Fashion & Style

A brief history and description of the luxurious fragrance line and products by Cacharel.

Cacharel cosmetics and perfumes are among the most popular in the entire world. Generating from Paris, France, the line holds some of the most traditional perfumes known to the world today. Cacharel’s founder Jean Bousquet wanted to create a line of fragrances that are not only feminine, but also luxurious. Born in 1932, Bousquet began his design career early at the age of 15 when he served as an apprentice tailor. In 1958 he opened a small store in Paris where he tailored shirts for men. By the early 1960’s, the designer decided to turn towards the women’s market, and is credited for creating the first seersucker blouse.

The brand is the sole idea of Bousquet, and was first registered in 1962. The son of a sewing machine merchant, he began the brand as a clothing line, but in 1978 released his first perfume, Anais Anais, which is still considered one of the most popular perfumes on the market today. The word Cacharel is that of a bird found in Southern France, to reflect beauty, elegance, and grace. Anais Anais is named for a Persian goddess of the same name, and the top notes reflect lily of the valley, jasmine, rose iris, and orange blossoms among others. The scent very light, fresh, and sweet smells. The packaging is very delicate and comes in a beautiful glass jar with a floral motif.

Cacharel also carries other items including scents for men. Nemo was created in 2000, and is a sharp woody fragrance. The bottle is made of brown glass to represent masculinity. In 1981, Cacharel for Men was introduced and recommended for casual wear. The fragrance has spicy and lavender notes and is a best seller for men worldwide.

Cacharel created Lou Lou for women in 1987. The bright blue, triangular bottle with a touch of red signifies its Oriental flair, and the perfume is full of rich spices and floral scents. Eden, launched in 1994 is packaged in a beautiful green bottle and is a refreshing floral scent. Gloria, on the market in 2002 is a bolder, more exotic blend. It contains a blend of vanilla, musk, amaretto, and hibiscus. Amor Amor is one of Cacharel’s most recent creations, launched in 2003. The box has a large picture of a rose on it, indicating its luxurious ingredients of fruits, florals, and woods.

There are several other perfumes created by the line as well, and all are equally successful. Worldwide Cacharel is known as one of the most luxurious high-end perfume producers on the market. Most of the items can be found at retailers such as Nordstrom, Sephora, and Macy’s, but many are offered through online perfumeries as well. The perfumes are not the only items offered by the brand. Luxurious soaps, hair and body shampoos, and body oils are also popular. Some of the scents are even available in roll on deodorant form. Gift sets are also available and include the original perfume along with a body lotion of the same scent. For the men, Cacharel has also created a line of aftershaves.

Written by Michele Fair – 2002 Pagewise