Givenchy will launch Dahlia Noir, a new fragrance named for an imaginary flower and inspired by Givenchy's haute couture under creative director Riccardo Tisci, in August.
Dahlia Noir is a powdery floral chypre; the notes include pink pepper, mandarin, mimosa, rose, iris, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla and tonka bean.
Givenchy Dahlia Noir will be available in 30, 50 and 75 ml Eau de Parfum. (via parfum-femme.prime-beaute)
Update: see a review of Givenchy Dahlia Noir.
Are there actually black dahlias?
I don’t think so. But there was a famous LA murder case that was nicknamed “the Black Dahlia.” Perhaps that’s the connection (and if so, that’s fairly disgusting).
Oops. We were typing at the same time.
I also think that the name is in pretty poor taste if they knew of the connection.
For those who don’t know, the Black Dahlia victim, Elizabeth Short, was not just killed. She was also tortured, and elaborately mutilated before and after death.
I hate being so judgemental, but the name alone just creeps me out given what happened to the original infamous Black Dahlia. Being a pretty regular reader of crime fic and non-fic, this case was absolutely horrifying and I don’t think I could get past that when push came to shove and I wanted to buy this. Assuming I’d like it enough to do so, that is. I know edge is in but I wish they wouldn’t try so hard as this just calls to mind the Eaudemadamoiselle promo theme and “Oh, we’re so dark and edgy!” when I’d just be happy to love a newer Givenchy again.
I don’t know…I don’t think the name is now so widely linked with that incident that it is tasteless to use it as a fragrance name. I bet most people have no idea who Elizabeth Short is.
I think this perfume may have been named for Elizabeth Short’s elegance rather than her tragic death. Elizabeth Short was a very elegant woman so the fragrance may have been named after her elegance, not after her murder. However, this fragrance’s name is still rather inapproproate to say the least….
There is a very dark burgundy dahlia that has black in the name, I think. But the name “Black Dahlia” generally refers to Elizabeth Short, and the nickname is assumed to be taken from the “Blue Dahlia” movie. So it kind of doesn’t matter…we can assume they mean the flower name as fictional, and since they didn’t use the English term, I assume they don’t want to associate with Elizabeth Short either. They probably just thought it sounded romantic and mysterious and femme fatale (they use the term “fleur fatale” in the ad copy).
And in case anyone wonders, here is (one explanation, I’ve seen others of) how Elizabeth Short got the name:
http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/post/how-the-black-dahlia-got-her-name.aspx
I love Givenchy and Riccardo Tisci, but I can’t honestly say this interests me.
Oh God, everything is noir these days – and this doesn’t sound remotely dark. The bottle looks rather masculine, even with the pink juice.
Agree the bottle is ugly and masculine.
The model looks like she is choking in that ugly pseudo-bondage outfit.
Givenchy has been cranking them out. She looks rather ill. Reminded me of the Bulgari Noir (Jasmine though) and so not an original idea (nor original note combo) that is for sure. Still, I would try it, because I am loyal and their are a few Givenchys I still love. Also, well, I am a perfume slut. Though not hopeful on this one.
I wish that Givenchy would get back to very serious fragrances. They used to have so many great clssics! And now it seems like they are just putting out market friendly fragrances. I don’t see the Les Mythiques offerings many places anymore but at discounters, which is not a good sign. This fragrance may be just fine, but it seems more marketing than juice.
They should put out a perfume that actually matches Riccardo Tisci’s aesthetic, especially if they’re going to claim that is what the scent was inspired by.
And even at the discountter the availability of Les Mythiques seems patchy. Makes me pretty darned cross. Either they want to sell the stuff, or they don’t. When the Mythiques came out I wondered if it was going to be the kiss of death fpr that group of classics.
Over at Dior, ‘Les Creations de Monsieur Dior’ also make me anxious. Same deal – wonderful classics in uniform, 100 ml bottles (and only in 100 ml bottles, nothing less). However, the Diors do seem to be much more widely available than the Mythiques.
Then again, if you don’t like the latest formulations, the whole argument is academic in any case.
I grow lots and lots of dahlias. The shade sometimes called black is more accurately described by florists and growers as chocolate. A gorgeous super dark burgundy brown that pairs perfectly with red, orange and yellow flowers in a vase. They are lovely and easy to grow and it’s a shame to to associate them (or a perfume for that matter) with the awful murder of Elizabeth Short. Silly decision on the part of the marketing department I’d say. Here is a photo of one:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2212044940067897995QbcNvJ
I’m actually quite excited for this – a little nervous about the “powdery” aspect, as that’s not what I tend to go for, but going to give it a go anyway. The ad campaign does seem a bit blah – exactly like 1000 others – but I like the masculine bottle. Kind of looks like Sean John’s I Am King? I think it’s cute…
Powdery Chypre… I am Excited! I Love The Ad… and LOVE The Bottle… Clean, Gothic, Stark and Dark… Very Tisci!! I find the connotation to the “Infamous” Black Dahlia Murder scintillatingly Provocative and Subverse… Kind of a SHOCK to the system and most definitely an Eyebrow-Raiser when asked what Perfume are you wearing! I like It… A LOT!
I like the ad too. Love Mariacarla + Riccardo Tisci.
I don’t really have an opinion on the bottle; it looks fine to me, though.
I’m still not particularly interested in the perfume, though.
OMG Loveee itttt! It’s SO Givenchy and really translates Ricardo tisci’s work. It seems they are rebuilding a new brand image and I think it’s gonna be great!
Can’t wait to smell it! The bottle is wonderfull and classic in the same time, so feminin 😉
I wasn’t interested enough in Givenchy’s perfumery but I guess I’m gonna change my mind!
Hi!
Does anyone know who made this fragrance? Frangrance house and/or perfumer.
Love Mariacarla Boscono.
A scent named ‘Dahlia Noir’ fronted by what looks like a dark creature and the juice is pink? And named after an imaginary flower but they’ve chosen to release a list of utterly common notes. I can’t decide if they’re trying too hard or not trying at all. In all that confusion you cannot get a sense of what they were aiming for or what it might smell like. Epic fail Givenchy.