Houbigant Parfum
Houbigant Parfum () is a perfume manufacturer founded in Paris, France in 1775 by Jean-François Houbigant of Grasse (1752–1807). The brand originally sold gloves, perfumes, and bridal bouquets. The original shop, called "A la Corbeille de Fleurs", was at 19, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Over the centuries, the House of Houbigant became perfumer to the royal courts of Europe including Napoleon, Napoleon III, Alexander III of Russia, and Queen Victoria. History. In 1882 the House launched "Fougère Royale", the first "fougère" (or 'fern-like') perfume ever created, establishing a new fragrance family which still remains today the  most popular family in men's fragrances. During this period, under the direction of the Paris office, offices were established in the United States, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Romania. The New York office had its own manufacturing facility to distribute Houbigant goods nationwide. Houbigant was also the first perfume house to discover how to isolate particular molecules from natural raw materials—specifically, coumarin, which is isolated from the tonka bean. In 1912 they introduced "Quelques Fleurs", the first true multi-floral bouquet ever created. Up to that time, floral fragrances had been mostly single flowers  or were blended with herbs and other essences. "The Genealogy of Perfumes" cites "Quelques Fleurs" as an innovation that established a totally new fragrance classification and influenced other compositions for years afterwards including many of today’s important fragrances. Current status. The Houbigant fragrances are now being manufactured under the original specifications by LOFT Fashion and Beauty Diffusion of Monaco and marketed in the United States by Exclusive Fragrances and Cosmetics.