Jean Patou

Jean Patou, a couturier attuned to his time

Jean Patou was born in Paris in 1887. He began his career alongside his father in a tannery located in the Oise before joining his uncle, who was a furrier. It was there that he learned the fundamentals of the fashion trade. However, in October 1905, he left for three years of military service. Upon his return, he decided to settle in Paris in 1910. There, he opened a haute couture house in which he included a fur workshop, a kind of tribute to his family heritage. However, financial difficulties put an end to this first venture. Far from discouraged, Jean Patou returned in 1912 and acquired his first real store, located at the rond-point des Champs-Élysées. Jean Patou attempted several avant-garde projects there, which won over a number of actresses and society figures of his time. Moreover, Jean Patou's designs were less expensive than those of his competitors. Gradually, Jean Patou considered expanding his shop and moved it near the place de la Concorde, into an elegant eighteenth-century townhouse, in 1914. Unfortunately, the designer was then forced to leave for the war, and his business could only resume upon his return to Paris in 1919. Eager to embody the spirit of his time, Jean Patou then captured the era's longing for freedom. He celebrated femininity, creating several sportswear innovations such as the first women's tennis shorts. He also created the first sleeveless jersey cardigans, pleated silk skirts stopping above the knee, and never failed to pair each of his outfits with an array of accessories. It was at this same moment that he ventured into perfumery.

The perfumes of Jean Patou

Jean Patou ventured into olfactory creation as early as 1925 and that year created his first three perfumes. He brought forth the heady scent for brunettes of Amour Amour, the lightness for blondes of Que Sais-je, and Chaldée for redheads. Likewise, ever the innovator, he launched his first unisex perfume in 1929. Multiple tremendous successes followed. Moreover, the house of Jean Patou remains committed to offering perfumes that are each more innovative than the last. Furthermore, Jean Patou has its own laboratory, which gives it complete control over its creations. The house is also known as one of the largest consumers of natural raw materials in the world. As such, Jean Patou owns its own rose and jasmine fields in the Grasse region.

Since 2001, Jean Patou perfumes have been acquired by the Procter & Gamble group, whose division is based in Geneva. Nevertheless, it has managed to preserve the house's former prestige, and treating oneself to a Jean Patou perfume still means adorning one's attire with discretion and elegance.