Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
Opium, created by Jean-Louis Sieuzac, was launched as a part of Yves Saint Laurent’s Autumn–Winter 1977 collection. The collection itself was heavily inspired by China, which you can see in the name of the perfume.
The name gained controversy, particularly in the United States, due to its reference to the addictive drug. This contributed to the perfume’s spotlight. Pierre Dinand created the perfume’s bottle, which was inspired by traditional Japanese inro boxes that often were used to carry opium. Additionally, the marketing campaign featuring model Jerry Hall photographed by Helmut Newton helped make Opium an iconic perfume.
Opium’s found commercial success. In the first year, the fragrance generated $30 million in sales in Europe alone.
The fragrance is a combination of warm, spicy, and sweet. The top notes contain aldehydes, tangerine, and coriander; the heart notes contain myrrh, jasmine, and rose; and the base notes contain vanilla, patchouli, and sandalwood.