Lance Carson
Jean Patou's Joy, considered one of the greatest fragrances ever created, is no longer in production. However, some original bottles from the 70s, 80s, and 90s still exist and can be purchased online, although they may be degraded. The original formulation from 1930 is preserved in the archives of the Osmothèque. Dior acquired the rights to the name Joy in 2018 and launched a new fragrance under the same name, but it is considered a pallid successor to the original.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Original creator | Jean Patou |
| Perfumer | Henri Alméras |
| Year created | 1929 or 1930 |
| Original price | Costliest perfume in the world |
| Ingredients | Bulgarian rose, tuberose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, May rose, civet, musk, peach, and other green notes |
| Current availability | Discontinued, but still available for purchase online |
| Variants | Eau de parfum, Eau de toilette, Eau de parfum luxe |
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What You'll Learn
The original Joy perfume is no longer produced
The original Joy perfume, created by Jean Patou in 1929 or 1930, is no longer in production. It was once considered one of the greatest fragrances ever created and is a landmark example of the floral genre in perfumery.
Joy was launched at the outset of the Great Depression, so that the wealthy American clientele of Jean Patou's couture house could still enjoy his creations even if they could no longer afford his dresses. The perfume was famously promoted as the "costliest perfume in the world", reflecting the high quality and cost of its ingredients. It was said that no fewer than 10,000 jasmine flowers and 28 dozen roses were required to make just 1 ounce of the parfum luxe.
Despite its success, the original Joy perfume is no longer produced, and the Jean Patou fragrances are now out of production. LVMH bought the Patou brand in 2018 and changed its name to simply "Patou". They also acquired the rights to the name "Joy" and launched a new perfume under the Dior brand, which is considered a poor successor to the original.
While the original Joy perfume is no longer available, it is preserved in its 1930 formulation in the archives of the Osmothèque, donated by Jean Kerléo, formerly head perfumer at Jean Patou. Additionally, vintage bottles of the original perfume can sometimes be found at estate sales, and some sellers offer bottles claimed to be the original fragrance. However, the authenticity of these bottles may be questionable, and the scent may not be an exact replica of the original.
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The scent can still be experienced at the Osmothèque in Paris
The original Joy perfume by Jean Patou is no longer in production. LVMH purchased Patou in 2018, and Dior, an LVMH brand, acquired the rights to the name "Joy". Dior launched its own perfume named Joy, which is considered a "pallid successor at best". However, the scent of the original Joy can still be experienced at the Osmothèque in Paris.
The Osmothèque, located in Versailles, France, is a scent archive that houses a collection of perfumes and fragrances, including the original formulation of Joy perfume. The Osmothèque was founded in 1990 by Jean Kerléo, a master perfumer who wanted to preserve the history of perfumery and allow people to experience the evolution of fragrances. The archive contains a vast collection of perfumes, both vintage and modern, with new fragrances being added regularly.
The original Joy perfume, created in 1929 by perfumer Henri Alméras for Parisian couturier Jean Patou, is considered a landmark in the floral genre of perfumery. It was known for its extravagant use of ingredients, requiring no fewer than 10,000 jasmine flowers and 28 dozen roses to make just one ounce of the parfum luxe variant. The scent combined notes of Bulgarian rose, tuberose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, May rose, civet, and musk.
Joy was famously promoted as the "costliest perfume in the world", reflecting the high quality and expense of its ingredients. It was created as a reaction to the 1929 Wall Street crash, which had affected the fortunes of Jean Patou's wealthy American clientele. Despite its elevated price, Joy became a success and remained Patou's most famous fragrance.
Today, the original Joy perfume is preserved at the Osmothèque, donated to the collection by Jean Kerléo. Visitors to the Osmothèque can experience the scent of Joy and learn about its history and significance in the world of perfumery. The Osmothèque offers a unique opportunity to discover and appreciate the art of fragrance creation, preserving the legacy of iconic perfumes like Joy for future generations to enjoy and study.
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Joy was created by perfumer Henri Alméras
Joy perfume was created by perfumer Henri Alméras for the Parisian couturier Jean Patou in 1929. It is considered one of the greatest fragrances ever created and is a landmark example of the floral genre in perfumery.
