Parfums Caron is a renowned French perfume house that was founded by Ernest Daltroff in 1904. Despite lacking formal training as a perfumer, Daltroff’s passion for fragrance, instilled by his mother, combined with his exceptional olfactory abilities, propelled him to establish one of the most iconic and beloved perfume houses in the history of the fragrance industry. The tale of Parfums Caron revolves around a clandestine love story. Daltroff enlisted the expertise of Felicie Wanpouille, a former dressmaker, to serve as the company’s artistic advisor. Wanpouille was not only responsible for overseeing bottle design and packaging, but also played a fundamental role in the company’s triumphs. Acting as Daltroff’s muse, Wanpouille ignited rumors of a romantic connection, although Daltroff never openly declared his affection for her. Their remarkable achievements, fueled by unrelenting ambition and a complex emotional dynamic, birthed some of the most innovative and adored perfumes of the 20th century. Narcisse Noir, introduced in 1911, was the first fragrance from the house to gain widespread acclaim. This iconic scent achieved immortality through its appearance in the film “Sunset Boulevard,” cradled in the hands of screen siren Gloria Swanson. Another noteworthy creation, N’Aimez Que Moi (“Love No One But Me”), is believed by some to be a covert expression of love shared between Daltroff and Wanpouille. Released in 1916, this fragrance also became a popular gift for soldiers to give their sweethearts as a symbol of remembrance. Tabac Blond, launched in 1919, catered to the emerging archetype of the modern, independent woman who fearlessly challenged societal norms by openly smoking cigarettes. Many may not be as familiar with another remarkable product offered by this esteemed perfume house—the exquisite luxury face powder, initially introduced in the 1930s and still available today. The manufacturing process of this powder remains closely guarded as a trade secret. With the approach of World War II and the rise of Nazi persecution, Daltroff, who was Jewish, fled to the United States, leaving Caron under Wanpouille’s competent management. Daltroff never returned to Europe and passed away in 1947. Wanpouille continued to lead the company, collaborating with other perfumers and overseeing its operations until her own untimely death in 1967. In 1998, Caron was acquired by Patrick Alès, and in 2018, the storied French fragrance house was sold to Cattleya Finance, the private investment holding company owned by Benjamin and Ariane de Rothschild. Caron boasts an extensive collection of 126 perfumes in its fragrance base. As one of the oldest perfume houses, its creations span from the inaugural release in 1911 to the most recent offerings in 2023. Throughout its illustrious history, Caron fragrances have been brought to life through collaborations with esteemed perfumers such as Ernest Daltroff, Richard Fraysse, Dominique Ropion, Jean Jacques, Jean Jacque, Michel Morsetti, Gerard Lefort, William Fraysse, Akiko Kamei, Francoise Caron, Jean Claude Delville, Jean-Pierre Bethouart, and Vincent Marcello.