
Elizabeth Taylor, the legendary Hollywood actress, was known for her talent, beauty, and iconic sense of style. In addition to her illustrious film career, she also ventured into the world of fashion and beauty with her line of perfumes and fragrances. Over the years, she launched several perfumes, including her first fragrance, Passion, which debuted in 1987, followed by its masculine counterpart, Passion for Men, in 1989. One of her most iconic and successful fragrances is White Diamonds, which was introduced in 1991 and has since spawned various interpretations, such as Sparkling White Diamonds and Brilliant White Diamonds. Taylor was deeply involved in the creation of her fragrances, ensuring that each one reflected her unique style and sophistication.
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What You'll Learn
- Elizabeth Taylor's first perfume was 'Passion', released in 1987
- Her second fragrance, 'White Diamonds', was launched in 1991
- 'White Diamonds' was an enormous commercial success, with sales of $1.5 billion as of 2018
- The perfume was an enduring classic, winning Fragrance of the Year in 1992
- Elizabeth Taylor also recreated the scent from the 1960 film 'Scent of Mystery', in which she starred

Elizabeth Taylor's first perfume was 'Passion', released in 1987
Elizabeth Taylor, the legendary Hollywood actress, was known for her talent, beauty, and iconic sense of style. In addition to her illustrious film career, she left an indelible mark in the world of fashion and beauty with her line of perfumes and fragrances. In 1987, Elizabeth Taylor debuted her first fragrance, Passion, a women's scent. This perfume was an instant hit and marked the beginning of her award-winning perfume empire. Passion was followed by Passion for Men in 1989, a masculine, woody counterpart to the original feminine scent.
Elizabeth Taylor's passion for fine jewellery inspired the perfume line she launched with Elizabeth Arden. The first fragrance in this line, Passion, debuted in 1987 to great success. This was followed by the enduring best-seller White Diamonds in 1991, which became an enormous commercial success with total sales of US$1.5 billion as of 2018. White Diamonds was an innovative floral perfume with notes of rose, jasmine, neroli, narcissus, and Egyptian tuberose. The scent was sold in a bottle adorned with imitation white diamond gemstones, reflecting Taylor's love for fine jewellery.
Elizabeth Taylor was deeply involved in the creation of her fragrances, from building the scent to visual marketing, bottle design, and product distribution. She approached her fragrances with passion and creativity, ultimately building a fragrance empire that still stands today. She believed that a well-chosen perfume is an essential accessory for every woman. Her collection includes a range of scents inspired by her personal style, sophistication, and unique eye colour, such as Violet Eyes.
The success of White Diamonds cemented its place as one of the true classics of the fragrance industry. It was named "Fragrance of the Year" by The Fragrance Foundation in 1992 and inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2009. Taylor followed up this success with several other fragrances, including Sparkling White Diamonds in 1999 and Brilliant White Diamonds in 2001. These fragrances were designed to appeal to women of all ages and offered something for everyone.
Elizabeth Taylor's perfumes were not just a commercial success, but they also had a positive impact on her life and charity. Sales of her perfumes, particularly White Diamonds, became her principal source of income during her later years. In 2011, Taylor stipulated that 20% of all sales of White Diamonds be directed to her charity, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. This generous act showcases how Elizabeth Taylor's perfumes not only left a lasting impression in the fragrance industry but also contributed to a greater cause.
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Her second fragrance, 'White Diamonds', was launched in 1991
Elizabeth Taylor's second fragrance, White Diamonds, was launched in 1991. It was an enormous commercial success, with total sales of US$1.5 billion as of 2018. The floral perfume features notes of rose, jasmine, neroli, narcissus, and Egyptian tuberose. The perfume was sold in a bottle decorated with small imitation white diamond gemstones.
To promote the fragrance, Taylor embarked on a multi-city promotional tour, visiting department stores across the US. She also starred in a short film titled "White Diamonds, Starring Elizabeth Taylor", which was accompanied by a $20 million advertising campaign. The fragrance was an instant hit and has since become a classic in the fragrance industry. It was named "Fragrance of the Year" by The Fragrance Foundation in 1992 and inducted into the foundation's Hall of Fame in 2009.
The success of White Diamonds popularised the trend of celebrity-branded perfumes, with many other celebrities having previously lent their names to fragrances. Taylor herself followed up White Diamonds with several other fragrances, including flanker scents such as Sparkling White Diamonds and Brilliant White Diamonds. White Diamonds remains one of Taylor's most iconic fragrances, with its enduring popularity leading to the release of White Diamonds-inspired fragrances such as White Diamonds En Rouge, a modern interpretation with fruity, floral, and woody notes.
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'White Diamonds' was an enormous commercial success, with sales of $1.5 billion as of 2018
Elizabeth Taylor's perfume line, launched in partnership with Elizabeth Arden Inc., a division of Parfums International, is a testament to her passion for fine fragrances and her entrepreneurial spirit. Among her collection of scents, White Diamonds stands out as an enduring commercial success, with total sales of $1.5 billion as of 2018.
Introduced in 1991, White Diamonds is the epitome of glamour and sophistication, capturing the essence of Elizabeth Taylor's iconic style. The floral perfume features a captivating blend of rose, jasmine, neroli, narcissus, and Egyptian tuberose, creating a heavier scent with a higher concentration of oil. The perfume's design pays homage to its namesake with a bottle adorned with small imitation white diamond gemstones, reflecting Taylor's love for fine jewellery.
