Stradivari by Prince Matchabelli (1942)

Stradivari by Prince Matchabelli was launched in 1942, at a moment of profound global upheaval. As World War II raged on, American life had been reshaped by rationing, military drafts, and shifting domestic roles. Amid this atmosphere, the release of a new perfume carried a particular emotional resonance—especially one as richly romantic and evocative as Stradivari. It was the first new perfume Matchabelli introduced since the outbreak of the war, and it offered not only fragrance, but fantasy and escape. Women of the time—whether working in factories, volunteering for the Red Cross, or maintaining the home front—could find in Stradivari a small but soul-stirring luxury, a poetic whisper of beauty in uncertain times.

The name Stradivari is Italian, pronounced "Strad-ah-VAH-ree", and it immediately conjures one of the most hallowed legacies in classical music. Named in homage to the famed luthier Antonio Stradivari—whose violins and cellos are revered for their exquisite craftsmanship and soul-stirring tone—the perfume nods to this artistry in scent form. It also takes inspiration from the Prince Matchabelli Orchestra, formed the same year the fragrance was launched, further anchoring it in the brand’s romantic alignment with music and the arts. To wear Stradivari was to don an invisible symphony—one composed not in strings, but in scent.

The fragrance is classified as a semi-oriental floral, with prominent woody and spicy notes over a mossy base. In perfumery, the term "semi-oriental" during this period often indicated a chypre-adjacent structure—dry and elegant, but laced with warmth and sensuality. Stradivari opens with a flourish of heady florals and soft spice, slowly developing into a woodier, duskier base with a slightly exotic, lingering finish. It was described as “rich, lasting, destined for the woman of deep emotion”—a statement that placed it squarely in the lineage of expressive, personality-driven scents, as opposed to light, fleeting florals.

Royal Gardenia by Prince Matchabelli c1927

Launched in 1927, Royal Gardenia by Prince Matchabelli arrived during a moment of glittering optimism and refined indulgence. The name itself, Royal Gardenia, evokes immediate associations with luxury, elegance, and floral grandeur. “Royal” suggests regality, exclusivity, and something elevated beyond the everyday—a fragrance fit for a queen or princess. “Gardenia” refers to the lush, white-petaled blossom prized for its intoxicating scent. Together, the phrase “Royal Gardenia” rolls off the tongue with a soft, melodic rhythm, conjuring images of moonlit terraces, polished silver trays, and silk evening gowns trailing through blooming gardens.

Prince Matchabelli, a Georgian nobleman and former diplomat of the Russian Empire, built his perfume house on the idea of nobility—both in name and in scent. Naming this particular perfume Royal Gardenia aligned beautifully with his brand’s identity, linking his aristocratic heritage with the luxurious floral fantasy of perfumery. The gardenia flower itself had long been associated with femininity, romance, and sensuality, and by the 1920s, it had become a symbol of high fashion—popular in corsages, pinned to fur wraps, and even worn by leading Hollywood actresses. Associating this blossom with the term “royal” not only elevated the scent but also framed it as a statement of impeccable taste and stature.

The perfume was introduced during the Jazz Age—an era of dazzling nightlife, newfound freedoms for women, and glamorous self-expression. The world was dancing in the wake of World War I, and women were redefining themselves through fashion, behavior, and fragrance. Shorter hemlines, bobbed hair, and a departure from corsetry gave rise to the modern woman. In perfumery, this was the age of bold, assertive scents—florals, aldehydes, orientals—meant to leave an impression in smoky jazz clubs and Art Deco drawing rooms. The fragrance market was flourishing, and floral perfumes were at the forefront, often exaggerated in sweetness and sillage to suit the energy of the time.