THE SCENT OF EMPIRES. CHANEL 5 AND RED MOSCOW

Discover the fascinating story of two iconic fragrances that became symbols of the 20th century. The book "The Scent of Empires. Chanel 5 and Red Moscow" tells the story of two perfumers, two cultures, and two women whose fates are intertwined with the turbulent events of the past century. Immerse yourself in the world of perfumes, intrigues, and great history.

• Two iconic brands: Chanel and Red Moscow
• History of the 20th century: Told through the prism of perfumes
• Fates of two women: Coco Chanel and Polina Zhemchuzhina-Molotova
• Behind the scenes of fragrance creation: From Tsarist Russia to Stalinist Moscow
• Dramatic twists and turns: Banishment and oblivion
• Author: Karl Schlögel

In 1913, on the occasion of the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty, two French perfumers are working on creating a new fragrance for Tsarina Catherine II. The Russian Revolution forces Ernest Beaux to flee to France, taking the recipe with him. He tries to adapt it to the new conditions, presenting Coco Chanel with ten samples. She chooses sample number five, giving it the name Chanel No 5.

Auguste Michel, remaining in Russia, continues to work on the recipe. In 1925, he creates Red Moscow, which quickly gains popularity. Two years later, Polina Zhemchuzhina-Molotova, the wife of Vyacheslav Molotov, takes over the leadership of the perfume and cosmetics industry in Russia, building a state cosmetic empire.

While Chanel builds her fashion empire, Zhemchuzhina creates a state cosmetic industry. Chanel maintains contacts with European elites, and Zhemchuzhina belongs to Moscow circles. The fates of both women intertwine in a dramatic way, as Chanel succeeds and Zhemchuzhina is banished to a labor camp and dies in oblivion. Karl Schlögel, presenting the history of perfumes, shows the history of two different worlds and cultures, highlighting the decisive moments of the 20th century.

The book "The Scent of Empires. Chanel 5 and Red Moscow" is a fascinating journey through history, culture, and the world of perfumes. Learn about the behind-the-scenes of the creation of two legendary fragrances and discover the dramatic fates of women who influenced their creation. This is a must-read for lovers of history, perfumes, and culture of the 20th century.

Technical data:

Publisher: Słowo / Obraz Terytoria

Year of publication: 2024

Cover: paperback

Number of pages: 312

Format: 151x209 mm