Etat Libre d’Orange, also known as the “Free State of Orange,” is a renowned French perfume house established by Etienne de Swardt in 2006. Guided by the motto, “Perfume is dead, long live perfume!,” the brand has swiftly gained recognition for its audacious and unique creations, often characterized by controversial names and images. Hailing from South Africa, de Swardt found his way to Paris, where he worked on projects for Givenchy and devised fragrances such as “Oh My Dog!” and “Oh My Cat!” specifically for pets. He ventured into the establishment of Etat Libre d’Orange in order to liberate himself from the constraints imposed by the traditional perfume industry and societal taboos.

The fragrances offered by Etat Libre d’Orange celebrate sexuality and eroticism, reflected in their alluring aromas, provocative titles, and evocative imagery. De Swardt acts as the “editor” of the perfume house, while collaborations with seasoned perfumers are central to the creation of their scents. A striking visual aesthetic, artfully crafted by the graphic design team Ich & Kar, accompanies each perfume. Designating the year of their inception as the “Year Zero of perfumery,” Etat Libre d’Orange drafted a company “Declaration of Independence,” comprised of six articles that outline their creative approach, dedication to superior ingredients, minimalist packaging, and defiant conceptualization.

Promoting a genderless approach, the initial perfume releases of Etat Libre d’Orange featured identical bottles bearing the brand’s name and logo. However, starting in 2007 with Tom of Finland, fragrances sporting distinct packaging began to emerge. The brand has also embarked on collaborations with various celebrities, such as Rossy de Palma, Tilda Swinton, and the Sex Pistols, to develop limited edition scents. Furthermore, Etat Libre d’Orange pays tribute to influential figures such as Tom of Finland and Josephine Baker with their commemorative fragrances.

Since its inception in 2006, Etat Libre d’Orange has curated an impressive collection of 52 perfumes. These olfactory creations have been crafted in collaboration with renowned perfumers, including Antoine Maisondieu, Christine Nagel, Quentin Bisch, Antoine Lie, Mathilde Bijaoui, Shyamala Maisondieu, Violaine Collas, Nathalie Feisthauer, Cecile Matton, Ralf Schwieger, Daniela (Roche) Andrier, and Caroline Sabas. With an evolution spanning several years, the brand continues to captivate perfume enthusiasts with its boundary-pushing fragrances.