Rare Perfumes from the Russian Court

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 44, 22 February 1936, Page 14

Rare Perfumes from the Russian Court

Ever since the Red Army swept through Russia, we have been hearing stories about the sorrows of the Royalist aristocrats, with squalor superseding splendour, and all the luxury of the Czar’s time being annihilated in a few dramatic days. But surely, states the Sydney Morning Herald, there is none more picturesque and captivating than that of the Prince and Princess Youssoupoff, whoso wedding was the last lavish ceremony that the Czar’s palace saw r . Now Prince and Princess Youssoupoff have almost forgotten that they were the darlings of the Court, and can be found in London’s West End supervising a business that is patronised by the Duchess of York, the Duchess of Kent, and most of the smart women of Mayfair. Prince and Princess Yousoupoff are not paupers, like so many Russian Royalists, because when the revolution actually occurred they were in Berlin, and, through great good luck, they managed to escape disguised as servants. And that is why tho Pellegrina pearl, said to be the size of a pigeon’s egg, and the “sister” of one owned by Cleopatra, and a black pearl necklace that has been insured for a fabulous sum, still belong to the Youssoupoffs. When they began to live in England and Paris some years ago new friends discovered that the’ Princess was using a perfume that was obviously rare and most desirable. The began asking liei about it, hinting that they would like to be able to buy phials of it. Then tho Prince and Princess would explain that this perfume and its formula had been in the possession of their family for countless years, and, because of a curious Russian custom, they coulc only give it to relatives. But gradually they began to realisi that the pomp and tradition of th< Czar’s Court had given way to a mod ern world which has no time for hide bound traditions. Tho Prince began distilling small quantities of Youssou poff perfumes—one for blondes, one foi brunettes —and presenting it to theii friends.