In these short posts we'd like to present the latest unfinished articles, written in the years 2015 and 2016. We thought it was right to publish everything, even those notes that would become full-fledged articles. No changes have been made, the writings are in their raw state and therefore still incomplete.
A tribute to Drakkar Noir, by Guy Laroche.
(last script: March, 2016)
Drakkar Noir, created in 1981 by Pierre Wargnye at IFF, launched the following year by Guy Laroche Parfums, was one of the most iconic perfumes of the 1980s.
Actually Drakkar Noir was a flanker of "Drakkar", launched in 1972; it was the first time a flanker had a much greater success than the original.
Drakkar Noir was one of the most famous scents of the 80s, for having begun the massive use of the chemical substance dihydromyrcenol in perfumes. Dihydromyrcenol smells like a "laundry detergent", and the success of this scent was overwhelming, backed in 1988 by Cool Water by Davidoff, built around the same molecule.
One of the little known aspects of this perfume is that it had many reformulations over the years, but the most famous and rare version was the first, and for a specific reason.
When it was created in 1981, patchouli still was a predominant ingredient in perfumes. The second version (i.e. the first reformulation) created in 1989, almost completely removed the patchouli, considered too "1970s vibe", and left only a woody background.
In doing so, however, the scent was "distorted". Only a "fresh, woody, clean scent" remained. When you compare the first version of Drakkar Noir with the following ones, the difference is enormous, especially in the "base notes" and drydown.
The first version of Drakkar Noir was really a great scent. So, let's go in details:
Drakkar Noir had many different versions.
You can identify it by searching the year written beside "Copyright Parfums Guy Laroche Paris".
First version ("Copyright 1981"): years 1982–1989.
Second version ("Copyright 1989"): years 1989–1996.
Third version ("Copyright 1996"): years 1996–1998.
Fourth version ("Copyright 1998"): years 1998–1999.
Fifth version ("Copyright 1999"): years 1999–2004.
Sixth version ("Copyright 2004"): years 2004–2010.
Seventh version ("Copyright 2010"): years 2010–2015.
The most important and unique is the First Version, labelled "year 1981". All the others are more or less very similar to each other.
How to recognize the first version from the following ones?
First version (produced during years 1982–1989):
— "Textured" boxes with Drakkar logo.
— "Red & Brown frame" on the box.
— "Guy Laroche Paris", written in a single line on the front of box AND bottle.
Addresses:
"29, Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré" (between 1982–1986)
or
"9, Avenue Matignon" (between 1986–1989)
This is the original, first-formula "Drakkar Noir".
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| 25ml natural spray |
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| The 5ml/0.17oz. miniature. |
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| First Version After-shave (Spanish) |
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| First version EdT address: 9, Avenue Matignon |
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| Brochure |
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| Giant Factice (30cm.) |
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| Gift Set |
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| Gift set, inside |
Second version
Main clues:
-no "textured" boxes anymore
-the red&brown frame disappears.
-"Dotted" boxes;
- a grey-frame;
- The new bar-code on the box.
- during 1989-1991: "Guy Laroche/Paris" in a SINGLE line.
-during 1991-1996: "Guy Laroche/Paris" in TWO lines.
Addresses:
between 1989-1991: "9, avenue Matignon"
between 1991-1996 :"16, Place Vendome"
"Copyright Parfums Guy Laroche, Paris 1989" on the box.
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| Two 2nd-version boxes ("Copyright 1989") WTHOUT THE RED&BROWN FRAME ON THE BOX years 1989-1991 (left, "Guy Laroche Paris" in a single line) years 1991-1996 (right, "Guy Laroche Paris" in two lines) |
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| Bottom side with the new "DOTTED" BOXES upper box: batch UJKD = year 1989 lower box: batch UL4M = year 1991 (note the new address "16, Place Vendome") |
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| batch UKBB = year 1990 |
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| Since 1991: "Guy Laroche Paris" in TWO lines. |
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| Here is the "dotted" box |
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| Year 1992 |
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| Year 1992 |
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| Year 1996 |
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-Until year 2000: "distributed by Cosmair"
-After year 2000: "distributed by Luxury Products LLC"
Later versions
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| Fourth Version (tester) "Copyright 1998" |
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| Sixth version: "Copyright 2004" (fragrance code: B8789/1) |
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| Sixth version: year 2004 |
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| Seventh version "Copyright 2010" (fragrance code: B44507/2) |
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| Sixth version Copyright year 2004 (right) and Seventh version Copyright year 2010 (left) side by side |
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ReplyDeleteThis is really an awesome article. Thank you for sharing this.It is worth reading for everyone.
Buy Attars online
As always, factual meticulous and so helpful to the fragrance community, many blessings
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