Le 1940 Rouge de Chanel
“Le 1940 Rouge de Chanel by Chanel is a Floral Aldehyde fragrance for women”
The Quick Read
Warmly received so far — a rose, fresh spicy composition with a aromatic undertone. Voted best for summer and winter wear, leaning feminine.
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Launched in 1931 by Chanel and crafted by Ernest Beaux, Le 1940 Rouge de Chanel is a Floral Aldehyde fragrance that epitomizes the elegance and innovation of Coco Chanel herself. The composition opens with aldehydes and geranium, creating an immediate sense of crisp freshness before diving into the heart of rose and violet, which add layers of sweetness and depth. The base notes of amber and Java vetiver oil provide a warm, powdery finish that lingers on the skin. This fragrance is not just a scent but a piece of history, embodying the bold yet refined spirit of its time.
Composition & Character
How It Wears
Application Tips
One or two sprays are sufficient to capture the essence of this fragrance. The aldehydic top notes fade quickly, making it important to layer with the powdery base notes that emerge after an hour. Best worn in cooler weather when its warmth is most appreciated.
Ernest Beaux
Founding perfumer · 18 fragrances · b. 1881 · French
“I presented Mademoiselle Chanel with samples numbered one through five, and twenty through twenty-four. She chose number five.”
Ernest Beaux is the perfumer who changed everything. Born in Moscow to a Franco-Russian family, he served as an officer in World War I before entering the laboratories of A. Rallet & Co. in Grasse. In 1921, he presented Coco Chanel with a series of experimental samples — and sample number five became Chanel No. 5, arguably the most famous fragrance ever created. By boldly incorporating synthetic aldehydes into a floral bouquet, Beaux shattered the conventions of natural perfumery and ushered in the modern age. His legacy is not merely a fragrance but an entirely new way of thinking about scent.
Also created
About the Brand
Chanel
The epitome of French elegance and timeless sophistication
Founded by Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel, the house has defined luxury perfumery through restraint, precision, and abstract elegance. From the revolutionary No. 5 to modern classics like Bleu de Chanel, Chanel fragrances are known for their refined, wearable luxury.
Designer Chanel
More from Chanel
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
The quiet sophistication of a Parisian salon in the early 20th century, where aldehydic freshness meets the subtle complexity of rose and violet.
Fig. 01 — Le 1940 Rouge de Chanel, Chanel
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