THE STORY
ORIGIN
Born in France in 1912, Jacques Fath’s early fascination for fashion led to the opening of his first Couture house in Paris in 1937. His unique and glamorous style quickly attracted success, dressing the ‘young Chic Parisian’ and influential clientele. Notably, Hubert de Givenchy, Guy Laroche and Valentino Garavani worked as assistants in his atelier, later founding their own fashion houses.
The perfumes’ saga begins with the launch of Chasuble in 1945 and later, with the iconic creations of Iris Gris and Green Water in collaboration with perfumer Vincent Roubert, solidifying Jacques Fath Perfumes’ legendary status in niche Haute Parfumerie.
CONCEPT
The spirit of Jacques Fath is captured today within the contemporary design and emblematic codes of the ‘Fath’s Essentials Collection.’ Creative Director, Rania Naim, collaborated with independent perfumers Cécile Zarokian and Luca Maffei in 2016, and more recently with IFF master perfumer Jean-Christophe Hérault, to create the Fath’s Essentials Collection. This range of fragrances embodies Jacques Fath’s vibrant personality and unique fashion style.
Cécile’s work is enchanting; each new perfume creation unveils a universe that transports the senses through different territories. Exceptional raw materials, such as Neroli or Grey Amber, used for the revisited mythical Green Water, as well as for other Jacques Fath creations like Bel Ambre, Red Shoes, and Curacao Bay, marking the signatures of this unique collection.
For Luca, the direction was different: no longer relying on a classic brand pillar, but drawing from a rich and varied olfactory palette, utilizing the most innovative and noble raw materials to create feminine fragrances like Les Frivolités and Lilas Exquis. This also pays tribute to Jacques Fath’s ‘joie de vivre.’
With Jean-Christophe, he has infused innovative methods into his approach to achieve ‘beautiful, classic and rigorous perfumery and a more whimsical modernism.’ The collection has expanded with Vetiver Gris, a bright contemporary fragrance; Jasmin de Toscane, which revolves around a unique jasmine used for the first time in a perfume; and most recently, Encens Copal, a modern interpretation of incense, blending vibrant notes with White Copal to create a fresh, modern, and daring scent.
RANIA NAIM
CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF JACQUES FATH PARFUMS
A Short Biography
“The Parisian woman embodies a style, a state of mind, and an elegance distinguished by an indescribable – je ne sais quoi.”
This description particularly rings true when portraying Rania Naim, the Creative Director of Panouge Group. Based in Paris, the company’s portfolio includes French perfume brands such as Isabey Paris, Jacques Fath, Panouge Paris, and Japanese brand, Masakï Paris.
Born in Beirut, Rania cherishes memories of the strong scents, like tuberose, gardenia, jasmine, and precious aromatic woods, that surrounded her during childhood. As she shared with Vogue and Cosmétique mag, this is when she began developing an olfactory memory and the belief that a fragrance permeates and defines a person’s style.
Originally preparing for a career in the world of fashion as a stylist, Rania shifted her focus in Paris when she discovered the intricacies of the selective and niche perfumery. Passionate about the field and its infinite possibilities, she set her mind on making it the essence of her career.
The revival of Jacques Fath perfumes occurred in 2008 when Panouge Group acquired the brand. After several creations for the historical lineage, Rania decided that a complete break with style was the future and rethought the entire concept. In 2016, the new collection, ‘Fath’s Essentials,’ and then ‘L’IRIS DE FATH,’ a finalist at the FiFi Awards, reestablished the brand’s reputation linked to the great French couturier.