Seamus Hammond
Shalimar, the perfume initially created by Jacques Guerlain in 1921, continues to be in production and is currently a flagship product for Guerlain. Shalimar has been referenced in popular culture over the years, including in songs by Van Morrison and Grace Kelly, and in films and TV shows such as California Split, The Sopranos, Working Girl, and Orange Is the New Black. The perfume has a unique scent, with notes of bergamot, vanilla, musk, incense, and more, and is described as elegant, soft, and feminine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Created by | Jacques Guerlain |
| Created for | French perfume and cosmetics house Guerlain |
| Year of creation | 1921 |
| Year of launch | 1925 |
| Inspiration | Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan |
| Fragrance notes | Bergamot, lemon, iris, jasmine, rose, patchouli, vetiver, opopanax, tonka bean, frankincense, sandalwood, musk, civet, ambergris, leather, vanilla |
| Fragrance type | Oriental |
| Bottle design | Designed by Raymond Guerlain, won first prize at the Paris Decorative Arts Exhibition in 1925 |
| Bottle design inspiration | Curves inspired by the basins of the famous Shalimar Gardens |
| Bottle design features | Fan stopper with sapphire transparency |
| Bottle size | 3 Ounces |
| Bottle colour | Deep blue |
| Scent | Classic, old-fashioned, elegant, soft, feminine, floral, citrusy, woody, leathery, spicy, fresh, clean, powdery, vintage, melancholic, animalic |
| Longevity | Mixed reviews, some say it lasts all day while others say it lasts only 2 hours |
| Shalimar Light | Taken off the market and replaced by Eau de Shalimar in 2008 |
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What You'll Learn
Shalimar is still in production
Shalimar, the legendary fragrance from Guerlain, has been in continuous production since 1925. Created by perfumer Jacques Guerlain in 1921, it was inspired by the love story between an Indian princess and an emperor, for whom the Taj Mahal and Shalimar Gardens in Lahore were built. The name Shalimar means "temple of love" in Sanskrit.
The Shalimar bottle, designed by Raymond Guerlain, won first prize at the 1925 Paris Decorative Arts Exhibition. Its curves were inspired by the famous Shalimar Gardens' basins, and its fan stopper recalls the garden's gushing water with its sapphire transparency. Shalimar is characterised by its notes of bergamot, lemon, iris, jasmine, rose, patchouli, vetiver, opopanax, tonka bean, frankincense, sandalwood, musk, civet, ambergris, leather, and vanilla.
Over the years, Shalimar has been referenced in popular culture, including in songs by Van Morrison and Grace Kelly, and in films and television shows such as California Split, The Sopranos, Working Girl, and Orange Is the New Black. In 1985, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of its launch, Shalimar was repackaged and presented in a Lucite box. Shalimar Light was introduced in 2004 but was later replaced by Eau de Shalimar in 2008.
Nearly a century after its creation, Shalimar continues to inspire women and perfumers alike, with new variations of the scent being composed. It remains a flagship product for Guerlain and a beloved fragrance for many. As of 2017, Shalimar was Guerlain's second best-selling fragrance, with approximately 108 bottles sold every hour.
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The perfume's composition and packaging have evolved
Shalimar, the first-ever ambery perfume, was created by Jacques Guerlain in 1921 and has been in production continuously since 1925. The perfume has undergone several transformations since its creation, with new variations of the scent being composed and launched over the years. Shalimar Light, for example, was launched in 2004 but was later replaced by Eau de Shalimar in 2008. Shalimar was also repackaged in 1985 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of its original launch.
The perfume's composition has notes of bergamot, lemon, iris, jasmine, rose, patchouli, vetiver, opopanax, tonka bean, frankincense, sandalwood, musk, civet, ambergris, leather, and vanilla. The vanilla notes, in particular, have been described as "soft" and "radiating throughout the life of the fragrance". The perfume's composition has been described as "complex", pungent, intoxicating, sweet, rich, and "round".
The Shalimar bottle, designed by Raymond Guerlain, won first prize at the 1925 Paris Decorative Arts Exhibition. The curves of the bottle were inspired by the basins of the famous Shalimar Gardens, with the fan stopper recalling the garden's eternally gushing water. The bottle has been described as "beautiful" and "classic", with a notable deep blue colour.
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Shalimar has been referenced in popular culture
Shalimar, the perfume created by Jacques Guerlain in 1921, has been referenced in popular culture across the decades.
