Chanel Coco, Givenchy Ysatis, and Paloma Picasso Paloma Picasso  + 3 perfumes from 1984 you should be wearing giveaway

1984 First untethered spacewalk, First Macintosh computer, John Galliano’s First fashion show

 1984 First untethered spacewalk, First Macintosh computer, First MTV Music Awards, John Galliano’s First fashion show, wiki

 “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”  – 1984, George Orwell

George Orwell’s iconic work of dystopian literature foretold the year 1984 as a totalitarian nightmare. In this “what-if” literary experiment, state indoctrination weakens the independence of individuals’ minds forcing them to live in a constant state of propaganda-induced fear. Orwell describes what happens to individual freedoms under a regime of oppression symbolized by Big Brother and the outcome is disconsolate. Ironically, the actual events of 1984 can be seen as gateways to new frontiers of freedom, innovation, and communication for future generations. The first Macintosh computer was released in January of 1984. It would become the first personal computer to gain commercial success. Its launch campaign featured an individual in brightly colored clothes smashing a Big-Brother-like character. Their message was clear: the real 1984 would not be like the world portrayed in George Orwell’s novel 1984. Innovation in technology and broadening of culture continued with the first untethered spacewalk by astronaut Bruce McCandless and the launch of the first annual MTV Music Awards. John Galliano’s first fashion show, featuring his line Les Incroyables, integrated menswear designs into women’s fashion. The year 1984 in fragrance proved to be outstanding and are being discovered by a new generation.

Chanel Coco Ines de la Fressange

 CHANEL Coco1984 and advertisement featuring Ines de la Fressange courtesy of CHANEL

Chanel Coco (Jacques Polge)1984: The 1980s was known for big hair, big shoulders, and big fragrances. Coco by Jacques Polge for Chanel was no exception. This powerhouse perfume is made for assured and dignified Queens with a certain smoldering sensuality. Known for its endurance and projection, Coco manages the rare balance of refined yet erotic poise. Its lineage can be found in the likes of YSL’s Opium and Estée Lauder’s Cinnabar, yet the golden heart of Coco adds a certain finesse. Chanel’s Coco is a spicy amber fragrance introduced by dried peaches and velvety spices, with an innovative balsamic resonance resting on a smooth, warm animalic base. Jacques Polge’s mastery of the amber background sets Coco apart and charms with its rare Mysore sandalwood, opoponax, and labdanum accompaniments that create the opulent backdrop (due to material restrictions and conservation efforts, Mysore sandalwood is not found in commercial fragrances today). A round spiciness opens the scent with clove and coriander nestled in juicy citrus. The peach-lacquered rose at the heart of Chanel’s Coco is the star of this masterpiece. A jasmine-inflected mimosa and orange blossom bouquet accents the glorious peachy rose with its resinous and flush petals. The base further enhances its deep and mellow balsamic qualities with tonka and civet. Coco is a radiant bombshell that matches the abundance and affluence of 1984. Notes: Bulgarian Rose, Coriander, Peach, Jasmine, Mandarin Orange, Clove, Orange Blossom, Mimosa, Clover, Amber, Mysore Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Civet, Opoponax, Vanilla, and Labdanum

 Givenchy Ysatis 1984

Givenchy Ysatis bottle, wiki and Vogue Magazine 1992 advertisement

Givenchy Ysatis (Dominque Ropion)1984: Ample and decadent, Givenchy’s Ysatis opens with a great sense of occasion. Tuberose is the glamorous star right out of the bottle, illuminated by sparkling aldehydes and redolent clove. There is a potent magic to Dominique Ropion’s special skill with florals and it shows here. The entire fragrance seems to take the narcotic aspects of tuberose (those fruity-lactonic peach, coconut, orris, and honey facets) and expands them like a crystal prism, repeating and magnifying the heady luxury of tuberose itself. These florals hold a heartbeat of fleshy warmth within their fine petals evoking the sensuality of a tropical evening. Layers of floral complexity unfold languorously during the journey of Givenchy Ysatis. Soapy-sweet and orange-tinged tuberose links up with jasmine, narcissus, and rose. Iris lends its powdered finery to a vintage-styled patchouli, modulating the sensual tuberose toward a touch of formality. Givenchy’s Ysatis blooms toward a woodsy base covering a gentile musky and mossy-resinous dry down. Finally, that fleshy warmth of castoreum and civet are seasoned with vanilla and joined to the soft wood foundation of sandalwood and vetiver. Lush and intoxicating, Givenchy’s Ysatis captures the exuberance of the 80s.  Notes: Aldehydes, Ylang-Ylang, Orange Blossom, Galbanum, Brazilian Rosewood, Coconut, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Tuberose, Jasmine, Narcissus, Carnation, Rum, Iris, Rose, Castoreum, Civet, Honey, Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Cloves, Amber, Patchouli, Musk, Vetiver, and Vanilla

