Wild, Foxy and Lover Boy: Avon Fragrances of 1980

The Avon fragrances introduced in 1980 seemed to reflect casual outdoor fun during the day and intimacy after a night on the town. There were 7 Avon colognes introduced in 1980, 4 for the ladies and 2 for gentlemen.  Around Christmastime, Avon introduced the first ever cologne for young men called Rookie.  The cute model for this cologne was none other than Adam Rich, an adorable young star of ABC TV’s popular “Eight is Enough”

The first cologne introduced by Avon in 1980 was from Campaign 2 called ‘Lover Boy’.  This cologne was fashioned for the casual, fun-loving and mischievous men of any age.

"Isn’t every man really a LOVER BOY at heart? The fragrance as irresistible as he is."

‘Sportif’ was introduced in the Campaign 5 brochure for women of a daytime casual flair.  

"It’s the name of the game. Soft, but sure. Crisp and colorful. The signature scent for the woman on the move."

In the Campaign 13 brochure, Avon introduced the summertime scent for women called ‘Country Breeze’

"All the smiles of a summer’s day in one irrepressible scent."    

What was new with this introduction was that Avon also included powder, drawer lining and sachet in the line of products.

 And now we get to the good stuff - wild and foxy colognes for women

‘Wild Jasmine’ was introduced in the Campaign 17 1980 brochure and advertised as “a love story in a fragrance.” 

Sort of grabs you like an exotic romance paperback novel…………but, with class.  Doesn’t it?

Then, just as the nights start to cool down, Avon’s Campaign 22 brochure of 1980 brings us 

 ‘Foxfire’

"Fragrance that reveals itself as a soft subtle glow, incredibly intimate, totally irresistible; he’ll cherish every moment you wear it."

Yes!

Now, it’s the men’s turn to light up the fire.  In the Campaign 23 1980 brochure, Avon introduces a new fragrance for men called ‘Black Suede’

"He many never wear anything else again"

"A clean, lean scent with a sure sense of masculinity about it!"

And now for the first ever Avon cologne for Boys

'Rookie'

"Rookie's a hit with me"

From Avon’s Campaign 1980 25, Adam Rich, adorable young star of ABC TV’s popular “Eight is Enough”  Adam played Nicholas Bradford, the youngest son on the television series that ran for five seasons (1977-1981)

Visit CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles on eCrater for other vintage Avon colognes and after shaves

Wild Jasmine is still available

1981 Coming Up!

 All pictures were taken by me of advertisements in my Avon brochures

Avon Fragrances of the 1970s: Dreams to Love Stories

For me, the 1970s was sort of a transition period between the laid back, hazy 60s to the energetic, on the move 80s.  1980 was the start of a new decade and, for some, a new beginning.  Disco music was filling the dance clubs bringing with it glitz and glamour in clothing, make-up and jewelry.  Both men and women dressed to be seen.  There was a new energy.  The disco era was one of my favorite times for style, music and fun.  Let’s look back on the 1970s and the popular fragrances that were introduced leading up to the 1980s.

Avon always kept up with the new trends and changes….in a very stylish and sophisticated way for women everywhere.  Their products were affordable and made you feel a little more special.   I love reading their brochures – the beautiful advertisements and their use of the English language describing their products.

Their first brochure of 1980 showed some of their popular fragrances that were introduced in the 1970s – Candid, Emprise, Timeless, Unspoken, Ariane and their new fragrance introduced in their Campaign 23 1979 brochure, Tasha. The introduction of Tasha filled 2 whole pages

Tasha is described as “In praise of dreams, desires and fantasies” and “The newest most desirable ultra fragrance ever dreamed of.”  With the flowing long sheer dress and scarf, it just makes you want to purchase this brand new Avon fragrance, not to mention the beautiful glass decanters and decorated boxes – simply beautiful. 

By the Campaign 7 1980 brochure, the advertising phrase was slightly changed to “Inspires dreams, desires and fantasies”   

Some of the other fragrances introduced in the 1970s with their descriptive phrase: 

Timeless 1974 “Enduring…for all your timeless tomorrows”  /  “As classic as the American woman”

Unspoken  1975  “Too marvelous for words”

Emprise  1976  “Into a world not easily impressed”

Candid  1977  “Because today being beautiful is being yourself”

Ariane  1977  “All the things a woman has the right to be”

Tempo  1978  “Live in it;  Laugh in it  Love in it”

For the Campaign 11 in 1979, there were several Men's colognes and after shaves introduced for Father's Day - Brisk Spice  (it's naturally zesty), Light Musk (it's naturally mellow) and Cool Sage (it's naturally bracing).