Jean Patou's goal was to create the most magnificent perfume ever, so he doubled the quantities of ingredients required for Joy. This extravagant gesture, even by today's standards, revolutionised the way fragrances were created. It is said that no fewer than 10,000 jasmine flowers and 28 dozen roses are needed to make just one ounce of Joy Parfum Luxe. The scent combines Bulgarian rose, tuberose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, May rose, civet, and musk, as well as rose, peach, and other green notes.
Henri Alméras created Joy as a response to the 1929 Wall Street crash, which had affected the fortunes of Jean Patou's wealthy American clientele. Despite its high price and the depressed economic environment, Joy became a success and remained Jean Patou's most famous fragrance. It was famously promoted as the "costliest perfume in the world", a marketing ploy that reflected the high quality and cost of its ingredients.
Joy is no longer in production, and the original formulation is preserved in the archives of the Osmothèque, donated by Jean Kerléo, formerly head perfumer at Jean Patou. However, it is still possible to find vintage bottles of Joy for sale online, and the fragrance is often found at estate sales.
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It was launched in 1930 at the outset of the Great Depression
Jean Patou's Joy, considered one of the greatest fragrances ever created, was launched in 1930 at the outset of the Great Depression. The perfume was created by perfumer Henri Alméras in 1929, as a reaction to the 1929 Wall Street crash, which had diminished the fortunes of Jean Patou's wealthy American clientele. Despite its high price and the depressed economic environment, Joy became a success and has remained Jean Patou's most famous fragrance.
Joy was famously promoted as the "costliest perfume in the world", which was likely a marketing ploy but also reflected the high quality and cost of its ingredients. It was also meant to compete with Chanel No. 5 as a luxury perfume. To create a single ounce of the parfum luxe variant, no fewer than 10,000 jasmine flowers and 28 dozen roses were required—a gesture that was extravagant even by today's standards. The perfume combined fruit and flowers, including rose, peach, tuberose, and other green notes, to create a refreshing scent with a pleasant fragrance.
Over the years, Joy has been a favourite fragrance for many women, including Marilyn Monroe, who claimed it was all she wore to bed, and Barbara Hutton. However, the original Joy is no longer produced, and the perfume has been discontinued. The brand has been sold several times, and there are now different versions of the fragrance available, with some people questioning their authenticity. The current iterations of the perfume are not considered to be true to the original scent, with some sources stating that it is unlikely that the original will be resurrected.
Despite this, the original 1930 formulation of Joy has been preserved in the archives of the Osmothèque, donated by Jean Kerléo, formerly head perfumer at Jean Patou.
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Joy is considered one of the greatest fragrances ever created
Joy is a perfume created for Parisian designer Jean Patou by perfumer Henri Alméras in 1929. It is considered one of the greatest fragrances ever created and is a landmark example of the floral genre in perfumery.
Jean Patou wanted to create the most splendid perfume ever, so he doubled the quantities of ingredients required for Joy. No fewer than 10,000 jasmine flowers and 28 dozen roses are needed to make just one ounce of Joy Parfum Luxe. This gesture, extravagant even by today's standards, revolutionized the way fragrances were created. The scent combines Bulgarian rose, tuberose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, May rose, civet, musk, rose, peach, and other green notes to create a refreshing scent with a pleasant fragrance.
Joy was famously promoted as the "costliest perfume in the world", which reflected the high quality and cost of its ingredients. It was also meant to compete with Chanel No. 5 as a luxury perfume. They share some qualities and notes, but each is distinct and instantly recognizable. Joy was created as a reaction to the 1929 Wall Street crash, which had diminished the fortunes of Jean Patou's wealthy American clientele. Despite its elevated price and the depressed economic environment, Joy became a success and has remained Jean Patou's most famous fragrance.
The perfume is no longer in production, and the original formula is preserved in the archives of the Osmothèque. However, it is still widely available online and can often be found at estate sales.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the original Joy perfume is no longer produced.
The original Joy perfume was discontinued after the company and brand were sold several times.
The original Joy perfume was created by perfumer Henri Alméras for Parisian couturier Jean Patou.
The original Joy perfume was created in 1929 or 1930.
The original 1930 formulation of Joy is preserved in the archives of the Osmothèque.
