Heidi Norton
Tabu, the forbidden fragrance, is a classic oriental perfume for women, first launched in 1932. It was created by French perfumer Jean Carles, who would later create other iconic perfumes such as Miss Dior and Ma Griffe. The fragrance has been described as a spicy, floral, animalic scent with notes of musk, patchouli, and vanilla. It is still available for purchase today, both online and in major department stores, although some sources claim that the scent has changed over the years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Launch | 1932 |
| Perfumer | Jean Carles |
| Perfumer House | Dana |
| Perfumer House Founder | Javier Serra |
| Fragrance Type | Oriental |
| Fragrance Notes | Spices, cloves, floral, woody balsamic amber, musk, patchouli, civet, clove, bergamot, lemon, basil, tarragon, orange, jasmine, lily of the valley, rose, narcissus, ylang-ylang, heliotrope, oakmoss, sandalwood, cedar, vanilla, benzoin, vetiver |
| Where to Buy | FragranceX, eBay, Walmart, local drugstores, major department stores |
| Presentation | Violin-shaped bottle |
| Other | Tabu Diamonds and Tabu Black Pearl were launched later |
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy Tabu perfume
Tabu by Dana is an oriental perfume with a sensual reputation. It was first launched in 1932 and is still available for purchase today.
You can buy Tabu perfume from Amazon, where it retails for around $13.12 for a 2.3 fl oz bottle. Walmart also stocks the perfume, which is available for $16.20 for a 2.3 fl oz bottle.
If you are looking for vintage Tabu, eBay is a good option, with many customers reporting that they have been able to find the fragrance on the site.
The official Dana Classics website also sells the perfume, and you can purchase it directly from the fragrance creator.
Finally, you may also be able to find Tabu in some physical stores, such as Walmart.
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The scent of Tabu perfume
Tabu by Dana is a classic oriental perfume with a sensual reputation. Created in 1932 by French perfumer Jean Carles, it has been described as having a "dirty sexiness". The scent is a provocative blend of amber, floral, and spicy notes with animalic accents. It opens with a heavy load of spices, followed by cloves and floral notes, and ends with a woody balsamic amber base with strong musk and patchouli. The floral notes include jasmine, lily of the valley, rose, and narcissus, followed by ylang-ylang and heliotrope. The base notes are earthy, including patchouli, oakmoss, sandalwood, and cedar, blended with soft creamy musk, vanilla, benzoin, and vetiver.
The perfume has a long history and has been described as "the fragrance of a forbidden affair". Its name was inspired by the founder of DANA Parfums, Javier Serra, who came across the cover of Sigmund Freud's book "Totem and Taboo" in Nice, France. The advertising campaign for Tabu featured the 1901 painting "La Sonate à Kreutzer" by French artist René-Xavier Prinet, which showed a violinist overcome with passion, embracing his female piano accompanist. This evoked the dreams of forbidden but exciting terrain, with the slogan "Tabu, the forbidden fragrance".
Tabu has been a beloved fragrance for many, with some describing wearing it since their youth and continuing to receive compliments on the scent. It is said to be affordable and long-lasting, with a strong fragrance that only requires a small amount to be applied. However, some have noted that the newer formulations are not as good as the vintage editions, with one reviewer describing the new scent as "wretched". Despite this, Tabu remains a popular fragrance that can still be purchased today, although it may be harder to find the vintage formulation.
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History of Tabu perfume
Tabu by Dana is a women's fragrance created by French perfumer Jean Carles in 1931. The House of Dana was established in 1932 in Barcelona, Spain, by lawyer Javier Serra. On 22 August 1932, the House of Dana launched Tabu, its first perfume.
Jean Carles was well known for creating wonderful fragrances using unusual materials. Before creating Tabu, he was reportedly instructed to make a fragrance for a prostitute ('un parfum de puta'). Tabu was thus created as a sensual and shocking fragrance. It is characterised by its oriental floral composition, with fresh citrus and spicy notes. The spices in the heart accentuate the beauty of exuberant flowers, including jasmine, narcissus, rose and ylang-ylang. The warm oriental base includes amber, resins, civet and precious woods such as sandal and patchouli. Tabu is one of the first "oriental" scents in the perfume world and one of the heaviest.