 

Campaign 16 in 1979, Avon introduced Weekend for men as the first casual scent for men - clean, fresh and spirited.  

A fun place to check out is the Avon Fragrance historical commercial reel on the Hagley Digital Archives site.  There are commercials on about 14 Avon fragrances like Timeless and Unspoken.  It's a large database, so you'll have to do some searching and refining, but it is so cool to hear some of those vintage commercials.      

I do have some of these fragrances from the 70s available – Timeless, Candid. Tempo, the dreamy Tasha and romantic Wild Jasmine (paperback not included).  You can purchase at CAROLINABLUELADYVintage Collectibles

Looking forward to checking out the 1980s!

 All pictures were taken by me of advertisements in my Avon brochures

Fragrances of Avon and Billy Dee Williams

I was just listing some vintage Avon jewelry in one of my online stores and had to pull my vintage 1985 and 1986 Avon brochures to check for accurate descriptions of the items.  I have always been fascinated with the Avon company - the marketing is fabulous.  The brochures usually came out every two or three weeks and there were always a few new items or specialty items that drew your attention whether it was jewelry, fragrances, gift items or seasonal decor items.  Needless to say, I have had to go through the brochures many times in researching all of the Avon products that my mother had purchased.

I don't know how many fragrances Avon has come up with over the years. Since fragrances were the  beginning of Avon back in 1886 (they were originally known as the California Perfume Company), I'm sure there are probably over 200 fragrances including discontinued or name changes.

My first Avon cologne that I purchased as an adult was Moonwind first introduced back in 1971.  Not only did I love the fragrance but I also thought the packaging was really pretty - the dark blue containers with silver trimming. Avon always came up with a 'personality' slogan for their fragrances as part of their marketing.

Moonwind - evokes the mystery of night; 
richly romantic; haunting; bewitching







Imari - a fragrance to fire the imagination







Timeless - enduringly beautiful fragrance for today and for all your tomorrows







Sweet Honesty - a young, light-hearted fragrance

Candid - sheer, light, long-lasting, understated being beautiful is being yourself

And, how could we ever forget the good-looking man,

Billy Dee Williams 

Undeniable

the fragrance for women inspired by Billy Dee Williams

Some Avon vintage colognes available at:

CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles 

Pictures are from my Avon brochures

Avon's 1876 Cape Cod Collection Dinnerware

Avon isn't just about fragrances and cosmetics.  During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Avon started expanding their product line starting with jewelry and then collectibles.  In 1975, Avon introduced a new dinnerware line called 1876 Cape Cod Collection.  A rich ruby-red color coupled with a design reminiscent of the old 'Sandwich Glass' produced by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Works founded in Cape Cod in 1825.  The pattern was said to be inspired by the classic Roman Rosette pattern.  The designs and glass production were awarded to the Wheaton Glass Company of Millville, NJ.  Avon had to approve all the mold drawings before the production began.

 Here is just a sampling of pieces I have for sale at:
CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles  on eBay
CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles on eCrater

The 1876 Cape Cod Collection was produced from 1975 through 1993 and 37 different pieces were made.Such a beautiful design and gorgeous ruby-red color.

Our National Motto - God and America

The following article was taken from the 1980 Farmers' Almanac, compliments of Avon.  It is an article written by Mary Accles in the Liguorian Magazine, a  Catholic magazine.  I am not sure when this article was written, but was probably just after the Supreme Court's ruling banning the word "God" from prayer in public schools.

OUR NATIONAL MOTTO

In God We Trust, originating during the Civil War as an inscription for United States coins, was first contemplated by the Reverend M. R. Watkinson of Ridleyville, Pennsylvania, a deeply concerned churchman who in 1861 wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase.

The letter read:  "From my heart I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters."  The clergyman then suggested "recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins."

