Hey Posse. Teo Cabanel is a French company in business since the end of the 19th century. Caroline Ilacqua inherited the company in 2003 at the tender age of 22. After graduating in International Business in Paris and Dublin, she worked in advertising with Ogilvy & Mather. Only months later, her godmother, the daughter of Théodore Cabanel, named her sole heir of the Téo Cabanel brand. Now that’s a story! Amazing.
Julia by Jean-Francois Latty for Teo Cabanel 2005
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Mandarin, rhubarb leaves, black currant
Heart: Jasmine, violet, hyacinth
Base: Sandalwood, incense, citruses, raspberry, musk
Radiant fruits mix with in sheer profusion with the unmistakeable hint of rhubarb, freshly picked from the back yard. Already at opening Julia has hints of the hyacinth and violet to come. It’s that gorgeous cut stem waxy greenness that is both cooling and elegant. So I say it as if they scent is photo realistic but it’s not. It’s a very perfume reference through the heart and isn’t astounding or breathtaking but it is youthful and fresh. Julia is pretty and lovely and utterly wearable. I can so imagine it becoming an easy, breezy favourite fragrance of someone perfectly poised, or needing to be. Not pushy or over the top Julia is pleasant without being boring.
March felt it was a perfect scent for her young daughter and I can completely understand how that would be a perfect fit. What I don’t agree with though is that women would be silly wearing it. Nope. I think it’s an aloof floral, bursting with the promise of life but from a distance.
Dry down is a soft focus woodsy musk sweetened ever so slightly by berries, it keeps the lively prettiness going right to the end.
I think this particular style became very popular by 2010 and so it doesn’t seem as new, fresh or vibrant as it did in 2005. That’s a shame because Julia has a lot of beauty to offer the person who takes the time to “get it.” My personal relative equivalent is Tocca, but much more refined and the ingredients feel more luxe. Actually, more on a par with the Louis Vuitton fragrances but at a fraction of the cost. Perfect wedding fragrance, subtle but memorable.
Further reading: Perfume Posse
Teo Cabanel have €85/50ml and ship to the world
Surrender To Chance have samples from $4/ml
Do you like any of the Teo Cabanel range?
Portia xx
If you have enjoyed this then please pop over to Australian Perfume Junkies and continue the scented conversation.
We love visitors, say HI while you’re there.
Oooh! I have never tried this line, but I love rhubarb as a note!
Hey HeidiC,
The line is very nicely done. Spritz & go stuff.
Portia xx
I have samples of the line, and a bottle of Alahine. Which is a big favorite for colder weather. I did like Julia; I can totally see it as a wedding perfume.
Hey there Mmkinpa,.
Alanine is yummy. I have a 50ml bottle of it here too.
Portia xx
I have Julia, Oha and Alahine and enjoy them all. Barkhane is nice too. Not a big distribution of these scents but I like the line.
Hi TaraC,
Yeah I REALLY love Barkhane too. Every year since it came out I say to myself I’m going to the Paris store to buy it in situ but every year we get busy elsewhere and I don’t. Maybe next year.
Portia xx
I once got samples of the entire Teo Cabanel line. Don’t know what I did with them. I thought I liked Alahine enough to get a full bottle, so I did. When it arrived I had a complete reversal. It just didn’t work right on my skin. My Dear Daughter loved it, so I gifted the bottle to her. It really does smell different on her skin. If I ever get around to organizing my sample stash, I’ll have to look for the Teo Cabanel scents again.
Hey Tatiana,
Story of all perfumistas lives I reckon. We are so naughty.
I hope you find the samples one day.
Portia xx