Frédéric Malle

Founded 2000 · Paris, France · Frédéric Malle

Frédéric Malle did something perfumery did not do: put the perfumer's name on the bottle. His house is a publishing imprint — he edits, the authors sign — and out of it came Portrait of a Lady and Musc Ravageur, two of the most respected compositions of this century.

History

Malle is the grandson of Serge Heftler-Louiche, founder of Parfums Christian Dior, and grew up inside the trade. In 2000 he opened Éditions de Parfums on an idea borrowed from literary publishing: give each perfumer an unlimited budget, total freedom and credit with their name on the label — unthinkable in an industry where the author is anonymous. So came Musc Ravageur by Maurice Roucel, Carnal Flower by Dominique Ropion and Portrait of a Lady, also by Ropion, which critics rank among the finest roses ever composed. Estée Lauder bought the house in 2015.

Iconic models

Portrait of a Lady (2010)
Rose, patchouli and incense, by Dominique Ropion. Among the most praised compositions of the century.
Musc Ravageur (2000)
Musk, vanilla and cinnamon, by Maurice Roucel. One of the house's first.
Carnal Flower (2005)
Tuberose, with one of the highest concentrations of absolute ever used.

Worth knowing

Before Malle the perfumer was anonymous: the house signed, the author did not. Putting his name on the bottle changed the standing of the trade within twenty years.