Tabu's advertising campaigns have also played a role in its history. The long-running print advertisement for Tabu reproduced the 1901 painting La Sonate à Kreutzer by French artist René-Xavier Prinet. The painting depicts a violinist, overcome with passion, breaking off his performance to embrace his female piano accompanist. The painting was inspired by the novella of the same title (The Kreutzer Sonata) by Leo Tolstoy. Dana acquired the painting and used it to advertise the perfume, evoking the dreams of forbidden but exciting terrain opening up to the woman who wears it. This idea is reflected in the perfume's slogan: "Tabu, the forbidden fragrance".
Tabu has been described as a "rockstar in the annals of perfume history". It has been widely worn and recognised since its creation in the 1930s, with some people still wearing it today. However, its popularity has fluctuated over the years, and its formulation has also changed. Some people who have worn Tabu for many years have noticed differences in the scent and colour of newer bottles.
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Vintage Tabu perfume
Tabu, the vintage fragrance for women, was first launched by the House of DANA in 1932. It is known as the "Mother of oriental perfumes" and has been described as a "dense and heady blend of spices, amber, incense, light touches of indolic florals, grounded with and animalics and earthy base". The perfume was created by legendary French perfumer Jean Carles, who also composed other outstanding perfumes of the era, including Miss Dior, Ma Griffe, and Shocking de Schiaparelli.
The perfume is said to evoke dreams of forbidden but exciting terrain, with its strong and overpowering scent. It has been described as having top notes of bergamot, orange, neroli, coriander, and spice, heart notes of clove bud, ylang-ylang, rose oriental, jasmine, narcissus, and clover, and base notes of patchouli, civet, cedar, vetiver, sandalwood, benzoin, amber, musk, and oakmoss. The animalic notes in the perfume are more prominent than in similar fragrances such as Cinnabar.
The long-running print advertisement for Tabu featured the 1901 painting La Sonate à Kreutzer by French artist René-Xavier Prinet, which shows a violinist, overcome with passion, embracing his female piano accompanist. The painting was inspired by the novella of the same name by Leo Tolstoy. The slogan for the perfume was "Tabu, the forbidden fragrance".
Vintage bottles of Tabu can be found on eBay, and the perfume is also available in drugstores, although some reviewers claim that the newer formulations are not as good as the original.
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Tabu perfume's popularity
Tabu, the "forbidden fragrance", is a classic oriental perfume for women, created in 1932 by French perfumer Jean Carles for the House of Dana. With its spicy, floral, and animalistic notes, Tabu has been described as evocative, powerful, and provocative.
Over the years, Tabu has earned a reputation as a signature scent for women, with some reviewers claiming to have worn it for decades and receiving compliments from both men and women. It is said to evoke old Hollywood style and sophistication, with a "dirty sexiness". One reviewer noted that Tabu is a walking advertisement for the perfume, as people often comment on how good it smells. Another reviewer noted that Tabu is a "love it or hate it" fragrance, with some people finding it too strong or overpowering.
The popularity of Tabu has resulted in various concentrations and presentations, including an eau de toilette (EDT) concentration and a cologne. Vintage formulations of Tabu are also sought after, with some reviewers preferring the older versions of the perfume. The vintage editions can be found on eBay and other online retailers, with some reviewers warning about the presence of fake Tabu products.
Despite some mixed reviews, Tabu remains a relevant and long-lasting fragrance, with people still purchasing and wearing it today. Its longevity in the perfume world is notable, as it has been continuously produced since 1932 while other fragrances have come and gone.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Tabu perfume is still sold today, nearly a hundred years after its launch in 1932.
Tabu perfume can be purchased at major department stores, as well as online retailers such as FragranceX, Amazon, and eBay.
Tabu is a classic oriental perfume with a sensual and animalistic reputation. It features strong musky and patchouli base notes, with floral heart notes and top notes of citrus and spice.
Tabu is a versatile fragrance that can be worn during the day or evening. However, due to its strong scent, it is recommended to apply sparingly, especially in warm weather.
While the original Tabu formula is sought-after by vintage fragrance enthusiasts, the perfume has undergone reformulations over the years. Some reviewers note that the newer versions are not as long-lasting or true to the original scent. However, Tabu remains a beloved fragrance that has stood the test of time.