In the 1961 song 'Forty Shades of Green', Johnny Cash wrote the line "where the breeze is sweet as Shalimar and there's forty shades of green". In 1963, Eddie Barclay released an album called "Parfums", which included a song named after the perfume, 'Shalimar de Guerlain'. In 1968, Van Morrison sang about "sweet perfume...like Shalimar" in his song 'Madame George' from the album 'Astral Weeks'. In the 1970s, the perfume was referenced in the film 'The Mephisto Waltz', as the fragrance favoured by Jacqueline Bisset's character, Paula. In the 1980s, Shalimar was referenced in the film California Split and in an episode of 'The Love Boat'. In the 1990s, Helmut Newton's photographs were used in a print campaign for Shalimar.
More recently, in 2004, Guerlain issued Shalimar Light by perfumer Mathilde Laurent, and in 2013, they produced an advertisement titled "The Legend of Shalimar", featuring Natalia Vodianova. Shalimar has also been mentioned in the 21st century in the TV series The Sopranos, NCIS, Mad Men, and Orange Is the New Black.
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The scent is described as classic and elegant
Shalimar, a perfume by Guerlain, has been in production since 1925 and is considered a classic and elegant scent by many. The perfume contains a variety of notes, including bergamot, lemon, iris, jasmine, rose, patchouli, vetiver, opopanax, tonka bean, frankincense, sandalwood, musk, civet, ambergris, leather, and vanilla. The vanilla base is particularly notable, providing a soft, feminine touch that is neither overpowering nor overly floral.
The scent is described as elegant, soft, and feminine by customers, who appreciate its delicate balance of notes. It is also praised for its longevity, with some claiming that it lasts all day without breaking down like other perfumes. The scent is reminiscent of old-fashioned perfumes but retains a modern feel, making it a timeless classic.
The complexity of the composition is also noteworthy, with its unique combination of notes creating a deep, rich, and "round" fragrance. The top notes of bergamot and lemon provide a bright, fresh opening, while the middle notes of iris and jasmine add a floral touch. The base notes of vanilla, resins, smoke, incense, and woods give the perfume a warm, sensual finish.
The Shalimar perfume is inspired by a passionate love story between an emperor and an Indian princess, with the name "Shalimar" meaning "temple of love" in Sanskrit. The bottle design, with its curves and fan stopper, evokes the beauty of the Shalimar gardens and the gushing water that flows within them.
Overall, Shalimar's scent is a classic and elegant blend of exotic florals and vanilla, offering a luxurious and timeless fragrance experience.
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It has received mixed reviews
Shalimar, a perfume by Guerlain, has been in production since 1925. It was originally created by Jacques Guerlain in 1921 and is named after the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore. Shalimar is the first-ever ambery perfume and features notes of bergamot, lemon, iris, jasmine, rose, patchouli, vetiver, opopanax, tonka bean, frankincense, sandalwood, musk, civet, ambergris, leather, and vanilla.
The perfume has received mixed reviews. Some customers describe Shalimar as having a "classic, deliciously old-fashioned scent", with a beautiful deep blue bottle. They also note its excellent quality and value for money. One customer describes it as "elegant, soft, and feminine", with "no overpowering floral scent". Another reviewer notes that the scent is fantastic and less citrusy than other perfumes.
However, other reviewers disagree with this assessment. One customer mentions that they expected the perfume to smell different, stating that they "thought it smelt more of musk". Another reviewer notes that the scent is "musty and animalic", smelling like "an old sexy Cuban man". Some customers also express mixed opinions about the perfume's longevity. While some find it strong and long-lasting, others note that it only lasts for about two hours.
Shalimar has also made several appearances in popular culture. It has been mentioned in songs by Van Morrison and Grace Kelly, as well as in films and TV shows, including California Split, The Sopranos, Working Girl, Orange Is the New Black, and The Nanny.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Shalimar perfume is still in production and is currently a flagship product for Guerlain.
Shalimar was originally created by Jacques Guerlain in 1921 for the French perfume and cosmetics house Guerlain.
Shalimar perfume is available for purchase on Amazon and at local department stores.
Shalimar is an Oriental perfume with notes of bergamot, lemon, iris, jasmine, rose, patchouli, vetiver, opopanax, tonka bean, frankincense, sandalwood, musk, civet, ambergris, leather, and vanilla.
