{"id":624602,"date":"2026-10-11T00:11:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T21:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/korabelov.info\/2026\/10\/624602\/from-soviet-fame-to-closure-the-story-of-mykolaiv-s-scarlet-sails\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T00:33:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T21:33:50","slug":"from-soviet-fame-to-closure-the-story-of-mykolaiv-s-scarlet-sails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/korabelov.info\/en\/2026\/10\/624602\/from-soviet-fame-to-closure-the-story-of-mykolaiv-s-scarlet-sails\/","title":{"rendered":"From Soviet fame to closure: the story of Mykolaiv\u2019s \u201cScarlet Sails\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once, perfumes and creams from the Mykolaiv-based \u201cScarlet Sails\u201d<\/strong> factory were sold throughout the Soviet Union<\/strong>. Some cosmetics were so popular that, according to local lore, they could even help you get a room at a fully booked hotel. More than 1,700 people<\/strong> worked at the enterprise, its products were supplied to 100 wholesale depots<\/strong>, and its range included over 170 products<\/strong>. But in time, one of Mykolaiv<\/strong>\u2019s best-known perfume producers went bankrupt and was liquidated.<\/p>\n

Today, the former factory buildings, now put to other uses, along with old photographs, perfume bottles and cosmetic packaging kept by collectors, are reminders of the factory\u2019s past glory. For many Mykolaiv residents, \u201cScarlet Sails\u201d remains part of their memories of youth.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

From a small factory to a major enterprise<\/h2>\n

The enterprise\u2019s history began in 1927<\/strong>, when the Astra perfume and cosmetics factory was established on the basis of a chemical and pharmaceutical laboratory that had existed in Mykolaiv<\/strong> since before the revolution.<\/p>\n

According to records from the State Archives of Mykolaiv Region<\/a>, by the late 1930s<\/strong> the factory was producing more than 80 products<\/strong>. These included perfumes, colognes, toilet water, soap, tooth powder, face powder, lipstick, creams and shampoos.<\/p>\n

During World War II<\/strong>, the factory was evacuated to the city of Kinel<\/strong>, where munitions were produced at a local plant. In occupied Mykolaiv<\/strong>, its production buildings at 22 former Karl Marx Street were completely destroyed, while its equipment was either destroyed or taken away.<\/p>\n

After the city was liberated, the enterprise had to be rebuilt almost from scratch. In 1944<\/strong>, it was decided to establish perfume production on the grounds of a glass factory at 106 Mala Morska Street<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Thus, the Mykolaiv Glass and Perfume Factory was established. Cosmetics and glass packaging production began first, and in 1945<\/strong> the factory started expanding its production facilities.<\/p>\n

In 1947<\/strong>, the enterprise was renamed the Mykolaiv Perfume and Glass Combine.<\/p>\n

Perfumes, creams and shampoos\u2014even for seawater<\/h2>\n

In 1950<\/strong>, the combine produced around 40 varieties<\/strong> of floral cologne and 20 types<\/strong> of perfume. It also made face powder, creams, petroleum jelly, tooth powder, lipstick and rouge.<\/p>\n

The enterprise gradually adopted new technologies. In 1959<\/strong>, an imported production line for tubes used for creams and toothpastes began operating.<\/p>\n

In the years that followed, the product range grew to include the nourishing vitamin-enriched creams \u201cGentle\u201d and \u201cMoonlit,\u201d \u201cCucumber\u201d cream and lotion, made with fresh cucumber juice, as well as special shampoos for washing hair in hard water and even seawater.<\/p>\n

In 1962<\/strong>, the enterprise began producing the \u201cScarlet Sails\u201d gift set. It appeared before the combine itself adopted that name.<\/p>\n

It was not until July 1965<\/strong> that the enterprise was officially renamed \u201cScarlet Sails.\u201d Its products would later become known far beyond Mykolaiv Region<\/strong>.<\/p>\n