A Journey Through Britain’s Oldest Perfumery
Photo: Perfume bottles — © Kirk Truman
89 Jermyn Street is steeped in history. Floris London, established in 1730, stands as Britain’s oldest perfumery, with the art of scent making passed down through nine generations.
“You can tell a great deal about a person from the fragrance they choose,” explained Roberta Ion, Fragrance and Bespoke Manager at Floris, speaking to an exclusive audience of Stonehage Fleming guests hosted at the perfumery. “You can almost see how people want to be perceived.”
Alongside her colleague Anna Gilchrist, Fragrance and Bespoke Executive, the Floris team guided visitors through their historic establishment, sharing stories of royal warrants, famous clientele and the evolution of British perfume.
“Perfumes do not have a particular gender,” noted Anna. “They just smell differently on anyone.”
Floris was started by Juan Famenias Floris, an immigrant from Menorca who settled in London after meeting his wife Elizabeth at church. Juan was a barber and the perfumery at the time started as Juan’s attempt to disguise the smells resulting from the heat of the London summer.
“Barbers, leather workers and glove makers all needed fragrances to mask smells. You can imagine the streets of London back in the 1700s and the scents that would have created freshness,” said Roberta.
With a royal warrant granted in 1820, the shop has continued to expand, maintaining traditional perfumery techniques while adapting to changing times and tastes. Guests heard stories behind the iconic house fragrances such as Special Number 127 (Preferred by Winston Churchill and Eva Perron) and Bouquet de La Reine, created especially for Queen Victoria’s wedding day, along with Number 89, famously favoured by Ian Fleming (A fragrance noted to represent the “Floris DNA”).
Guests were also invited to explore a selection of fragrances and essential oils, discover the raw materials used in perfumery, and gain insight into the craftsmanship behind each scent. They also explored the fragrance bar to discover which perfumes complemented their own skin and personal scent profile. “Each fragrance smells different on everyone,” noted Anna. “It’s a very personal experience.”
The perfumery is focused on the preservation and evolution of the artisanal expertise. “We create custom fragrances for people every day,” said Roberta. “The House of Floris is about being modern – using new ingredients and different approaches in fragrance making, whilst remaining true to the rich heritage of the brand.”