Geoffrey Beene, a subsidiary of the Elizabeth Arden group, was established by Geoffrey Beene himself in 1963. Born in Haynesville, Louisiana, USA, in 1924, Beene initially pursued a career in medicine by studying at Tulane University in New Orleans. However, his true passion for fashion design led him to leave university in 1946 and relocate to New York City the following year.

Beene honed his fashion design skills at a local college before gaining valuable experience working for various fashion houses in both New York and Paris, France. With his accumulated knowledge and expertise, he founded his own business, Geoffrey Beene, Inc., in Manhattan, New York. Situated on Seventh Avenue, also known as Fashion Avenue, the company quickly gained popularity with a showcase showroom that attracted individuals from all walks of life. Within a year of its establishment, Beene’s designs graced the cover of VOGUE fashion magazine. High-profile figures such as actresses Glenn Close and Faye Dunaway, as well as former US First Lady Nancy Reagan from 1981 to 1989, became some of Beene’s notable clientele.

Beene’s collections were characterized by a fusion of timeless and futuristic designs, resulting in fashionable creations that appealed to a wide audience. In 1975, he introduced his first fragrance, Grey Flannel for men, which allowed individuals who couldn’t afford his clothing line to experience owning a piece of the Beene brand. Bowling Green, another fragrance, was later introduced in 1986.

Beyond his contributions as a fashion designer, Beene also served as a mentor to emerging talent in the industry, including Alber Elbaz, Doo Ri Chung, and Kay Unger, who went on to achieve their own success as fashion designers.

Following Beene’s passing in 2004, the Council of Fashion Designers of America established the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his profound influence. Despite Beene’s absence, the brand, now an LLC, has continued to thrive. Alongside its business ventures, the Geoffrey Beene LLC has founded two charitable organizations and supports various philanthropic causes. Notably, 100% of the company’s net profits derived from the sales of shirts, suits, ties, eyewear, wallets, jewelry, luggage, hats, scarves, belts, and other clothing garments and accessories are donated to these causes.

Geoffrey Beene fragrances, produced in collaboration with perfumers Michel Gouges, Ron Winnegrad, and Andre Fromentin, boast a collection of five distinct perfumes. The earliest fragrance was introduced in 1975, with the most recent addition being released in 1998.