Tocade by Coryse Salomé, first launched in 1957 and later relaunched in 1968, carries a name that is psychologically charged and distinctly French. Tocade is a French word, pronounced as "toh-KAHd". It refers to a sudden infatuation, a passing obsession, a headlong emotional impulse—something felt intensely and immediately, without calculation. Unlike grand, eternal love, a tocade is spontaneous, modern, and a little reckless. By choosing this name, Coryse Salomé signaled a fragrance inspired not by tradition or ceremony, but by impulse, freedom, and emotional immediacy.
The word Tocade evokes vivid imagery: a quickened heartbeat, a decisive turn of the head, a woman striding through the city streets with purpose and confidence. It suggests clarity rather than nostalgia, freshness rather than ornament. Emotionally, it conveys alertness, independence, and modern desire—a woman who knows what she wants and acts on instinct. As a perfume name, it feels youthful and intelligent rather than romanticized, aligning perfectly with a fragrance meant to be worn daily, in motion, in real life.
The original 1957 launch places Tocade squarely in the postwar modernist era, a time when Europe was rebuilding materially and psychologically. Fashion was transitioning from the structured elegance of Dior’s New Look toward cleaner lines and functional chic. Women were increasingly visible in professional and urban environments, and there was a growing appetite for perfumes that felt fresh, intelligent, and wearable, rather than overtly glamorous or heavy. In perfumery, this era saw a move toward citrus, green notes, and transparent florals—scents that conveyed optimism, cleanliness, and modernity. Tocade fit seamlessly into this shift, yet stood out for its decisiveness and restraint.
By the time Tocade was relaunched in 1968, its message felt even more relevant. The late 1960s were defined by social change, youth movements, and a rejection of rigid norms. Fashion embraced shorter hemlines, bold simplicity, and individuality; women were redefining femininity on their own terms. A perfume called Tocade—suggesting emotional freedom and instinct—would have resonated deeply with women seeking self-expression rather than adherence to tradition. It was not about seduction in the classical sense, but about presence, movement, and autonomy.
Interpreted through scent, Tocade becomes an olfactory expression of clarity and impulse. Italian citron, prized for its refined bitterness and aromatic brightness, opens the fragrance with a crisp, green citrus snap that feels alert and energizing. Unlike sweeter citrus varieties, Italian citron is dry and elegant, lending sophistication rather than playfulness. Jasmine anchors the floral heart, clean and luminous rather than indolic—feminine without softness—its radiance enhanced by subtle synthetic supports that extend freshness and diffusion. The florality is present but controlled, reflecting modern femininity rather than romantic excess.
The base introduces quiet warmth and confidence. Vetiver provides structure with its dry, rooty elegance, while patchouli adds depth in a refined, woody form rather than earthy heaviness. Ambergris contributes a subtle mineral warmth and glow, softening the composition and enhancing longevity, while musk—used lightly—wraps the fragrance in a clean, skin-like finish. The overall effect is balanced and assured: green and fresh, yet unmistakably feminine.
In the context of other fragrances on the market, Tocade was very much in dialogue with contemporary trends, yet it expressed them with unusual clarity. While many perfumes of the era explored freshness, few combined citrus, floral, and woody elements with such restraint and decisiveness. Tocade did not aim to dazzle—it aimed to move. Its uniqueness lay in its emotional positioning: not a dream, not a memory, but an instinctive choice. A fragrance for women who lived in the city, navigated seasons and schedules, and wanted a scent that felt like an extension of themselves.
Ultimately, Tocade was a perfume of its time—and quietly ahead of it. Its name, composition, and spirit all speak to modern femininity: spontaneous, clear-eyed, and self-directed. It was not a declaration of love, but a declaration of presence.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? Tocade is classified as a citrusy floral woody fragrance for women. Contains jasmine, Italian citron, vetiver, patchouli, ambergris, and musk. A modern, clean, decisive, fresh, and green fragrance with a floral dominance of jasmine and citron, warmed and feminized by a woody note, very lightly musky. A contemporary perfume, ideal for city wear—whether in winter or summer, under furs or over sweaters.
- Top notes: Italian citron, lemon, petitgrain, bergamot, neroli, green notes
- Middle notes: galbanum, plum, raspberry, heliotrope, honeysuckle, lily of the valley, geranium, jasmine, rose, ylang ylang, violet, orris
- Base notes: cinnamon, civet, ambergris, musk, vetiver, patchouli, oakmoss, almond, sandalwood, cedar
Scent Profile:
Tocade opens with a rush of clarity and green light, an introduction that feels distinctly urban and modern. Italian citron leads the way—brighter and more aromatic than standard lemon, with a dry, slightly bitter peel that releases a sparkling, almost crystalline freshness. Citron from Italy is especially prized for its balance: less sharp than Sicilian lemon, more elegant and nuanced, with a faint floral undertone that feels refined rather than acidic. Lemon reinforces this brightness, while bergamot, traditionally sourced from Calabria, adds a sophisticated citrus-floral softness, its gentle bitterness smoothing the sharper edges.