Secretary Chase, in complete accord, ordered designs prepared with the inscription "In God We Trust."  It first appeared on some U.S. coins in 1864, then appeared and disappeared until 1955, when Congress ordered it placed on all paper money and coins.

In 1956 "In God We Trust" was designated as the United States national motto and was signed into law during the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower.

There are those who would exclude God entirely from the American way of life even though dependence on God was first permanently established by our Founding Fathers in the preparation of the Constitution.  Such permanence has been affirmed and reaffirmed in the context of assertions by many of our greatest statesmen, churchmen, authors and poets. 

We have the undeniable and indisputable claim that America is the only country in the world founded with an implicit faith in God.  The last sentence of the Declaration of Independence states:  "And for the support of this Declaration with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." 

In view of the Supreme Court's ruling banning the word "God" from prayer recitations in public schools, it's comforting to know "In God We Trust" continues as our national motto.

We shall continue to affirm our unqualified reliance on God and joyously acclaim, "In God We Trust."

-----Mary Accles

Liguorian Magazine

The Farmers' Almanac 1980

One thing that can slow me down is reading the stuff that I am trying to list like this Avon Farmer' Almanac Thermometer from 1979.  It is actually a thermometer and includes two Gentlemen's Blend fragranced soaps.  Pretty cool!  But the coolest thing that comes with it is the 1980 Farmers' Almanac compliments of Avon.  It's a good thing it is not very thick because I just couldn't stop reading it.  The pamplet is sort of stained, but there are no marks and is very readable.

On the back, there were instructions on how to apply fragrances. Did you know there are three phases of fragrance?  Your skin type also has some bearing on the types of fragrances that would best suit you.  Just really some cool information. 

There is also the 1980 planting and garden calendar which you would expect in the Farmers' Almanac.  One of the funniest things I came across was the Favorite Tombstone inscription.  It said,

"1787 - JONES - 1855 

Here lies the bones of Sophie Jones.  For her, death held no terrors.  She was born a maid and died a maid.  No hits, No runs, No errors."

Well, I thought it was funny.  Interesting statistics and political opinions.  I really don't want to talk politics in my blog, but I just found this interesting considering today's political climate.  It is called:

 Who Profits Most From Profits

"About seventy five years ago a good many men were going into the business of making automobiles - not to benefit humanity but to make money for themselves.  'Terrible', the reformers said.  Most of these men lost every cent they had, a few made some money.  A very few made millions, became extremely rich, built up huge corporations out of profits.  'Terrible', the reformers said.  Those huge corporations and the companies they help support, provide more than 14 million jobs in America today, jobs for workers who are among the highest paid in the world.  Those 14,000,000 jobs would never exist if it had not been possible to make and keep profits in the past.  Profits like that cannot be made today and, even if made, could not be kept.  The reformers have had their way.  But the millions of jobs we'll need tomorrow are not being born.  That's a terrible price for 'reform' that your children will have to pay."

This was written 32 or 33 years ago, but it could have been written yesterday.  I did finally get this listed.  You can find the Avon Farmers' Almanac Thermometer at CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles.  The Almanac is included. 

There is also an article about Our National Motto.  Do you know what our national motto is?  Check back tomorrow. 

Free-Spirited Costume Jewelry

I have always like costume jewelry.  It's fun, colorful and speaks independent.  It brings out the gypsy in you!  My mother had purchased lots of Avon jewelry - lots.  She didn't wear jewelry, but just liked to look at it.  The Avon jewelry was about the first thing that my sister and I went through to pick out what we each wanted to keep.  There were a few things for men, but my brother had other things he was salivating over. 

It seems that unique and colorful beads are really popular right now and are even offered in the fine jewelry stores.  Well, I think Avon may have been ahead of the "bead" popularity with this beautiful Moroccan Cool Blue Necklace. 

Isn't this just gorgeous?  This Avon necklace was offered in 1990 just in time for spring break vacations and cruises.  The various shapes of the plastic beads with different colors of blues and accented with a touch of coral.  And, just look at the silvertone beads!  This would look fabulous with a white beachy outfit whether you choose a more dressy linen slacks and jacket outfit or a free-spirited gauze blouse and long skirt.  You can find this beautiful necklace and other great Avon jewelry at CAROLINABLUELADY Vintage Collectibles and bring out your free spirit!