Launched in 1977 and created by Jean Amic and Jean-Louis Sieuzac, Opium was a spicy oriental powerhouse fragrance that reportedly caused quite a stir with its scandalous name. It was banned in some countries but the controversy only made it more popular. In the first nine months after its release, sales were over $3 million. Still a best-selling fragrance today, YSL has launched many flankers. The most recent is Black Opium.

YSL gave the fragrance the name Opium to signify seduction, passionate love, and to give the brand an exotic appeal. While the title caused international uproar - it was banned in Australia, the Middle East prohibited even the use of its name, and a group of Chinese Americans began a committee to fight its release called the American Coalition Against Opium and Drug Abuse - the controversy actually increased the perfume’s sales and popularity. 

Instead of a public apology, YSL threw a glamorous party in 1978 on board a ship in New York City’s East Harbor and made sure the whole world watched. There was a guest list of over 800 that included Cher, Truman Capote, Diana Vreeland and Nan Kempner. Andy Warhol was in California at the time and admitted in his diaries that he regretted not being able to attend the “big, glamorous YSL Opium party”. The ship was decked out with gold, red and purple banners and featured a 1,000 lb. Buddha and over 2,000 white orchids that were flown in from Hawaii to add to the oriental theme. The party ended with fireworks and then the guests headed to Studio 54 for the after-party.

In 2010, the brand relaunched Opium with a major bash that payed homage to the 1978 party.

Opium won a FiFi Award in 1979 for Women's Fragrance of the Year - Luxe and a FiFi Fragrance Hall of Fame Award in 1993.

Interesting to note, is that Opium is part of the Smithsonian's collection of cosmetics and personal care products displayed at the National Museum of American History.

Opium is still available for purchase.

This is the original eau de toilette version of the fragrance.