Jacques Guerlain

From the beginnings of Jacques Guerlain to the elaboration of Shalimar

Jacques Guerlain was born in 1874 and was educated in England before joining the Monge school in Paris. His uncle, Aimé Guerlain was already a perfumer. He had no children and thus took Jacques Guerlain under his wing as an apprentice when he was 16 years old. It was in 1890 that Jacques Guerlain created his first perfume called Ambre. Eager to improve his skills, he took courses in organic chemistry at the Charles Friedel laboratory at the University of Paris. Once out of school, he was officially hired by the family business in 1894. He composed his first works and from then on took over the joint ownership of the family business, with his brother Pierre. In 1899, he appointed himself chief perfumer. A year later, Jacques Guerlain participated in the Universal Exhibition by offering a floral juice in tribute to Sarah Bernhardt, a friend of the family. The creations then followed one another until the elaboration of his first great success called L’Heure Bleue. This was created in 1912 and emanates from Jacques Guerlain’s passion for Impressionism. Likewise, it was on the eve of the First World War that Jacques Guerlain developed the Champs Elysée perfume in 1914. Then, his creations were stopped for a few years because Jacques Guerlain was called to war and also lost the use of one eye during combat. Nevertheless, he returned in 1919 with Mitsouko, an emblematic juice resulting from several hundred tests. This was then followed, in 1925, by one of the greatest juices in the history of perfumery: the iconic Shalimar. The latter was presented at the International Exhibition of Decorative and Modern Industrial Arts and its success has never wavered until today. A true bestseller, it still embodies the golden age of perfumery today.

The end of Jacques Guerlain’s career

At that moment, the fame and know-how of Jacques Guerlain were no longer to be proven. Multiple juices followed, including several Orientals, the creator’s favorite family. Indeed, Jacques Guerlain has always been fascinated by the Orient. He thus drew his creativity from the richness of colors and smells that emanated from these distant lands. Likewise, Jacques Guerlain always composed with love and passion. He also taught his grandson: “We always create perfumes for the woman with whom we live and whom we love”. However, her life took a tragic turn during World War II. His youngest son, Pierre, was mobilized there and fatally injured. Jacques Guerlain was devastated by his disappearance and ceased to create for two long years, an eternity given the incomparable productivity of Jacques Guerlain. Likewise, the Guerlain factory located in Bécon Les Bruyères was destroyed by bombardments the following year. Jacques Guerlain fell into a deep depression. The last 18 years of his life were marked by his sadness and he continued to work although creating much less than before. He even confided to his grandson: “I create nothing more than perfumes for old ladies”. Finally, his story ended in 1963, when he died aged 88, weakened by a fall that fractured his femur. He was then buried alongside his son Pierre and his father, in the cemetery of Passy. Next year. Jacques Guerlain fell into a deep depression. The last 18 years of his life were marked by his sadness and he continued to work although creating much less than before. He even confided to his grandson: “I create nothing more than perfumes for old ladies”. Finally, his story ended in 1963, when he died aged 88, weakened by a fall that fractured his femur. He was then buried alongside his son Pierre and his father, in the cemetery of Passy. Next year. Jacques Guerlain fell into a deep depression. The last 18 years of his life were marked by his sadness and he continued to work although creating much less than before. He even confided to his grandson: “I create nothing more than perfumes for old ladies”. Finally, his story ended in 1963, when he died aged 88, weakened by a fall that fractured his femur. He was then buried alongside his son Pierre and his father, in the cemetery of Passy. his story ended in 1963, when he died aged 88, weakened by a fall that fractured his femur. He was then buried alongside his son Pierre and his father, in the cemetery of Passy. his story ended in 1963, when he died aged 88, weakened by a fall that fractured his femur. He was then buried alongside his son Pierre and his father, in the cemetery of Passy.

Throughout his career, Jacques Guerlain distinguished himself from his colleagues by his discernment, his creativity and his daring. He left behind an immense legacy and greatly contributed to the creation of our current perfumery.