Martin Rauch is an East German soldier who is recruited to become a spy in West Germany. His mentor, Professor Tobias Tischbier, introduces him to the different lifestyle, products and vocabulary on the other side of the Wall. His “lessons” include beauty products. Florena was an East German beauty brand; among its products, the hairspray Action and the deodorant Lidos. On the other hand, Schwarzkopf 3 Wetter Taft was extremely popular on the Western market.
In this episode there are two references to Mäurer & Wirtz 4711, the original Echt Kölnisch Wasser. The scene above is set in Cologne central station: while Martin Rauch is taking a train to East Berlin, we can see huge neon letters spelling the name of the eau de cologne.
In another scene, the iconic Molanus bottle can be seen in the desk drawer of Frau Netz (Michaela Caspar), General Edel’s secretary. When she opens the drawer, we can see the bottle and a copy of the magazine Der Spiegel (June 6th, 1983 issue). The cover title – Deadly Disease AIDS, the Mysterious Illness – is connected to the plot: a member of the pacifist movement, Felix von Schwerin, is actually ill with AIDS; he may have infected Tobias Tischbier and, as a consequence, Alex Edel.
Ursula Edel, the General’s wife, pays a visit to his office and gives Frau Netz a certificate of medical leave of absence for her son Alex. This is ironic: in that moment, Alex is not ill (he has temporarily left the army, trying to fight his father’s influence with a grand gesture which will end up tragically), but he may be, even if he doesn’t know it yet. Besides the fact that Frau Netz doesn’t shake Ursula’s hand, she reacts to the woman’s departure from the office by cleaning her hands with a handkerchief soaked in 4711 cologne. Known for its revitalising and relaxing effects, this cologne is commonly used as hand sanitizer, too.
A bottle of CK Be, vitamin E face mist and a cushion pin large hairbrush by The Body Shop, Kryolan cake make-up and The Body Shop coconut oil hair shine can be seen on the dressing table of Edward Petherbridge.
The picture was taken by Dora Petherbridge (Edward’s daughter) at the Duchess Theatre in London in July 2010, when the actor was appearing in The Fantasticks.
Thanks to my friend Jennifer for the face mist id.
There’s a box of Avon Angel Fish soaps on a shelf of Pat White’s bedside table.
Cassandra and Rose Mortmain go to a luxury department store in London to get two fur coats their aunt Millicent left them as inheritance. Before getting to the right floor, Rose wanders in the perfume and fashion accessory department. Some Guerlain perfumes are displayed in a glass case: they are Shalimar and Véga.
The selection is historically accurate: the film is set in the 1930s, a decade during which both perfumes had been released. Shalimar was launched in 1925 and Véga in 1926.
David Bowie putting his make-up in Paris in 1976. The picture was taken by Andrew Kent.
The showdown between the Countess (Lady GaGa) and Ramona Royale (Angela Bassett) opens with a conversation on what they smell like. From the Countess’ remark we learn that Ramona wears Guerlain Shalimar and that her blood smells like walnuts. On the other hand, the Countess’ blood smells like black licorice.
Ramona’s perfume of choice doesn’t come as a surprise: created by Jacques Guerlain in 1925, this alluring perfume is among the most famous oriental fragrances. Its top notes include vanilla, leather, bergamot, lemon; the middle notes are jasmine, rose, vanilla, orris, patchouli, vetiver, incense, civet; the base notes are vanilla, tonka bean and musk.
If you want to learn more about this iconic perfume, read this amazing post by Monsieur Guerlain.
Two Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes can be seen in the scene introducing the protagonist, Jupiter Jones. The blue bottle is Midnight in Paris, a balsamic fragrance created by Domitille Bertier and Olivier Polge; the one with the faceted stopper is Oriens, a perfume combining vetiver, raspberry and praline, created by Bernard Ellena. Both perfumes were launched in 2010.
Two bottles of vintage Revlon nail polish can be seen in the opening credits.
World Wide Aura 