Tornade by Revillon c1935

Tornade by Revillon: launched in 1935. Tornade retailed for $12.50 per ounce in 1936.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It was a heavy, warm oriental fragrance for women with a blend of precious woods and opulent animalic notes.

• Top notes: bergamot
• Middle notes: rose, jasmine, orange blossom
• Base notes: Mysore sandalwood, musk, civet, ambergris, benzoin

Stage, 1935:

"Also — there is Revillon Freres' new perfume — they're the fur people, and they ought to know. The perfume is called Latitude 50 (that's the latitude of Paris) and comes in a tall, skyscraper shaped bottle. They make Tornade, too — another fur perfume."

Marie-Claire, 1937:

"Tornade de Revillon: Warm and moving. An aftertaste of incense gives it mystery."

Adam, 1937:

"Besides, isn't Revillon presenting its Tornade perfume in America as the perfume for the skin of a divorcee and accompanying it with a "sex appeal" comment? If you come back from Reno (it's the American city specializing in divorces), the perfume you need is Tornade, a Revillon perfume for the skin. This luxurious essence for jaded people and an ingenious bouquet of precious wood oil, a powerful smell of the jungle contained in the extract of sable glands. Put some, not on your handkerchief or your dress, but put some touches on six places of your skin. Then go to a cocktail and may Allah protect you."

L'Amour de l'art, 1950:

"Tornade by Revillon: As in a whirlwind, this perfume dominates you and leads you into an exhilarating farandole. Then it evokes, as it subsides, the smell of flint and warm humidity which, after the storm, rises from the impregnated and satisfied earth."

 

 

Esquire - Volume 7, 1937:

"FOR, almost a century women loved by the men of Revillon awaited breathlessly for the annual shipment of raw sables from Tibet. It was not only for the gossamer-soft brown fur of queens they waited. It was for a small, hide-bound flask of perfume that was always found hidden away in the heart of each bale of sable skins. The annual gift of a Tibetan tribe to the house of Revillon, this flask contained a rare and enchanted perfume that went to the heads of men like wine; a scent so subtle, so alluring, that women of royal blood coaxed for even a few drops of the of the precious fragrance. 

Time and again, the Revillons tried to acquire the formula, but each offer was met with polite refusal. The scent of princesses was not for sale. And so, this strange and fascinating redolence remained one of the mysteries of the east until several years ago, a young Revillon entered the frm of his fathers.  

Like every Revillon who goes into this business, he was forced to serve his two-year apprenticeship in the far-flung outposts of the company. How, during his visit to Tibet, he saved the life of a chieftain's son is another story, glamorous as any tale of the cinema.  But it is your good fortune that his reward for this service was the gift of the formula for making the Tibetan perfume which his family had sought for a century. 

Hormones from the glands of sable lend subtle charm to these perfumes for the skin. 

Now imprisoned in lovely flacons of flashing crystal are four perfumes that bear the stamp of Revillon. Tornade, Latitude 50, Egoiste, Amou Daria. Unlike ordinary perfumes, these Parfums Revillon are not applied to the outer garments but are placed directly on the person. When they are correctly used, as they are now in Paris, they are interpreted differently by every woman who wears them.

Then they become not merely a scent to be put on and off with every gown, but an enchantment of the very being of the individual, until the body itself gives off its own glorious perfume like an exotic flower.   

Today, these perfumes may be yours if you can afford them. Frankly their cost is high because their ingredients are extremely rare and costly. Since our supply is limited we in turn are forced to limit their sale to fifty stores in the entire united States. 

If you are unable to purchase Parfums Revillon for the skin we will undertake to supply you by air mail, postpaid. We cannot guarantee prices after January  1, 1937, since our costs are dependent upon the world catch of sables. Parfums Revillon 684 Fifth Avenue, new York, NY. 

If you want to be thought extremely generous by some very attractive lady, we suggest you send her the 5 ounce bottle of Tornade for $60. 

 Prices by the ounce: Amou Daria, $12.50; Tornade, $12.50; Latitude 50, $14.50; Egoiste (in 3 ounce bottles only), $30."

Esquire, 1937:

"Tornade...a Divorcee's Parfum for the Skin. If you are just back from Reno, the perfume propre is Tornade, another Revillon parfum for the skin. This wicked essence of sophistication is a cunning bouquet of precious wood oils, a jungle redolence imprisoned in an extract from the glands of sables. Apply it, not to your hanky or gown, but touch it sparingly to six places on your skin. Then off to cocktails and may Allah protect you!"

 

The New Yorker, 1947:

"Made, bottled, sealed entirely in France. Revillon perfumes are again being imported into the United Slates in limited quantities. PARFUMS REVILLON PARIS - CARNET DE BAL - LATITUDE 50 - TORNADE  - AMOU DARIA."

Cue, 1949:

"Things Parisian have  strong fascination for Americans and the real connoisseurs are enthusiastic now that the French perfumes have been coming in again in greater abundance. Back with us in quantity is Carnet de Bal, along with those other wonderful Revillon fragrances — Tornade, Latitude 50. Amou Daria and Eau Marveilleuse. Revillon perfumes are made, bottled and sealed in France, which should make the perfectionists even happier."

Fodor's France, 1951:

"Revillon, 42, Rue la Boetie. "Amou Daria" — good with furs ; "Carnet de Bal" — nostalgic ; "Latitude 50" — for brunettes or blondes ; "Tornade"— heavy."

Bottles:

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in the 1950s.