Corrida by Louis Feraud c1966

Louis Féraud’s Corrida, originally launched in 1966 (with some sources incorrectly suggesting 1975), captures the essence of a bold, masculine fragrance tied to both its name and its composition. The name "Corrida" is a Spanish word that refers to a traditional bullfight, pronounced as "koh-REE-dah." The choice of such a dramatic, culturally rich name evokes images of passion, courage, and virility—characteristics often associated with bullfighters, or "toreros," who face life-threatening challenges in the arena. The word “Corrida” conjures a sense of raw, primal energy and evokes vivid scenes of sunlit arenas, the tension of the crowd, and the dance of man and beast. The emotional charge behind the name is one of daring adventure, a duel between instinct and control.

In scent form, Corrida would likely reflect these intense, visceral emotions. As a sporty fragrance for men, it would interpret the vibrancy of the arena with zesty top notes of lime and verbena, offering a sharp and refreshing citrus kick that mimics the adrenaline rush before the battle. The heart of the fragrance would delve into spices, symbolizing the heat, energy, and complexity of the fight, while the woods in the base offer a grounding, earthy finish that represents strength, endurance, and masculinity. The result is a fragrance that captures both the fiery drama of the moment and the lingering impact of the experience.

Men of the 1960s, when Corrida was first launched, would have related to the bold name and scent in a context of rising individuality, freedom, and personal expression. This era saw the emergence of men becoming more open to exploring their identities through grooming and fragrance, a shift from more conservative, understated scents. The name Corrida would have appealed to men who saw themselves as strong, dynamic, and adventurous—perhaps inspired by the rebellious spirit of the 1960s and the cultural fascination with Mediterranean lifestyles, particularly in fashion and cinema.

In terms of fragrance trends, Corrida was unique but not isolated. The 1960s saw a rise in sporty, fresh fragrances for men that embraced bold citrus and aromatic notes, moving away from the more traditional heavy, animalic colognes of the earlier decades. Corrida, with its sharp citrus, aromatic herbs, and robust woods, would fit within this emerging trend but distinguish itself through its powerful and evocative name, setting it apart as a scent that promised excitement, vitality, and a sense of risk-taking.

Ultimately, Corrida embodied both the freedom of the 1960s and the timeless ideals of masculine strength and sensuality, making it a distinctive choice for men who wanted a fragrance that not only smelled fresh but also told a story of daring and intensity.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a sporty fragrance for men featuring lime, verbena, spices, and woods.

• Top notes: lime, verbena, lemon, bergamot, lavender
• Middle notes: thyme, nutmeg, rosemary, pepper, clove
• Base notes: sandalwood, cedar, oakmoss, patchouli, cedar, vetiver, leather

Bottles:

Presented in the same chunky diamond-cut glass bottle as used for Feraud's Justine,  but this time in a sophisticated black . The box is masculine with a red name plaque on a black and white checked background, finished with a nut brown band. The scent, an Eau de Toilette, was available in four ounce and eight ounce splash bottles.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown. Still sold in 1975.