Houbigant (perfume)

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Houbigant was a perfume manufacturer founded in Paris, France in 1775 by Jean-François Houbigant of Grasse (1752-1807), originally selling gloves, perfumes, and bridal bouquets[1]. The original shop, called "A la Corbeille de Fleurs", was in the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Clients included Queen Marie-Antoinette of France; two French emperors; Princess Adélaïde d'Orléans (1829); Princess Dagmar of Denmark, wife of emperor Alexander III of Russia (1890); Madame Du Barry, mistress of King Louis XV of France; and Queen Victoria of England.

An Houbigant legend, not verified, has it that when Marie Antoinette was fleeing to Varennes to escape the French revolutionaries she was recognised as royalty because of her Houbigant perfume, which only royalty could afford[2].

Houbigant is one of the world's oldest perfumers. Older Houbigant perfumes and bottles are collectable. The company ceased to be independent in 1995, although the name Houbigant and the names of many of its products continue.

Amongst their fragrances are Lutece, Raffinee, Quelques Fleurs. A comprehensive list of perfumes created in France, including those of Houbigant is here[3].

Houbigant was the first perfume manufacturer to use coumarin, in their Fougère Royale[4].

[edit] History

• Perfumer Jean-François Houbigant, 1775-1807
• Armand-Gustave Houbigant, 1807-1863
• Perfumer Paul Parquet became joint owner in 1880. Offices were opened around the world. Houbigant perfumes manufactured and distributed in the United States of America.
• Perfumer Bienaimé created perfumes for Houbigant from 1912 until he founded his own house in 1935.
• Perfumers Paul Schving and Marcel Billot created perfumes pre-1950.
• In 1993 Houbigant filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York. The French manufacturing facility was not profitable.
• In 1994, Houbigant licenced Renaissance Cosmetics, Inc., to manufacture and market many Houbigant fragrances using the Houbigant name. Renaissance's stated intention was to sell to the mass market, rather than an exclusive clientele.
• 1994-1999 there was litigation with Renaissance and its insurers in which Houbigant complained that its fragrances were being "watered down" and its name being abused.
• In 1999 Renaissance filed for bankruptcy protection.
• Ultimately the Houbigant company was no longer a perfume maker, and the Houbigant name itself and its trade names were used for fragrances whose formulation had changed. New Dana owned all the names except Quelques Fleurs, and manufactured using these names, without checking by Houbigant for compliance with the originals.

[edit] References

• The history of Houbigant perfumes

The Houbigant fragrances Quelques Fleurs and Quelques Fleurs Royale (which is based upon the formula created for Princess Adelaide D'Orleans) are now being manufactured under the original specifications and marketed by Exclusive Fragrances and Cosmetics of Monaco.