The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Fabulous Me belongs to Rabanne's PACOLLECTION, a 2019 set of six fragrances named Crazy Me, Dangerous Me, Erotic Me, Fabulous Me, Genius Me, and Strong Me. Each one offers a different angle on identity. Aliénor Massenet built this one around an unlikely trio: pumpkin, rhubarb, and sandalwood. Something quirkier. The kind of combination that either pulls you in or makes you reach for something safer. Massenet treats these ingredients in an unexpected way, creating a fragrance that moves away from more conventional choices.
The pumpkin-rhubarb pairing is the real surprise here. Together they create an accord that reads as green, tart, and almost savory, more vegetable patch than dessert table. The rhubarb's herbaceous bite balances the pumpkin's velvety sweetness. It's an unusual combination that actually works, grounded by sandalwood before it ever gets too sweet or one-note. The sandalwood anchors the composition, adding a creamy, warm depth that keeps the fragrance from becoming one-dimensional.
The evolution
The opening arrives in waves. First the pumpkin, not the cinnamon-spiced version from a latte, but something greener, almost raw. The rhubarb follows quickly, its tartness cutting through the sweetness like a lemon slice in sugar water. Together they create a scent that feels almost savory, like walking through a vegetable garden at golden hour. Then the sandalwood begins its slow takeover. The green notes soften, the rhubarb's bite dulls to a pleasant tartness, and the sandalwood emerges like a warm undercurrent. It's the quiet shift from garden to kitchen, from fresh picked to something baked and cooling on the counter. The drydown is where the fragrance settles into itself. The sandalwood takes over completely, projecting softly with a skin-close warmth that lingers for hours after application. On fabric it lasts even longer, leaving a trace that stays close and intimate rather than filling the room.
Cultural impact
Fabulous Me fits within the broader approach Rabanne has taken with its fragrance line. The pumpkin note signals something different, moving away from more traditional floral or citrus profiles toward a scent profile that appeals to those looking for something distinctive. This approach resonates with consumers who actively seek out fragrances that break away from standard perfume conventions. The combination of pumpkin with rhubarb and sandalwood creates something that feels both fresh and unconventional, a fragrance that holds its own against more established fragrance choices.
