Few perfume houses have so storied a history as Penhaligon's. Worn by the likes of Oscar Wilde and Maria Callas—and today by celebrities as far-ranging as Ryan Gosling and Marina Abramovich—it is a brand that is steeped in British heritage, yet appeals to modern sensibilities thanks to its playful storytelling, quirky bottles, and utterly unique olfactory creations.
It is also a perfume brand that has stood the test of time, like no other. William Penhaligon, a humble Cornish barber who had risen to the Royal Court, founded the brand in 1870 after being inspired by the exotic, balmy fumes that would emanate from the Turkish hammam next door. After he had trimmed the beards of his refined clientele, like the Shah of Persia, he was partial to adding a splash of perfume, and so in 1872, he created his own: Hammam Bouquet—an enduring icon, which I count amongst my favourites today.