The success of White Diamonds can be attributed to several factors, including its captivating scent, elegant packaging, and the allure of the Elizabeth Taylor brand. Taylor herself played a pivotal role in promoting the fragrance, embarking on a multi-city tour and starring in a cinematic TV commercial. The short film, titled "White Diamonds, Starring Elizabeth Taylor," featured the famous line, "these have always brought me luck," referencing a sparkling pair of diamond earrings.
The impact of White Diamonds extended beyond its commercial success. It popularised the trend of celebrity-branded perfumes, influencing the fragrance industry for decades. Taylor's involvement in creating the scent and her commitment to quality ensured that her fragrances exuded her signature sophistication and femininity. White Diamonds became an iconic fragrance, with its enduring popularity leading to the release of several flanker scents, including Sparkling White Diamonds and Brilliant White Diamonds.
The success of White Diamonds also provided a significant source of income for Taylor during her later years. She stipulated that 20% of all sales be directed to her charity, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, demonstrating her dedication to using her success for philanthropic causes. With its impressive sales figures, critical acclaim, and lasting legacy, White Diamonds has cemented its place as a true classic in the fragrance industry.
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The perfume was an enduring classic, winning Fragrance of the Year in 1992
Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds perfume, created in 1991, was an enduring classic that won Fragrance of the Year in 1992. The floral fragrance, with notes of rose, jasmine, neroli, narcissus, and Egyptian tuberose, was an enormous commercial success, with total sales of US$1.5 billion as of 2018. The perfume was sold in a bottle decorated with small imitation white diamond gemstones, reflecting the scent's name.
White Diamonds was Taylor's second perfume, following the success of her inaugural scent, Passion, which launched in 1987. Passion was an instant hit and won Fragrance of the Year in 1988. After Passion, Taylor released Passion for Men in 1989, a masculine, woody counterpart to the original.
Taylor partnered with Elizabeth Arden Inc., then a division of Parfums International, to create White Diamonds. The perfume used a higher-than-normal concentration of oil (25% instead of the usual 12%) to create a heavier scent. To promote the fragrance, Taylor embarked on a multi-city promotional tour, visiting department stores across the US and sharing a first look at the fragrance's commercial. The iconic video, titled "White Diamonds, Starring Elizabeth Taylor," featured the actress uttering the famous line, "these have always brought me luck," while referencing a sparkling pair of diamond earrings.
The success of White Diamonds popularized the trend of celebrity-branded perfumes, with many other celebrities launching their own fragrances in the following decades. White Diamonds has since spawned a series of innovative, White Diamonds-inspired fragrances, including limited editions to commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2021. Today, Elizabeth Taylor's award-winning perfume empire continues to thrive, with 16 different scents in total, including the iconic White Diamonds and its derivatives.
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Elizabeth Taylor also recreated the scent from the 1960 film 'Scent of Mystery', in which she starred
Elizabeth Taylor was a passionate lover of fine fragrances and jewellery. In 1987, she blended her interests by releasing her first perfume, Passion, which was an instant hit. Over the years, she launched several other fragrances, including the iconic White Diamonds.
In 1960, Taylor starred in a film called Scent of Mystery, which incorporated Smell-O-Vision technology. This involved disseminating odors in theatres that timed with the film's plot. The film was a flop, and the Smell-O-Vision technology was considered a joke. However, the perfume created for Taylor's character, Sally Kennedy, in the film has been recreated by perfumer Marissa Zappas.
The original "Scent of Mystery" perfume was developed by perfumer Raoul Pantaleoni and included 60 ingredients in its formula. It was a sharp, spicy fragrance, and promotional bottles were given to the press and guests at the film's premiere in Chicago. There were plans to mass-produce and sell the perfume, but due to the film's failure, this never happened. Only one bottle of the promotional perfume was known to exist, belonging to Susan Todd, the daughter of the film's producer, Mike Todd Jr.
Marissa Zappas was tasked with recreating the "Scent of Mystery" perfume for the Her Scent of Mystery exhibition. She conducted chemical analysis to create a near replica of the original perfume, with some careful additions such as bergamot and powdery talc. The exhibition featured visual and olfactory elements, and small vials of the recreated perfume were sold to visitors.
The exhibition "Her Scent of Mystery" showcased the recreated perfume and paid tribute to the film's use of scent as an integral part of the storytelling experience. Elizabeth Taylor's involvement in the film and the exhibition's recreation of the perfume showcase her lasting impact on the world of fragrances.
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Frequently asked questions
Elizabeth Taylor's first perfume was Passion, released in 1987.
Elizabeth Taylor's second perfume was White Diamonds, released in 1991.
Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds perfume was inspired by her love of fine jewellery. The perfume is sold in a bottle decorated with small imitation white diamond gemstones.
Some flanker scents of Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds perfume include Sparkling White Diamonds, Brilliant White Diamonds, White Diamonds Lustre, White Diamonds Night, Love & White Diamonds, and White Diamonds En Rouge.











































