Seamus Hammond
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, and its first perfume was Tabu. The fragrance has top notes of spices, orange, coriander, neroli, and bergamot; middle notes of cloves, ylang-ylang, narcissus, jasmine, and rose; and base notes of amber, civet, benzoin, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, oakmoss, vetiver, and cedar. While the original formulation of Tabu is highly regarded, there have been newer versions released over the years, with the most recent version in 2016 being criticized for its watered-down scent and synthetic smell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Tabu by Dana |
| Perfumer | Jean Carles |
| Year of Launch | 1932 |
| Type | Oriental Floral |
| Top Notes | Spices, Orange, Coriander, Neroli, Bergamot |
| Middle Notes | Cloves, Ylang-Ylang, Narcissus, Jasmine, Rose, Lily of the Valley, Heliotrope |
| Base Notes | Amber, Civet, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Musk, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Cedar |
| Advertisement Tagline | "Tabu, the forbidden fragrance" |
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What You'll Learn
Tabu by Dana was created in 1932
Tabu by Dana, an Oriental Floral fragrance for women, was created in 1932 by French perfumer Jean Carles. Carles was instructed by Javier Serra, the founder of Dana Parfums, to create a scent that a prostitute would wear, or "un parfum de puta". The result was a sensual and shocking fragrance with top notes of spices, orange, coriander, neroli, and bergamot; middle notes of cloves, ylang-ylang, narcissus, jasmine, and rose; and base notes of amber, civet, benzoin, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, oakmoss, vetiver, and cedar. The combination of these notes created a warm, spicy, and complex fragrance that became a classic in the perfume world.
The House of Dana was established in 1932 in Barcelona, Spain, by lawyer Javier Serra, and the launch of Tabu was its first perfume. The name "Tabu" was inspired by the cover of Sigmund Freud's book "Totem and Taboo" that Serra came across while walking down a street in Nice, France. The marketing campaign for Tabu featured a long-running print advertisement that reproduced the 1901 painting "La Sonate à Kreutzer" by French artist René-Xavier Prinet. The painting, inspired by the novella of the same name by Leo Tolstoy, depicted a violinist overcome with passion, embracing his female piano accompanist. This advertisement evoked the dreams of forbidden but exciting terrain opening up to the woman who wears the perfume, with the slogan "Tabu, the forbidden fragrance".
Over the years, Tabu by Dana has undergone several iterations and reformulations. The vintage formula, which was manufactured in Mountain Top, PA, from 1963 to around 2000, is highly sought-after by perfume enthusiasts. The newer versions available in drugstores are often criticized for being inferior in quality and lacking the warmth and complexity of the original. However, Dana has also released special editions, such as "1932 by Tabu," which was relaunched in 2015 as a softer, spicier version of the classic fragrance.
Today, Tabu by Dana remains an iconic fragrance with a rich history. Its unique blend of oriental notes and provocative marketing campaign have left a lasting impact on the world of perfumery, with many people cherishing their vintage bottles and others discovering the newer iterations. The evolution of Tabu by Dana over the decades showcases the enduring appeal of this classic fragrance.
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It is an oriental floral fragrance for women
Tabu by Dana is an oriental floral fragrance for women. It was created by French perfumer Jean Carles in 1931 or 1932, as the first perfume of the House of Dana, which was established in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932.
Tabu is a warm, spicy, and sweet fragrance, with top notes of bergamot, orange, neroli, coriander, and spice; heart notes of clove, ylang-ylang, jasmine, narcissus, rose, and lily of the valley; and base notes of patchouli, civet, benzoin, vanilla, sandalwood, cedar, musk, oakmoss, and vetiver. The fragrance is known for its long-lasting scent that requires minimal reapplication.
The name "Tabu" is said to have been inspired by the Sigmund Freud book "Totem and Taboo", and the perfume was famously designed to be "un parfum de puta" or "a perfume a prostitute would wear". The advertising campaign featured a reproduction of the 1901 painting "La Sonate à Kreutzer" or "The Kreutzer Sonata" by René-Xavier Prinet, inspired by a novella of the same name by Leo Tolstoy. The painting and the fragrance's slogan, "Tabu, the forbidden fragrance", evoke dreams of forbidden but exciting terrain.
Tabu has been described as a classic, well-constructed fragrance, with a unique combination of notes that make it stand out in the world of oriental perfumes. It has been a signature scent for women for almost a hundred years and continues to be a relevant and beloved fragrance today.
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It was created by French perfumer Jean Carles
Tabu, the classic oriental fragrance, was first launched in 1932 by the House of Dana. The perfume was created by the legendary French perfumer Jean Carles, who was known for his wonderful creations made from unusual materials.
