The Story of the House
The vibrant energy of New York, the passionate expertise of Master Perfumers from Grasse, the historic atelier on Avenue George V, the refined elegance of Deauville and its state-of-the-art site… Since 1970, the Haute Parfumerie house Jacomo Paris, founded by Gérard Courtin, has cultivated a unique and avant-garde style, creating exceptional fragrances that achieve immediate success.
In 1961, in New York, two passionate men met and began a remarkable collaboration that would leave its mark on the history of perfumery. Nine years later, in 1970, a Parisian atelier was born, giving life to Jacomo Paris. Its founder, Gérard Courtin, was a man deeply fascinated by the mysteries of the olfactory world. With boundless creativity, he composed iconic fragrances such as Chicane, Eau Cendrée, and Silences, which quickly became successes both in France and internationally.
In 1981, Deauville marked the beginning of a new era for the House. The Parisian atelier, despite its achievements, could no longer meet growing demand. Jacomo Paris then took a decisive step forward by developing a cutting-edge production site in this exceptional setting, a true symbol of French luxury. Over the decades, Jacomo Paris has continued to enchant the world with exceptional fragrances, embodying a rich and bold olfactory heritage.
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1961
NEW-YORK,
NEW YORK, AN INSPIRING ENCOUNTER
On Fifth Avenue, American luxury leather craftsman James Kaplan meets French pianist Gérard Courtin. United by their shared passion for art and New York’s MoMA, their encounter gives rise to a story captured in three syllables: JACOMO — “JA” for James, “CO” for Courtin, and “MO” in tribute to their mutual admiration for the Museum of Modern Art.
The House of Jacomo first offered prestigious leather goods, quickly becoming renowned for its exceptional leathers, exotic skins, and refined embellishments with precious stones.
Jacomo’s creations soon captivated American high society. Among its devoted clients were Betty Ford, former First Lady of the United States, and the iconic actress Elizabeth Taylor.
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1965
GÉRARD COURTIN,
PERFUMER-CREATORCaptivé par les secrets de l’univers du parfum, en 1965, Gérard Courtin décide de retourner en France pour développer l’expertise parfumerie de la Maison Jacomo. Il s’installe à Grasse, où il noue rapidement des partenariats avec des parfumeurs locaux, capables de traduire son idée en fragrances enivrantes.
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1970
A PRESTIGIOUS ADDRESS :
L’AVENUE GEORGE V – PARISIn 1970, Gérard Courtin left Grasse to establish his atelier at 45 Avenue George V in Paris, and the brand became Jacomo Paris.
That same year, Jacomo Paris launched its first men’s fragrance, which quickly became an international success — a captivating and vibrant olfactory ode between New York and Paris.
The House’s perfumery division rapidly gained momentum, achieving such success that it soon surpassed the brand’s leather goods activity.
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1981
AN INDUSTRIA JEWEL
IN THE HEART OF DEAUVILLEJacomo Paris expanded internationally, and in less than a decade, its fragrances were exported to over 50 countries.
To meet growing demand, Gérard Courtin decided in 1981 to take a decisive step forward by establishing a state-of-the-art and exceptional production facility.
He chose Deauville, a renowned destination for Parisian high society and a true symbol of French luxury.
The Deauville site enjoys a truly exceptional location, close to the iconic Villa Strassburger — the city’s most imposing residence, commissioned by Baron Henri de Rothschild — as well as the Deauville-La Touques racecourse.
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1987
JACOMO PARIS COLLECTION,
MORE THAN A PERFUMEA true pioneer in perfumery, Jacomo Paris has distinguished itself through its bold creations, distinctive fragrances, and unconventional bottles. A true Jacomo style was born.
It is often said that a woman dresses in her fragrance. The House of Jacomo Paris embraced this idea wholeheartedly by launching, in 1987, a ready-to-wear collection designed to adorn and celebrate the woman of its time.
It was only natural for such a creative philosophy to extend into fashion. For the first time, a perfumer lent his name to a ready-to-wear line — an unprecedented initiative at the time.
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2024
THE INTRODUCTION OF J DE JACOMO
The House of Jacomo draws from the very essence of its precious heritage to create an exceptional fragrance, both elegant and authentic, as modern and pure as its emblem, the “J” of Jacomo.
A French Art of Craftsmanship
All Jacomo fragrances are conceived in Grasse by renowned French Master Perfumers and crafted at the original Deauville site in Normandy, in a constant pursuit of quality and excellence.
Iconic Fragrances
Chicane and Eau cendrée
The House of Jacomo’s earliest creations were inspired by sculptures from the Museum of Modern Art in New York, marking the beginning of a remarkable story.
Eau Cendrée, 1970:
A powerful and refined fragrance belonging to the citrus woody family.
Chicane, 1971:
The counterpart to Eau Cendrée. A fruity, woody, and floral composition, embodying sophistication and luxury.
Silences and Jacomo de Jacomo
Silences, 1978:
A sophisticated green floral, both poised and sensual. A fragrance to be savored in silence, like a compliment.
Jacomo de Jacomo, 1980:
A complex and exceptional woody spicy fragrance. Refined and elegant, it embodies the distinctive sophistication of the man it represents.
The Rare Perfume
Parfum Rare, 1985:
A tribute to one of the oldest and most prestigious families in perfumery, the chypres. An oriental chypre presented in a crystal bottle whose pyramidal shape symbolizes eternity.
Paradox
A duo of fragrances, feminine (1998) and masculine (1999), expressing a luminous and celestial signature.
Paradox for Her is a pure and sensual fragrance belonging to the oriental floral family. Its masculine counterpart, with its woody and spicy notes, reveals a sparkling and audacious composition.
J de Jacomo
With J de Jacomo, the House of Jacomo marks its grand return in 2024, unveiling an iconic fragrance at the crossroads of heritage and modernity.
Oriental, spicy, and woody, this composition captures the very essence of the brand, giving rise to a new signature trail, intense and elegant, designed to define its era.
