Dana Cologne: Unveiling The Mystery Person

Dana is a perfume brand founded in Barcelona, Spain in 1932 by Javier Serra, a former executive of the Spanish perfume house, Myrurgia. The company was later headquartered in Paris before relocating to the US in 1940 during the German occupation of France in World War II. The brand is named after Danae, the mother of Perseus in Greek mythology, whose beauty was allegedly so great that her name became synonymous with female beauty. The brand's first launch was the women's oriental perfume, Tabu, by perfumer Jean Carles.

Dana is a perfume brand founded in 1932 in Barcelona, Spain

Javier Serra was a former executive of the Spanish perfume house, Myrurgia. His approach to the company was simple: work with talented people, create original products with the finest ingredients, and package them stylishly. The company has a long history of creating award-winning fragrances.

The House of Dana's first fragrance was Tabu, a powerful women's oriental perfume created by the famed perfumer Jean Carles. The fragrance was inspired by the mother of the brand's name, Danae, and was designed to be shockingly and frankly sexual. It features notes of patchouli, clove, oak moss, and benzoin, with a vanilla effect. Other notes include bergamot, neroli, orange, coriander, narcissus, clover, rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, civet, and amber.

In the years following its launch, Dana released several notable fragrances, including men's scents Canoe and English Leather, and women's scent Ambush. In 1940, the company relocated to the United States due to the German occupation of France during World War II.

Over time, Dana fragrances were re-tooled from prestige fragrances to mass-market products, making them accessible to all women. The company also acquired licenses for several classic perfumes originally produced by other houses, such as Chantilly, Love's Baby Soft, and Toujours Moi.

Today, Dana Classics continues to produce many of the original scents offered by the brand, as well as updated versions of beloved fragrances, such as Heaven Scent and Toujours Moi.

The company was founded by Javier Serra, a former executive of Spanish perfume house Myrurgia

The House of Dana was founded in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932 by Javier Serra, a lawyer and former executive of the Spanish perfume house Myrurgia. Serra was a pioneer in the beauty industry, and his approach was simple yet effective. He believed in working with talented people to create original products using the finest ingredients, packaged stylishly.

Serra named his company after Danae, the mother of Perseus in Greek mythology. Danae was said to be a great beauty, and her name has become synonymous with female beauty. The company logo, designed by Spanish artist Mariano Andreu, featured a stylized silhouette of a beautiful woman's head.

The House of Dana's first launch was the women's oriental perfume, Tabu, by famed French perfumer Jean Carles. The fragrance, now a classic, was the inspiration for later orientals such as Tuvara and Youth Dew. Carles used a high dose of patchouli (10%), combined with clove, oak moss, and benzoin to create a heavy, sexual scent.

In the years following its founding, the House of Dana launched several notable fragrances, including men's scents Canoe and English Leather and women's scent Ambush. The company relocated to Paris, France, shortly after its founding and then to the United States in 1940 due to the German occupation of France during World War II.

Over time, Dana fragrances were re-tooled from prestige fragrances to mass-market products, making them accessible to all women. The company has since changed hands several times, and today, Dana Classics continues to produce many of the original scents, as well as updated versions of some beloved fragrances.

The brand is named after Danae, the mother of Perseus in Greek mythology, who was famed for her beauty

The House of Dana, a perfume brand, was founded in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932 by Javier Serra, a former executive of the Spanish perfume house Myrurgia. The company was later headquartered in Paris before relocating to the United States in 1940 due to the German occupation of France during World War II.

The myth goes that Danae, the daughter of Acrisius (king of Argos) and his wife Eurydice, was locked away by her father after he heard a prophecy that his own grandson would be the death of him. Zeus, king of the gods, was struck by Danae's beauty and came to her while she was imprisoned, and she bore his child, Perseus.