Petitgrain, distilled from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree, contributes a green, woody-citrus nuance—cool, slightly bitter, and aromatic—while neroli, from orange blossoms, floats above with a delicate, honeyed radiance. Beneath it all, green notes, shaped by modern aroma chemicals, evoke crushed leaves, fresh stems, and cool shade, extending the freshness and giving the opening its clean, decisive snap.
As Tocade develops, the fragrance blossoms into a complex, multi-faceted floral heart, where greenery, fruit, and powder intertwine. Galbanum introduces a sharp, resinous green—intensely vegetal, almost sappy—adding structure and a chic austerity that keeps the florals crisp. Soft plum and raspberry notes appear next, subtle and diffused, lending a muted fruitiness that feels more like the scent of ripe skin than juice.
Heliotrope brings a gentle almond-vanilla powderiness, smoothing transitions and adding a cosmetic softness, while honeysuckle and lily of the valley contribute airy sweetness and spring-like freshness. Lily of the valley, recreated entirely through aroma molecules, sparkles with green-white clarity, lifting the bouquet and enhancing its transparency.
At the heart of Tocade’s identity lies jasmine, luminous and clean rather than indolic, its white petals glowing with restrained sensuality. Supported by synthetics that enhance diffusion and longevity, the jasmine feels modern and polished, never heavy. Geranium adds a green, rosy sharpness—peppered and slightly minty—bridging floral and aromatic facets.
Rose lends a soft, velvety elegance, while ylang-ylang, sourced from tropical regions such as the Comoros, introduces a creamy, exotic warmth, subtly rounding the florals. Violet and orris (iris root) add a cool, powdery undertone—violet leafy and slightly metallic, orris smooth, suede-like, and aristocratic—giving the heart a refined, tactile softness that feels distinctly feminine yet contemporary.
The base of Tocade is where its freshness is gently warmed and grounded. Vetiver, often sourced from regions like Haiti for its elegance, contributes a dry, earthy woodiness—rooty, green, and faintly smoky—adding structure without heaviness.
Patchouli deepens the base with a clean, refined earthiness rather than a dark, camphoraceous weight, its modern treatment softened by aroma chemicals that highlight its woody facets. Oakmoss adds a forest-floor depth—cool, slightly bitter, and green—while sandalwood offers creamy smoothness, its milky woodiness enhanced by synthetics that extend its warmth and diffusion. Cedar brings dry, pencil-shaving clarity, sharpening the woody structure.
A subtle spice from cinnamon flickers briefly, warming the composition, while almond echoes the heliotrope’s powdery sweetness. Ambergris imparts a radiant, mineral warmth—salty, skin-like, and quietly animalic—enhancing longevity and glow. Civet, used here with restraint, adds a whisper of animal warmth, immediately softened and civilized by musk, which envelops everything in a clean, intimate haze. Modern musk molecules ensure the fragrance clings gently to the skin, light and personal rather than overtly sensual.
Together, these elements form a fragrance that feels unmistakably contemporary: green, floral, and clean, yet softly warmed by woods and musks. Tocade is decisive without being severe, feminine without excess sweetness—a perfume that moves effortlessly through city life, equally at home under winter furs or layered over summer knits, leaving behind an impression of clarity, confidence, and modern elegance.
Product Line:
In 1969/1970 through 1972/1973, the parfum was available in bottles of various sizes (1/8 oz to 2 oz); frosted glass bottles (0.25 oz, 0.5 oz, 1 oz); and a refillable atomizer. Also available were: Parfum de Toilette (atomizer and refill); Eau de Toilette Splash; and Eau de Toilette Spray.
Fate of the Fragrance:
Although the precise date of its discontinuation remains undocumented, this version of Tocade eventually disappeared from regular production, its presence fading quietly rather than with any formal announcement. It was, for a time, a distinctly modern expression—clean, green, and urban in character—and its withdrawal likely reflected shifting market priorities, brand realignments, or changing tastes rather than any lack of merit. Like many contemporary perfumes of its era, it existed fully in its moment, serving a clientele drawn to clarity, freshness, and understated sophistication.
It is important to note that this fragrance should not be confused with Tocade by Rochas, launched in 1994, which is a completely different creation in both composition and spirit. The later Rochas perfume is known for its plush, gourmand-leaning floral sweetness and romantic exuberance, whereas the earlier Tocade described here was defined by its citrusy green freshness, jasmine-led florality, and restrained woody-musky base. Aside from sharing a name, the two fragrances have no artistic or olfactory connection, and distinguishing between them is essential when discussing their place in perfume history.