WHY IS PARIS THE PERFUME CAPITAL OF THE WORLD?

Paris, the capital of love, and temple of fashion and style, embodies the ideal of French luxury in the eyes of fashion addicts around the world. Paris is home to the latest trends in fashion, leather goods, jewelry, and fragrances. If Grasse is a city particularly renowned for the production of perfumed essences, the heart of perfumery is definitely in Paris!

Perfumery shops can be found all over Paris, and the craftsmen perfumers, as well as the big perfume houses, are not to be outdone.

How perfume came to Paris

Parisian master perfumers

While historically the Grasse region has developed a unique expertise in perfume making over the centuries, Paris is not to be outdone. The capital has been home to great master perfumers for several centuries.

As early as the 18th century, master perfumers settled in Paris, especially on the Parisian bridges, where they developed the distillation process to extract the scent of the ingredients; whereas in Grasse, perfumers used the enfleurage process. To learn more about the different techniques for extracting essences and making perfume, you can read about these Parisian perfumers in Patrick Süskind’s famous novel, Le Parfum, in which the main character (Jean-Baptiste Grenouille) becomes the apprentice of a master perfumer who lives on the Pont au Change.

The combination of couture and perfume in Paris

It was Gabrielle Chanel who first opened the way to perfumery for couturiers by launching the famous N°5 in 1921. Ernest Beaux created this fragrance to embody the spirit of his house, and it quickly became a huge success.

Then Christian Dior developed the concept of global luxury. That is to say, the idea that a luxury brand must offer its customers not only clothes to dress themselves in but also something to adorn their entire body. So he launched Miss Dior, the now cult Miss Dior perfume (which had nothing to do with the current one!), at the same time as his first fashion show in 1947.

Since then, most of the major fashion houses have developed their own perfumes, which has made Paris the nerve center of both fashion and perfumery. But why this combination of couture and perfume?

Perfumes to finance couture

Firstly, it’s an economic reason: Haute couture is an extremely expensive activity and generally not very profitable (if at all). On the other hand, the sale of perfumes can be very lucrative and therefore helps to offset these costs. In this way, perfumes provide the funds to finance Haute Couture, which builds and sustains a house’s image. For a perfume to be successful, it must be launched by a brand with a strong image. So perfume is the other logical side of Haute Couture: it is based on the brand image established by Haute Couture, and it finances this activity.

Reach more consumers

Another reason why the big houses have developed their own perfumes is so they can reach more consumers. Not everyone can afford a dress from the latest fashion show. But perfume is much more accessible!

So perfume represents a kind of gateway to a brand’s universe. Fashion houses’ fragrances are designed to be an extension of their creative lines and spirit. Buying a perfume, therefore, allows the consumer to experience the true essence of a house, while at the same time allowing them to indulge in a little bit of luxury without having to spend a lot of money. For the houses, it’s an opportunity to reach new customers, who today buy a perfume but tomorrow might buy a handbag.

To make perfumes, you have to be in Paris

The beating heart of niche perfumery

Paris is the capital of Haute Couture, and therefore of designer perfumes, but also of so-called niche perfumes. Niche perfumery actually refers to a type of perfumery that is a little contrary to the big houses we were talking about. It is a more artisanal kind of perfumery that is in keeping with French tradition and expertise in this field. These brands are generally more intimate and have very high quality standards. Their preferences are also more assertive, and the niche perfumes they produce are true artistic choices.

Following in the footsteps of the master perfumers of the 18th century, niche perfumers continue to develop their expertise and formulas in the heart of the capital. There is an unprecedented concentration of niche perfumery workshops and boutiques. Indeed, Paris is THE place to be to make a name for yourself in the world of art, and haute perfumery is no exception. Paris is brimming with talented artists and craftsmen who nurture the arts in many fields. No wonder then that niche perfumers, true virtuosos of scents and artisans of essences, are also settling there!

Made in Paris: even more glitter than made in France

Finally, to be part of the French tradition of Haute Parfumerie is to be part of the tradition of perfume made in France. Producing and creating in France is a real guarantee of quality. But to go even further in the quest for excellence, the Holy Grail is to produce and create perfumes in Paris.

At Sillages Paris, we wanted to ensure that our perfumes are not only made in France, but made in Paris!

We have always been fascinated by the artistic and cultural heritage of perfumery, and we strive to carry on this tradition respectfully but without taking ourselves too seriously. Our perfumes are of exceptional quality (highest quality ingredients and strong concentrations) and are handmade to-order in our Parisian workshops.

If you love perfume, we invite you to come and enjoy a free private appointment in our workshops. You will be able to smell our ingredients and chat about perfume with our experts. If you have found your perfect Sillage at the end of your appointment, it will be made on-site, and you can leave with it!

If you really can’t wait, you can choose your perfect fragrance online. Or chat with us by sending a private message on Facebook or Instagram 🙂

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