Authenticity Of Dana Fragrances: Real Deal Or Rip-Off?

Dana is a perfume brand founded in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932 by Javier Serra, a former executive of the Spanish perfume house, Myrurgia. The company relocated to Paris and then to the United States in 1940. Over time, Dana fragrances were re-tooled from prestige fragrances to mass-market products. The brand has a long history of creating award-winning fragrances and has launched several notable classics, including Tabu, Canoe, and English Leather. Today, Dana Classics continues to produce and reintroduce updated versions of beloved fragrances. With its focus on quality and authenticity, Dana has gained immense popularity, especially in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Dana's history and origins

The House of Dana, a perfume brand, was founded in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932, by Javier Serra, a pioneer in the beauty industry and former executive of the Spanish perfume house Myrurgia. Serra's vision was to create brands that reflected originality and true beauty. He chose the name "Dana" because it was short and sounded good in all languages, and it could be easily associated with perfume and beauty themes. In Greek mythology, Danae was a goddess of music and poetry and the mother of Perseus by Zeus. She was said to have been a great beauty, and her name has become a symbol for female beauty. The name "Dana" also has significant meanings in various languages and cultures, including success in Basque, white pearl in Arabic and Buddhism, and sweet awakening in Afghan culture.

On 22 August 1932, the House of Dana launched its first perfume, Tabu, created by the legendary French perfumer Jean Carles. This oriental perfume became a classic and achieved a sensual reputation worldwide. Serra is said to have been inspired by the cover of Sigmund Freud's book "Totem and Taboo", which he saw while walking down a street in Nice, France. Following this success, Dana launched a string of notable fragrances, including 20 Carats and Bolero in 1933, Canoe and Emir in 1935, and Platine in 1938.

In the 1930s, the company relocated to Paris, France, at 9 rue de la Paix, near the prestigious Place Vendôme. However, in 1940, when Germany occupied Paris, the main office operations were transferred to the United States. Despite the challenges of the time, Dana continued to thrive and released more original perfumes, including Voodoo in 1951 and Ambush in 1955, which was remarkably well-received.

Over the years, Dana fragrances evolved from prestige fragrances to mass-market products, and the company acquired the licenses for several classic perfumes originally produced by other houses. These included iconic scents such as Chantilly, Love's Baby Soft, English Leather, and Toujours Moi. Dana has changed hands a few times, with Renaissance Cosmetics purchasing it in 1994, and later, after their bankruptcy, it was acquired by New Dana Perfumes, who rebranded as Dana Classics.

Today, Dana Classics continues to produce and celebrate many of the beloved fragrances that made the brand famous, while also reintroducing updated versions of some classic fragrances for modern consumers.

Are Dana fragrances authentic?

The House of Dana, a perfume brand, was founded in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932 by Javier Serra, a former executive of the Spanish perfume house Myrurgia. The company relocated to Paris shortly after its founding and then to the United States in 1940 when France was occupied by Germany.

Dana's first fragrance was a women's oriental perfume called Tabu, created by the perfumer Jean Carles. Over the years, Dana has launched several notable classic fragrances, including men's scents Canoe and English Leather, and women's scents Ambush, Chantilly, and Love's Baby Soft.

In 1994, Dana was purchased by Renaissance Cosmetics, but the company's bankruptcy in 1999 led to its acquisition by New Dana Perfumes (now called Dana Classics), which continues to produce many of the original Dana fragrances.

Dana fragrances are known for their quality and authenticity. The brand has a long history of creating award-winning scents using fine ingredients and stylish packaging. Online retailers such as Amazon, eBay, and 99Perfume.com sell Dana fragrances, with 99Perfume.com explicitly stating that they only carry genuine brand-name perfumes and colognes, not imitations or knock-offs.

Therefore, based on the available information, it appears that Dana fragrances are authentic and not knock-offs. The brand has a reputable history, and its products are sold by trusted online retailers, indicating their authenticity.

