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Light, floral, exotic or heady, perfume can be both a precious ally for
self-care or the ultimate weapon of seduction. From its origins in
ancient times to today's colossal cosmetic industry, the story of
perfume is rich and enticing.
What parts of the world do fragrances come from? Who invented them and
what are their main ingredients? How did perfume cross from the sacred
to the profane? Who were the first great perfumers? What role has the
fashion industry played in the history of perfume? How do you become a
successful 'nose'? What stories lie behind iconic perfumes such as
Chanel's N°5, CK One, or Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Mâle?
Lavishly illustrated with archival documents from the most beautiful
fragrance brands, The Story of Perfume transports its readers into a
precious and mesmerizing world. It is the perfect gift for special
occasions and a must-have for all perfume lovers.
The untold story of Marie-Antoinette's perfumer, Jean-Louis
Fargeon. Montpellier, 1748: Jean-Louis Fargeon is born into a
family of perfumers and soon becomes apprentice to his father's
modest perfumery. But he dreams of the glittering court of
Versailles and of becoming perfumer to the young queen, Marie
Antoinette. His ambition carried him to Paris where his boutique
became one of the most elegant and well-patronised in France.
Concocting sumptuous perfumes and pomades for most of the French
nobility, Fargeon eventually caught the attention of the queen.
After meeting Marie Antoinette in the Trianon Palace, he began
creating lavish bespoke scents that perfectly reflected her moods
and personality. He served as her personal and exclusive perfumer
for fourteen years until 1789 when the darkness of Revolution swept
across France, its wrath aimed at the extravagance of a now hated
queen. Fargeon, a lifelong supporter of the Republican cause but a
purveyor to the court, was in a dangerous position. Yet he remained
fiercely loyal to Marie Antoinette, beyond her desperate flight to
Varennes, her execution and even through his own imprisonment and
trial...
The year 1947 was a crucial one for Christian Dior. It was then
that the fashion designer simultaneously founded his maison and his
perfume factory in Paris. The success of Christian Dior's first
essence, Miss Dior, was so outstanding as to leave its permanent
mark in history. Ten years on from the founding of his perfume
factory, on 24 October 1957, Christian Dior's untimely death
conferred a new dimension to a decade characterised by an uncommon
destiny. Text in English and French.
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