Chimère by Prince Matchabelli, launched in 1979, emerged during a period rich with evolving trends in the perfume industry. The late 1970s were marked by a resurgence of interest in classic and sophisticated fragrances, with a growing appreciation for complex, multi-layered compositions. The choice of the name "Chimère" reflects the era’s fascination with mythology and the allure of the exotic, evoking a sense of mystery and fantasy.
The term "Chimère" is derived from French, and translates to "chimera" in English. In mythology, a chimera is a creature composed of parts from different animals, symbolizing the blending of disparate elements into a single, fantastical entity. This name evokes images of mythical grandeur and enigmatic beauty, suggesting a fragrance that combines various elements to create something unique and captivating. The word “Chimère” conjures feelings of mystique and allure, suggesting a scent that is both intriguing and sophisticated, with a sense of fantasy and otherworldliness.
For women of the late 1970s, the name "Chimère" would have resonated with the era's embrace of both classic elegance and adventurous innovation. The fragrance’s profile—beginning with a bright aldehydic top note, progressing into a rich, narcotic floral heart, and resting on a warm, woody, and mossy base—mirrored the decade’s preference for complex, well-rounded scents. This fragrance was in line with the period’s trend towards rich, multifaceted compositions, yet its specific blend of floral and woody elements with a hint of mysterious spices set it apart.
The choice of "Chimère" as a name aligns with the broader trend of the time, where perfumes were increasingly marketed not just as scents, but as experiences that evoke specific moods and imagery. The name and the fragrance’s description as a "semi-oriental, a brilliant floral blend of roses, jasmine, gardenia, and lily of the valley touched with a subtle splurge of mysterious spices and darker notes" fit well within the era’s interest in luxurious and intriguing fragrances that offered a sensory escape from everyday life. Thus, Chimère captured the essence of the time, embodying both the classic and the contemporary, and appealing to those who sought both elegance and a touch of the exotic in their scent.
