Heritage
A house, in its own words
Samuel Rubin opened the Fabergé perfume company in New York in 1937 after a conversation with his friend Dr. Armand Hammer. Rubin chose the Fabergé name because the Russian jeweller’s reputation for intricate detail resonated with his vision of refined scent. The jewellery firm, founded in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé in Saint Petersburg, had become synonymous with the jeweled Easter eggs created by Peter Carl Fabergé. By the mid‑20th century the original Fabergé house had been nationalised, but the name remained a cultural touchstone. Rubin licensed the name for his fragrance venture, positioning the brand at the intersection of heritage and contemporary American style. In the 1960s Fabergé introduced its first major perfume, Kiku, followed by a string of releases that marked each decade: Brut (1968) captured the rise of masculine grooming, Xanadu (1969) reflected the era’s fascination with exoticism, and Audace Noire (1985) answered the demand for bold, nocturnal compositions. The brand survived several ownership changes, moving through the portfolios of large consumer‑goods groups while retaining its core identity. By 1996 the line added Irium pour Homme, a scent that blended traditional woody accords with a modern aromatic edge, illustrating Fabergé’s ability to evolve without abandoning its historic reference point. Fabergé frames its creative vision as a dialogue between Russian aristocratic legacy and mid‑century American optimism. The brand states that it seeks to craft scents that feel both timeless and immediate, using familiar structures while inserting unexpected twists. It values clarity of composition, allowing each note to speak without excess. The company emphasizes respect for the original Fabergé ethos of meticulous detail, translating that principle into olfactory form. Rather than chase fleeting trends, Fabergé aims to produce fragrances that accompany life’s milestones, from a first business meeting to a quiet evening at home. The brand also highlights a commitment to responsible sourcing, preferring ingredients that meet established quality standards and that support sustainable practices where possible.