Popular Dana fragrances

The House of Dana was founded in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932 by Javier Serra, a pioneer in the beauty industry. The brand is named after Danae, the mother of Perseus in Greek mythology, who was allegedly a great beauty. The company's logo featured a stylized silhouette of a beautiful woman's head, designed by Spanish artist Mariano Andreu.

Tabu

Tabu was Dana's first launch, a powerhouse women's oriental perfume created by famed perfumer Jean Carles. The fragrance is now a classic and has been a perennial best-seller. It opens with spice and citrus, with exotic florals at its heart: narcissus, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and rose. The base is warm and sensual, featuring sandalwood, civet, resins, patchouli, and amber.

Canoe

First produced in the 1930s, Canoe is a refined masculine scent that was relaunched in 1996. Also created by Jean Carles, it opens with lavender, lemon, and clary sage. The middle notes are patchouli, bourbon geranium, carnation, cloves, and cedar, while the base features musk, vanilla, tonka bean, heliotrope, and oakmoss.

Ambush

Launched in 1997, Ambush is an oriental woody fragrance with a sweet allure. It opens with fresh and fruity notes of papaya, bergamot, lemon, sage, lavender, and kiwi. The heart hints at passionfruit but blooms with rose, geranium, and carnation. The drydown notes are warm and smooth, including vanilla, heliotrope, praline, sandalwood, and tonka bean.

Chantilly

Originally produced by Houbigant, Chantilly was acquired by Dana and is now part of their classic collection.

Love's Baby Soft and the other Love's series

Originally produced by Mem, these fragrances were acquired by Dana and added to their collection.

Toujours Moi

Originally produced by Corday and then Max Factor, the license for this fragrance was acquired by Dana, who reintroduced it for modern consumers.

Where to buy Dana fragrances

Dana fragrances can be purchased from a variety of online retailers. Amazon.com offers a wide range of Dana fragrances, including popular options such as Tabu, Love's Baby Soft, and Chantilly. With a simple search, you can explore their selection and take advantage of their delivery options.

Another online option is Perfume.com, which has a dedicated Dana section on their website. While the specific fragrances offered by Perfume.com are unclear, they do provide discounts and promotions, which may be worth considering.

If you're looking for the classic Dana fragrances, Dana Classics is the place to go. As the current producer of many original Dana scents, they offer fragrances like Tabu, Chantilly, English Leather, and Monsieur Musk. You can explore their website to find the fragrances that suit your tastes.

Lastly, for those in Bahrain, Lee offers French Fragrances for men and women. Lee is known for its high-quality fragrance oils and commitment to using premium ingredients, reflecting the region's rich culture and heritage.

Dana's brand and logo

The Dana brand was founded in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932 by Javier Serra, a former executive of the Spanish perfume house, Myrurgia. The brand was named after Danae, the mother of Perseus in Greek mythology, who was allegedly a great beauty. This name has since become a symbol of female beauty. The company logo, designed by Spanish artist Mariano Andreu, features a stylised silhouette of a beautiful woman's head.

Javier Serra's approach to the brand was simple: work with talented people, create original products using the finest ingredients, and package them stylishly. The company has a long history of creating award-winning fragrances, with a focus on beauty, luxury, originality, and excitement. Over the years, Dana has created several notable classic fragrances, including Tabu, Canoe, English Leather, and Ambush.

In 1940, the company relocated to the United States due to the German occupation of France. The fragrances were re-tooled from prestige fragrances to mass-market products. Dana also acquired the licenses for several classic perfumes originally produced by other houses, such as Chantilly, Love's Baby Soft, and Toujours Moi.

The brand changed hands several times, eventually becoming Dana Classics, which continues to produce many of the original Dana fragrances. They have also reintroduced updated versions of some beloved older fragrances, such as Heaven Scent and Toujours Moi, for modern consumers. Today, the brand stays true to the heritage and integrity of its classic brands, offering high-quality fragrances to consumers worldwide.

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