Jean Carles was a visionary perfumer, a dedicated educator, and a mentor to many. He founded the Givaudan Perfumery School, which has made a significant impact on the fragrance industry by passing on its expertise to generations of young perfumers. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of perfumers who seek to make their mark in the world of fragrance.
Before creating Tabu, Carles was instructed to make a "perfume for a whore" ("un parfum de puta"). The result was a sensual and shocking fragrance with a luscious oriental floral composition. It starts with fresh citrus and spicy notes, followed by a heart of exuberant flowers, and ends with a warm oriental base of amber, resins, civet, and precious woods.
Carles developed a groundbreaking training technique known as the Jean Carles Method, which is still widely used today to train novice perfumers. This method involves arranging 60 odourants in a table format, organised by classes such as floral or woody. Students first learn the contrasts between these classes of odourants and then proceed to compare and contrast the materials within each class. This technique allows perfumers to memorise and understand perfumery materials and their combinations effectively.
In addition to Tabu, Jean Carles also composed other outstanding perfumes of his era, including Miss Dior, Ma Griffe, and Shocking de Schiaparelli.
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It is a cheap, classic, and well-constructed fragrance
Tabu by Dana, the classic oriental fragrance, was first launched in 1932. It is an affordable fragrance with a sensual and shocking reputation. Its top notes include spices, orange, coriander, neroli, and bergamot, while its heart notes are made up of clove, ylang-ylang, narcissus, jasmine, and rose. The base notes are warm and oriental, with amber, civet, sandalwood, and patchouli.
The fragrance was created by Jean Carles, who was instructed to make a scent for a "whore" ("un parfum de puta"). The result was a full-bodied, sweet, and spicy fragrance with a unique personality. It is said to be "whorish" in its approachability, with a friendly and sexy character. The marketing campaign for Tabu played into this, with advertisements featuring women lost in reverie before an iconic image of a couple in a passionate embrace.
The name "Tabu" was inspired by the founder of Dana Parfums, Javier Serra, who came across the cover of Sigmund Freud's book "Totem and Taboo" and decided to name the perfume after the word "taboo". The long-running print advertisement for Tabu also featured a reproduction of the 1901 painting "La Sonate à Kreutzer" by French artist René-Xavier Prinet. The painting, inspired by a novella by Leo Tolstoy, depicted a violinist overcome with passion, embracing his female piano accompanist. This image, along with the fragrance's name, evoked dreams of forbidden but exciting terrain, a departure from the ordinary world.
Despite being an affordable fragrance, Tabu is well-constructed and has a complex scent. It is a classic, with a rich history and unique character, making it a well-loved and memorable fragrance.
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It is a supremely feminine fragrance
Tabu by Dana is a supremely feminine fragrance that evokes old Hollywood style and sophistication. Created in 1932 by French perfumer Jean Carles, it has endured as a signature scent for women for almost a century. With its warm and spicy notes, it is a perfect fragrance for the fall and winter seasons.
The top notes of Tabu feature spicy bergamot, fresh lemon, basil, tarragon, and juicy orange, creating a vibrant and invigorating opening. This is followed by soft floral heart notes, including jasmine, lily of the valley, rose, and narcissus, which add a delicate and romantic touch to the fragrance. The middle notes of ylang-ylang, heliotrope, and neroli bring a touch of sweetness and creaminess to the scent.
The base notes of Tabu are where its feminine allure truly comes to life. Earthy and sensual, these notes include patchouli, oakmoss, sandalwood, and cedar, blended with soft creamy musk, vanilla, benzoin, and vetiver. The combination of these base notes creates a warm, inviting, and long-lasting fragrance that lingers on the skin throughout the day.
Tabu's unique composition challenges gendered associations, transcending typical masculine and feminine stereotypes. Its strength and enduring quality as an oriental-style fragrance, with its earthy base notes and animalic/civet hints, make it a versatile scent that can be enjoyed by all who appreciate its complex and alluring aroma.
Over the years, Tabu has maintained its relevance and allure, with many women continuing to wear it as their signature scent. It evokes a sense of forbidden excitement and glamour, making it a perfect choice for women who want to feel bold, sensual, and sophisticated.
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Frequently asked questions
Tabu by Dana was first launched in 1932 and is still available today. However, the newest version of the fragrance has a dry-down after about an hour to a sweet carnation with faint amber and a touch of patchouli.
The top notes of the newest Tabu fragrance are spicy bergamot, fresh lemon, basil, tarragon, and juicy orange.
The middle notes of the newest Tabu fragrance are jasmine, lily of the valley, rose, ylang-ylang, heliotrope, and narcissus.
The base notes of the newest Tabu fragrance are patchouli, oakmoss, musk, benzoin, vanilla, sandalwood, cedar, and vetiver.
