The extraordinary line of Guerlain perfumes can be traced back to 1828, when Pierre-Francois-Pascal-Guerlain opened his first shop in Paris. At this time there was no mass production of fragrances and perfumes were made based on each individual client. Guerlain studied soapmaking and the production of essences to make fragrances for his clients. As the years passed Guerlain's reputation grew and his sons started to partake in the business. In 1853, Guerlain created Eau De Cologne Imperiale for the Empress Eugenie. She was so pleased with this perfume that she named Guerlain the title of Majesty's Official Perfumer.
In 1864, Pierre passed away and his two sons took over the business. In 1919, Pierre's grandson Jacques created a perfume called Mitsouko based on a popular novel ?La Bataille?. The novel was about a forbidden love affair between a British officer and an admiral's wife, a young Japanese woman named Mitsouko. In 1925, Guerlain launched Shalimar. This perfume was a rich fragrance, intended to be a classic perfume and timeless. Jacques Guerlain became Guerlain's most legendary perfumer. He traveled the world in search of key notes and raw materials. " Going on site, checking, choosing the raw materials that make up our perfumes is, as far as I am concerned, the only way to perpetuate the Guerlain tradition and quality. I buy my bergamot in Reggio di Calabria, my Ylang Ylang in plantations on the island of Mayotte, my jasmine and santal in India?? said Jean-Paul Guerlain.
The design house of Guerlain has withstood over 100 years of change and growth in the perfume industry. They continue to recreate and launch fragrances which are unique and timeless.