Perfume is a legacy
We believe that a great scent tells a story. A story that lingers long after the moment passes. But did you know that perfume’s story began thousands of years ago? Long before it graced vanity tables and magazine ads, fragrance was a sacred, powerful force etched into the rituals, royalty and romance of civilizations past.
The Origins of Perfume: Sacred Smoke & Ancient Secrets
The word perfume comes from the Latin “per fumum”, meaning “through smoke.” Its earliest use dates back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, where incense was burned during religious ceremonies to honour gods and cleanse spaces. These early “perfumes” weren’t worn, they were experienced communally, through the air, as an offering to something greater.
Around 2000 BCE, the first known chemist, a woman named Tapputi in Mesopotamia, distilled flowers, oils and aromatic resins to create early perfume formulations. Her story is one of the earliest records of perfume production in human history and it was led by a woman. Women continue to lead this beautiful industry today.
Egypt, Greece & the Royal Scent of Power
In ancient Egypt, perfume was a sign of status, spirituality and seduction. Pharaohs were buried with their favourite scents. Cleopatra was known to scent the sails of her ships so that her arrival would be known before her face was seen. Perfume was luxury, influence and identity.
The Greeks and Romans adopted and refined these traditions, infusing oils with herbs, spices and flowers. For them, scent was medicine, mood and mythology. They believed aroma could balance the body and elevate the soul.
The Perfume Renaissance: Arabia to France
While ancient civilizations set the foundation, it was the Arab world that elevated perfume to an art form. Persian chemists like Avicenna pioneered steam distillation, unlocking new ways to extract scent from flowers like roses. The knowledge spread across the Islamic world and into Europe during the Crusades, transforming how perfume was created and worn.
By the 17th century, perfume had found a royal home in France, especially in the court of King Louis XIV, whose palace was famously called “la cour parfumée” (the perfumed court). French perfumers rose to global acclaim and Grasse, in the south of France, became the fragrance capital of the world.
Modern Perfume: Industry, Identity & Innovation
Today perfume is a global force combining science, emotion and artistry.
- The largest perfume-producing country remains France, with Grasse still renowned for its flower fields and legacy houses.
- However, the biggest exporter of perfume is the United States, with France, Spain, Germany and the UAE also leading the global market.
- The global perfume industry was worth over $50 billion in 2023, with projections pushing that number to $70+ billion by 2030.
Perfume is no longer just for royalty or rituals, it’s for everyone. It’s genderless, ageless and boundless transforming the everyday into something extraordinary.
Papillon: A Modern Chapter in a Timeless Story
We honour this rich history with every scent we craft. Inspired by global fragrances, designed for modern elegance and priced so everyone can indulge. We believe perfume should be accessible, emotional and unforgettable.
When you choose a Papillon fragrance, you’re tapping into a tradition that spans continents and centuries. You’re adding your own story to a timeless tapestry.
That is the true power of perfume.