Colognes

The first Colognes, with their classic structure of bergamot, neroli, petit-grain and orange blossom, appeared in the 18th century. Back then, using Cologne was very much a question of hygiene. Original Eau de Cologne N° 4711 is an authentic Cologne composition from that time.

Starting in the second half of the20th century, Colognes went more “couture,” sharing their sector with Fresh Eaus, characterized by the search for a more striking olfactory signature thanks to woody or chypre tonalities at the base. That was when floral notes first came into the mix. Eau Sauvage, Dior’s first scent for men, made its debut: built around gorgeous citrus and a sensual chypre base and punctuated with unbelievably elegant jasmine tonalities!

The early 90s saw the introduction of Calvin Klein’s unisex CK One. Colognes went ultra-modern and transparent, with musky, long-lasting trails.

Since the early 21st century, the traditional Cologne schema has gradually been coming back into fashion, thanks to products like the Cologne Sport version of Chanel’s Allure pour Homme and Sean John’s Unforgivable.