This news is going to genuinely bring great joy to the thousands of people who search for Aqua Manda fragrance on-line every year. It’s one of those retro fragrances that holds so many memories for people that they’d give anything to capture the scent again. There are Facebook pages and web-sites dedicated entirely to bringing back the Aqua Manda.
If you’ve never heard of Aqua Manda, then you’re clearly far too young! It was developed in 1947 but only really gained a cult following in the 70’s. In fact, Aqua Manda was the scent of the 70’s. You could buy it in independent chemists and also department stores, and anyone who lived through this era would instantly recognise the distinctive amber bottle and vibrant labelling.
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Late last year, a couple of London based guys who run a successful distribution company – Bob and Neal – discovered that they could buy the trademark for Aqua Manda (it had been discontinued in 1975 by ICI who bought it from Goya leaving the Aqua Manda trademark not owned by anyone). So they snapped it up, and have set about faithfully recreating the original orange and oriental scent (with help from Christopher Collins, the son of Douglas who created Aqua Manda in the beginning). As I type, the original formula that was sent in an unopened bottle is being lab-tested so that it can be made identical – or as near to identical as it can possibly be. It’s all down to the skill of the noses to reproduce effectively. You’ll notice that the label now says London – originally it said Goya.
We’re looking at this going on shelves – if all goes to plan – by mid-summer this year. I actually think my mum had some Aqua Manda talc.. I might ask her if she still has it (she is a terrible talc hoarder).
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15 comments
whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa my youth …after Christmas my whole year was a cloud of Aqua Manda talc in the changing rooms at middle school between 11 to 13 plus every school disco was the heady scent of not very subtle over laying of the various Aqua Manda products ….. love it
OMG!
Wow, now there’s a blast from the past, I used to hide my tin of Aqua Manda Talc under my mattress so my little sister wouldn’t steal it, it was the first grown up present I ever had off my nan 🙂 Jude xx @jadlgw
When I was young girl and my family all lived together, a time we can all remember when the world felt safe and we we’re in a rush to discover it. I remember my big sister, 11 years my senior getting ready to go out, she always dressed beautifully and always wore Aqua Manda. When the coast was clear I would visit her room and play with all her beauty products. I’d make myself up the best I could and liberally apply Aqua Manda. I thought it and myself were so glamorous – for a few moments I WAS my glamorous older sister ! I can’t wait to smell it again and remember those good times.
It used to be advertised on Radio Luxembourg, I think they might have sponsored the chart show too. And there was an Aqua Citra. All very seventies, Mary Quant did a natural line with similar sort of packaging.
Cant believe it! Orange & brown Aqua Manda…….talc & especially bath oil in brown glass? bottle….had forgotten all about it!Think Aqua Citra was yellow & brown [obviously] but didnt like it ,smelt like sherbet lemons.What an interesting story.Thought Goya was the height of chic/glamour.It post dated Evening in Paris by Bourjois for me & later I was keen on In Love by Norman Hartnell,but too embarassed to divulge its name if asked! What memories!
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Want, want, want!!
LOVE the packaging! Dying to try this…
Yes, I remember Aqua Manda, and loved it. Also loved Sea Jade. Hope they both come out again – in Canada as well, which is where I now reside.
I do hope it will be the same and not updated for today’s market, as fragrances have changed a great deal.
Wow, what a blast from the past! My mum had Aqua Manda in the 70s – it seemed so exotic! I preferred Aqua Citra – that smell of sherbet lemons always does it for me.
Can’t wait to try Aqua Manda again – loved it in the 70s and no other fragrance ever came close. Any update on when and where it can be found?
Absolutely LONG for Aqua Manda again – so does my middle sister, who’s of that era, too. Wonderful rose-tinted (and orange-scented) memories of long early-70s summers on the beach or rowing up the canal at Bude, picnics, smoking Consulate, drinking cider, James Taylor and Carole King the soundtrack… anyone who can recreate Aqua Manda just as we knew it (remember the lovely oiliness of it? And the oatmeal soap?) would be on to a gold mine…”
PS: While we’re at it, how about bringing back Faberge’s Xanadu and Kiku (talcum powder in a yellow plastic globe with a tassel), Yardley’s Flair, Reverie and Sea Jade, Houbigant (can’t remember the perfume’s name), the little black velvet cats holding a phial of Coty scent (?)and Hai Karate? Happy memories all bottled up!
My gosh what a blast from the past! My ultra cool young Aunty always had Aqua Citra soap and body powder, then later Aqua Manda as well… aqua citra was my fave – like wearable sherbet lemons!