Paloma Picasso Paloma Picasso 1984 Francis Bocris

Paloma Picasso Paloma Picasso and 1984 advertisement

 Paloma Picasso Paloma Picasso (Francis Bocris) In 1984 the highest-rated T.V. show, Dynasty, a gloriously over-the-top evening soap opera following the lives of the wealthy and formidable Carrington and Colby clans, might best epitomize the cut-throat world of money, power and boudoir scheming that 1980s business-oriented culture came to represent. And what fragrance can give catfights and caviar? Paloma Picasso’s Paloma Picasso, of course! Such a Diva scent, they named it twice. This animalic, spicy rose and oakmoss potion is a glorious 80s chypre. Lemon, bergamot, and neroli bring a sparkling shine to the jeweled floral bouquet of hyacinth, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and mimosa. Carnation and a lovely bitter-herbal coriander add flecks of airy relief through the scent. Deep into the heart of Paloma Picasso Paloma Picasso is one of the most opulent and sexiest roses I’ve experienced. Sophisticated, sensual, and vital – this rose is alive. Crimson petals with an eager cloven spiciness, ardent violet, and lush fruit are hypnotic. M. Francis Bocris creates a timeless and wearable classic with his deft hand integrating rich oakmoss and smoky vetiver. The animalics are honeyed, softly purring and well-integrated. Fallon Carrington would surely have preferred Paloma Picasso’s Paloma Picasso as her signature scent for its bold, ambitious, confident and stylish aplomb. Notes: Carnation, Coriander, Rose, Angelica, Neroli, Bergamot, Amalfi Lemon, Patchouli, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Mimosa, Oakmoss, Civet, Castoreum, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Musk, and Amber

~ Rachel K. Ng, Senior Contributor

Bottles my own, opinions my own.

best perfumes of 1984

 1984 Chanel Coco, Givenchy Ysatis, Paloma Picasso Paloma Picasso 

Thanks to Fragrance Vault we have 1 ml  samples of 1980s Givenchy Ysatis, and Paloma Picasso Paloma Picasso and late 1980s Coco by Chanel for one registered reader in the US. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying if you were around in 1984, or what you enjoyed about Rachel’s choices. Draw closes 6/27/2023

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10 comments

  • castlemicro says:

    Hello from Florida, and thank you to Rachel for the thoughtful article! Though I wasn’t around in 1984, I’ve always been fond of the 80s’ over-the-top style. These three scents sound like a real experience, and I’d love to give them a try.

  • Lacy says:

    I was born in the 70s, and remember my mom wore Ysatis. I bought it recently and it has a really nice ylang vibe. Great article because I think you connected it to history so well.
    Dominque Ropion of carnal flower 🙂

  • snowflake15 says:

    I was 7 in 1984 and remember my babysitter watching All My Children every day. Erica Cane played by Susan Lucca was the epitome of 1980s powerful women. The one thing I puzzled over until recently was why did she take her earring off to answer the phone? Because the earrings were as big as the shoulder pads in those days. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! NY state.

  • anaistwin says:

    i was 6 in 1984. i love paloma picasso, which i finally got to try recently-it’s intoxicating to me. I am not sure i smelled it back then. i definitely remember other 80s perfumes on the women in my world, just none of these 3! i’ve been wanting to try ysatis for a long time now, and this description is just gorgeous. thank you for the trip down memory lane-poison reminds me of a teacher i had at school, and giorgio of a “recess lady” as we called them back then. she always wore a ton of makeup, lots of yellow and huge sunglasses. she was so glamorous.

  • rachel says:

    I was 11 years old in 1984 and remember a lot about that year! I think Orwell got the date wrong in his book but he was remarkably prescient about the dangers to come. Rachel’s picks and descriptions are spot on and superb! I would love a chance to try these and be transported back to this exciting year. Thank you for the inspiration and the giveaway! From Brooklyn, NY.

  • mdellaroc says:

    The 80’s were like no other time. I miss it so. Anyway, the scents were all powerhouses, and I miss that too. In maryland.

  • foreverscents says:

    I was 17 years old in 1984. It was a glorious time for me: fake ID in hand, hanging out in New York City, going to concerts, watching Dynasty, having older friends who told me all about the lies my teachers were telling me. I loved Tina Turner’s song 1984 from her Private Dancer album. I really didn’t know much about perfume, but I most certainly smelled the big powerhouses of the 80s. I enjoyed reading Rachel’s choices. I really want to try them all, especially Coco by Chanel.
    I live in the USA.

  • mmerline says:

    Not to age myself, but I wasn’t around in 1984, so this retrospective was both very interesting and very informative. (The only perfume from this era I’m very familiar with is Givenchy Xeryus.) And what choices! Coco with its increasingly uncommon Mysore sandalwood, animalic notes, and balsamic amber; the heady floral bouquet of Givenchy Ysatis; the vintage rose and chypre structure of Paloma Picasso. Of the three, I’d seek out Paloma Picasso, knowing I haven’t tried many rose fragrances and want to hone my nose a little. The oakmoss and vetiver base also sounds exceptional. Great list, Rachel!

    I’m in the midwest, USA. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Christie says:

    I was around in 1984. I graduated high school in 1985. These fragrances bring back memories of my parents dinner parties. Nobody went out to dinner. You had guests at your home. My job was to take their coats and hang them in the coat closet. They all smelled like 1980’s powerhouse fragrances. I can still remember it and I loved every minute of it.

    Thanks for the fun read and the giveaway. In the USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the nice writeup Rachel. I absolutely loved reading about all 3 fragrances and I have a hard time choosing between them.

    I love how these fragrances of yesteryear were so bold and signature defining. The use of animalics was also somethnig that was quite common and it seems like we have moved into a puritan culture of wanting to smell like daisies, especially in the US.

    Cheers from WI, USA