gorgeous blend of grapefruit, jasmine, and neroli is the epitome of elegance.
Key notes: Iris, tonka beans, violet, rose, carnation, bergamot. Launched by Guerlain in 1912, this legendary fragrance is inspired by the time between sundown and nightfall and offers an aromatic bouquet of florals with hints of vanilla.
Key notes: Bulgarian rose, bergamot, mandarin, black currant buds. Floral and green, this eau de parfum combines fresh rose and green notes of black currant buds to create Bacall’s signature fragrance.
Key notes: jasmine, neroli, sandalwood, aldehydes. Monroe was often pictured with a bottle of this iconic fragrance: a floral and sensual blend of jasmine, sandalwood, and bourbon vanilla.