Danae and Perseus were put into a wooden chest and cast into the sea, but they survived and washed ashore on the island of Seriphos, where they were taken in by a prince who raised Perseus as his own. The king of Seriphos was charmed by Danae's beauty, but she did not wish to marry him. The king was adamant and would only accept one thing in exchange for Danae's hand in marriage—the head of Medusa, who could turn men into stone. With the aid of the gods, Perseus was able to slay Medusa, freeing his mother from the king's wishes.

The House of Dana's first perfume was Tabu, created by French perfumer Jean Carles

The House of Dana was established in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932 by Javier Serra, a lawyer with a passion for beauty and luxury. The company's first launch was Tabu, a women's fragrance created by French perfumer Jean Carles.

Tabu is an oriental scent, inspired by the beauty of Danae, the mother of Perseus in Greek mythology, from whom the company takes its name. The fragrance was designed to be shockingly and frankly sexual, with an exceptionally high dose of patchouli (10%) combined with clove, oak moss and benzoin to create a vanilla effect. Other notes include bergamot, neroli, orange, coriander, narcissus, clover, rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, civet and amber.

The advertising campaign for Tabu featured the 1901 painting 'The Kreutzer Sonata' by René-Xavier Prinet, inspired by a novella of the same name by Leo Tolstoy. The painting depicts a violinist, overcome with passion, embracing his female accompanist. The tagline for the fragrance was "Tabu, the forbidden fragrance".

Tabu has become a classic in the world of perfume and remains a perennial bestseller, still in production today. It has inspired other oriental fragrances, including Tuvara (1948) and Youth Dew (1951).

In addition to Tabu, Jean Carles also created other notable Dana fragrances, including Canoe for men and Ambush for women. Over the years, Dana fragrances have evolved from prestige fragrances to mass-market products, accessible to all women.

Over time, Dana fragrances have changed from prestige scents to mass-market products

The House of Dana has a long and illustrious history in the fragrance world, with its roots stretching back to the early 20th century. Founded by Spanish-French perfumer Javier Serra in 1932, the brand took its name from his wife, Dana. The couple's shared passion for creating exquisite fragrances formed the foundation of the company. Over the years, the House of Dana has released a plethora of iconic perfumes and colognes, establishing itself as a prominent player in the fragrance industry.

One of their earliest successes was a fragrance simply named "Dana," a delicate floral bouquet with aldehydic accents, released in 1932. This scent set the tone for the brand, known for its elegant and sophisticated offerings. The House of Dana quickly gained a reputation for creating luxurious and prestigious fragrances, with their products gracing the vanity tables of the rich and famous. The brand's early years were defined by an air of exclusivity and luxury.

However, over time, the brand evolved, and its fragrances underwent a transformation. The House of Dana expanded its reach, transitioning from solely producing prestige scents to entering the mass market. This shift opened up their fragrances to a wider audience, making their products more accessible and affordable. The brand's focus shifted from catering exclusively to the upper echelons of society to offering their unique olfactory experiences to a broader market.

This transition was a strategic move by the company to adapt to the changing landscape of the fragrance industry. As competition increased and consumer preferences evolved, Dana fragrances had to evolve to remain relevant and competitive. By entering the mass market, they were able to reach a larger demographic, appealing to those who sought high-quality fragrances at more affordable price points. This evolution in their business model allowed them to maintain their standing in an increasingly crowded market.

The shift from prestige to mass-market involved changes in distribution channels, pricing strategies, and marketing approaches. Dana fragrances became more widely available, appearing on the shelves of department stores, pharmacies, and eventually, even supermarkets. Their pricing became more competitive, and their marketing campaigns targeted a broader audience, emphasizing value and accessibility without compromising the quality and elegance that the brand had become known for.

Despite this evolution, the House of Dana has remained true to its roots, continuing to create fragrances that capture the essence of sophistication and luxury. Even as their distribution channels expanded, the brand maintained the high standards of quality and craftsmanship that had initially defined their prestige fragrances. This careful balance between accessibility and elegance has become a hallmark of the House of Dana, allowing them to endure as a respected name in the fragrance industry for decades.

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