1870: this is a date to remember, the beginning of a glorious history that still lasts today. There are very few companies in the world still active that can boast such a rich and extraordinary historical heritage as that of Penhaligon's, true excellence in the segment of elite perfumes, worthy of kings and queens.
William Penhaligon's, the man who turned up a thousand noses Sorry, we're (perfumes) English.
Thus one could paraphrase the title of a famous English stage comedy from the 1970s, which gracefully and ironically made fun of certain British idiosyncrasies.
But there is little to be ironic about the history of one of the most important perfume houses in the world: Penhaligon's perfumes are 100 percent English style.
A hint of aristocracy, nobility, class and elegance always comes out of the refined and iconic bottles.
On the other hand it could not be otherwise given the origins of the brand, born and raised in the heart of chic and aristocratic London.
In 1870 William Penhaligon's was 33 years old and his ideas were clear: to become a wizard of the beard who inebriates his customers with the art of perfumes: everyone is good at cutting beard and hair; but do you want to be able to enrapture people with lotions and ointments with an overwhelming and unusual scent, to show off like a jewel?
From the provinces, his family had moved to London a year earlier, with a relative who lived in Westminster.
And it is here that William opens his barber shop, grappling with the heads of the scions of the upper middle class and the London nobility.
The inspiration comes two years later, thanks to the Turkish baths where his shop was located: the Hammam Bouquet was exotic and exciting, enclosed in the iconic and elegant bottle handed down to us, round cap and bow. Everyone wants it. In fact, they ask for more and William won't let him repeat it.
Upon her death in 1903, the fame of Penhaligon's perfumes was consolidated, so much so that Queen Alexandra awarded the company its first Royal Warrant, the coveted honor of official supplier to the Crown.
A second will follow in 1956, awarded by the Duke of Edinburgh (husband of Queen Elizabeth) and a third in 1988, awarded by the prince of Wales and heir to the throne (the son of the current queen).
These few biographical notes are enough to understand that we are talking about an absolute protagonist in the world history of perfume.
The eau de parfum of the English house are all, unquestionably, olfactory masterpieces that arise from a skilful mix of natural ingredients and continuous chemical innovation.
A Penhaligons perfume is a jewel, but above all it tells a way of being: sophisticated, elitist, exclusive.
It transports you to worlds and places full of charm, such as Sissinghurst Castle, whose magnificent rose garden is inspired by Elisabethan Rose, a truly regal fragrance.
Or Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, monumental country residence of the Dukes of Marlborough (as well as the birthplace of Winston Churchill): the now legendary Blenheim Bouquet (Penhaligon's men's line) was created by William in 1902 at the express request of the 9th Duke of Marlborough and is an unsurpassed expression of a perfect bucolic Englishness.
Or, again, the magical English woods, those where the Nordic sagas set the myths of fairies and elves: from there come the sensual Artemisia (eau de toilette for women created in 2002) and Quercus, a men's cologne inspired by the oak, the English national tree . Or, finally, ancient Egypt, whose colours, smells and feelings find their maximum expression in one of Penhaligon's latest products: Cairo (2019), a feminine fragrance based on damask rose macerated in an overdose of woods and spices.
Among the best sellers we cannot fail to mention Penhaligon's Halfeti (intoxicating and mysterious fragrance); Penhaligon's Constantinople (where flower meets earth); Empressa (a warm, bright and unforgettable perfume for powerful and influential women).
In short, a perfume to be a Penhaligon's perfume must ignite the imagination and reinvigorate sensations and emotions, just like any other artistic product: a painting, a novel, a poem, a song, a film. Even a television series.
Portraits by Penhaligon's is exactly this: a saga, an olfactory fiction in the style of Downton Abbey (whose characters inspired the collection born in 2016), which narrates typically British atmospheres through a sublime collection of men's and women's perfumes. The perfumes of the Portraits “family” bear the name of the characters and evoke their character (such as The Tragedy of Lord George, The Revenge of Lady Blanche, The Coveted Duchess Rose, Much Ado About The Duke, Terrible Teddy, The Impudent Cousin Matthew), well represented by the golden head of an animal which, for the occasion, replaces the classic round glass cap of the bottle.
To create the characteristic Penhaligon's Portraits perfumes, a collection that caused a sensation all over the world, the English house enlisted the help of some of the best noses in the sector:
Alberto Morillas, Daphne Bugey, Marie Salamagne, Christophe Raynaud and Juliette Karagueuzoglou, just to name a few.
And today it is a family of cult perfumes, which has given birth to a new generation of passionate admirers of the brand.
In short, Penhaligon's perfumes never cease to amaze.
If you want to discover the brand's intriguing novelties, visit our website or ask us for advice.
