French fragrances are loved around the world, often dominating lists of bestselling perfumes. Some of the world’s highest-quality ingredients are produced in the Grasse province and Paris is home to legendary names in the perfume industry such as Chanel and Christian Dior.
Nina Ricci is a well known French perfumes brand that was launched in France in the year 1949. With her son, Robert, Nina Ricci opened her elegant Parisian couture house in 1932, specializing in luxury fashion and fragrance . Madame Ricci exuded a flair for fashion, capturing the personality of her clients in her designs for them. Robert encouraged his mother’s exploration into perfumery with the Ricci house’s first perfume, Nina, followed by Premier Jour and Les Belles line.
One of the leading purveyors of contemporary luxury items, Givenchy products are known for their refined designs enlivened with a touch of fantasy and epitomizing the ultimate in international chic. Their approach is based on the spirit of French culture nourished by savoir-vivre and fragrances are designed to convey a wide range of emotions. Ysatis perfume was launched in 1984; Amarige perfume in 1991; and Organza fragrance in 1996, each to critical acclaim. Very Irrésistible Givenchy, launched in 2003 and promoted by actress Liv Tyler, combines both femininity and boldness in a unique perfume.
Founded in 1930, Le Galion has a long heritage of creating prestigious fragrances. The perfume house has provided brands including Christian Dior with many raw materials and it produced the concentrated formula from which Miss Dior was blended. The great nose behind the house was Paul Vacher who is widely regarded as one of the greatest masters of perfumery of the 20th century. Relaunched in 2014, Le Galion offers classic feminine fragrances and has retained its art deco 1930s-style packaging. Scents range from the famous Sortilege Elixir, worn by Marilyn Monroe, to the spicy Snob.
The Yves Saint Laurent history of fragrances is punctuated by successes. Ever since the 1964 creation of «Y», more than 50 years ago, YSL Beauté has produced true olfactory sociological markers. Born in Algeria in 1936, Yves Saint Laurent left home at the age of 17 to study fashion design in Paris . After graduation, he showed some of his drawings to the editor of Vogue, who in turn showed them to Christian Dior, who immediately hired Saint Laurent. Though he was an assistant and was given menial and mundane tasks, he did not go unnoticed.
Paco Rabanne presented his first fragrance, Calandre, in 1969. Meant for an active woman, it’s a cypress-heavy perfume that was considered revolutionary for its time. In 1973, he introduced his first men’s fragrance, Paco Rabanne pour Homme, which was the first aromatic scent on the market. Other noted Paco Rabanne fragrances include XS pour Elle, Eau De Paco Rabanne Cologne, Ultraviolet, La Nuit Perfume for Women, Liquid Crystal Perfume, Liquid Metal Cologne, Metal Perfume…
Guerlain is one among the French houses of perfumes that is the oldest perfumes in the world. It has an unbelievably oversized fan following. In 1889, Aimé Guerlain created his first masterpiece, Jicky. It was classified straightaway as “the first modern perfume”. This complex creation was also the first unisex fragrance in perfumery. It marked a beginning of emotive perfumery, which no longer tried to copy the odour of flowers but instead aimed to stir the emotions. Guerlain Idylle is one among perfumes of this list that have driven the international consumers crazy.
Thierry Mugler is a creator of perfumes and also a French tailor. In the year 2005, Thierry Mugler created a fragrance named Alien. And since then, it has been the second most loved Thierry Mugler fragrance. The brand has created an entirely original form of Haute Perfumerie through its Limited Edition collections such as Taste of Fragrance, Fragrances of Leather and Les Liqueurs de Parfums. They are unique creations that result from the desire to share sensations in order to spark emotion. They strike the perfect balance between tradition and innovation, cutting-edge technology and the awakening of the senses… Harmony found in contrast.
Osez Moi! is the fragrance by the house of Chantal Thomass that was launched in April 2009. It enclosed the mixture of aromas of bush, vanilla, rose, vetiver, peony, musk and Anthemis nobilis. It’s a truly female and sensual fragrance that unfolds the treasures of concupiscence.
Lancôme it’s a lavish cosmetic house that deals out their merchandise globally. Though founded in 1935, the history of Lancôme begins years earlier when the relationship of its founder, Armand Petitjean came to a head with Francois Coty with whom he had collaborated to produce perfumes. The company’s name was inspired by the ruins of Le Chateau de Lancosme and the roses in the vicinity of the castle, the company’s symbol. The brand’s first five fragrances: Tropiques, Conquete, Kypre, Tendres Nuit and Bocages were created to represent the five continents of the world, each distinct and unique but all immediate successes.
Christian Dior’s fragrance portfolio dates back to the 1940s and features some of the most iconic perfumes in the beauty industry. The house of Christian Dior was founded in 1946 and changed the fashion landscape with its revolutionary first collection, New Look. The brand unveiled Miss Dior, its first foray into perfume, at its début catwalk show, held at its avenue Montaigne store in 1947. Fashion and fragrance have always been inextricably linked to Dior and the brand has created an impressive perfume collection, with scents such as J’adore and Miss Dior among the leading products in the beauty industry.
Lolita Lempicka is the name of a French tailor and a fragrance creator who offered a brand new fragrance called Si Lolita in the year 2009. Si Lolita is a fragrance of delight and elixir of affection, bit and tranquility. This fragrance was created by Christine Nagel and Benoit Lapouza.
And finally, Chanel. Designer, visionary, artist, Gabrielle ‘Coco‘ Chanel reinvented fashion by transcending its conventions, creating an uncomplicated luxury that changed women’s lives forever. She followed no rules, exploring the very modern values of freedom, passion and feminine elegance. “Fashion passes, Style remains”.