Perfume

:For the book "Perfume" by Patrick Süskind, see Perfume (book).

History of perfume and perfumery

Perfumery, or the art of making perfumes began in ancient Egypt but was developed and further refined by the Romans and the Arabs. Knowledge of perfumery came to Europe as early as the 14th century. During the Renaissance period, perfumes were used primarily by royalty and the wealthy to mask bodily odors resulting from the sanitary practices of the day.

Related Topics:
Perfumery - Egypt - Romans - Arab - Europe - 14th century - Renaissance

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In the Islamic culture, perfume usage has been documented as far back as the 6th century and its usage is considered a religious duty. The Prophet Muhammad said, "The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every male Muslim who has attained the age of puberty and (also) the cleaning of his teeth with Siwak (type of twig used as a toothbrush), and the using of perfume if it is available." (Recorded in Sahih Bukhari)

Related Topics:
Islamic - Prophet Muhammad - Muslim - Sahih Bukhari

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Partly due to this patronage, the western perfumery industry was created. By the 18th century, aromatic plants were being grown in the Grasse region of France to provide the growing perfume industry with raw materials. Even today, France remains the centre of the European perfume design and trade.

Related Topics:
18th century - Grasse - France - Trade

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Famous perfumes classified by year of creation

• 1889 : Jicky by Guerlain (Aimé Guerlain)
• 1917 : Chypre by François Coty (François Coty)
• 1921 : N°5 by Chanel (Ernest Beaux)
• 1925 : Shalimar by Guerlain (Jacques Guerlain)
• 1927 : Arpège by Lanvin (André Fraysse)
• 1929 : Soir by Paris by Bourjois (Ernest Beaux)
• 1930 : Joy by Jean Patou (Henri Alméras)
• 1945 : Femme by Rochas (Edmond Roudnitska)
• 1948 : L'Air du temps by Nina Ricci (Francis Fabron)
• 1956 : Diorissimo by Christian Dior (Edmond Roudnitska)
• 1959 : Monsieur by Givenchy
• 1966 : Eau sauvage by Christian Dior (Edmond Roudnitska)
• 1969 : Ô by Lancôme (Robert Gonnon)
• 1977 : Opium by Yves Saint-Laurent (Jean-Louis Sieuzac)
• 1978 : Azzaro pour hommes by Azzaro
• 1978 : Magie Noire by Lancôme (PFW)
• 1979 : Anaïs Anaïs by Cacharel (Roger Pellegrino)
• 1983 : Paris by Yves Saint-Laurent (Sophia Grosjman)
• 1984 : Coco by Chanel (Jacques Polge)
• 1985 : Poison by Christian Dior (Jean Guichard)
• 1987 : Loulou by Cacharel (Jean Guichard)
• 1990 : Trésor by Lancôme (Sophia Grosjman)
• 1992 : Angel by Thierry Mugler (Olvier Cresp and Yves de Chiris)
• 1993 : Jean-Paul Gaultier by Jean-Paul Gaultier (Jacques Cavallier)
• 1995 : CK One by Calvin Klein (Firmenich)
• 1995 : Dolce Vita by Christian Dior (Pierre Bourdon and Maurice Roger)
• 1995 : Le Mâle by Jean-Paul Gaultier (Francis Kurkdjian)
• 2001 : Coco Mabymoiselle by Chanel (Jacques Polge)
• 2001 : Nu by Yves Saint-Laurent (Jacques Cavallier)