Heritage
A house, in its own words
Juan Famenias Floris and his wife Elizabeth launched a perfumery and shaving shop in the elegant quarter of St James’s in 1730. The business survived the Great Fire of London, the Napoleonic wars and two world wars by adapting its product line and maintaining close ties to the British court. In 1820 Floris received its first Royal Warrant, granting official permission to supply the royal household. The warrant was renewed by successive monarchs, reinforcing the house’s reputation for reliability and subtle elegance. By the early 20th century the family opened a permanent storefront on Jermyn Street, a location that remains the brand’s flagship today. The 8th and 9th generations of the Floris family now manage the company, preserving original recipes while introducing contemporary compositions such as Vetiver (2000) and Santal Intense (2024). Throughout its history Floris has balanced continuity with modest innovation, allowing it to serve both historic patrons and modern fragrance enthusiasts. The house’s archives contain handwritten formulae dating back to the 18th century, a tangible link between the founder’s workshop and today’s laboratory. Floris approaches perfumery as a dialogue between past and present. The house believes that a scent should respect the material origins of its ingredients while speaking to the wearer’s personal narrative. It values transparency, sourcing natural absolutes from regions known for quality—such as sandalwood from Indonesia and vetiver from Haiti—and disclosing the provenance of each component. The brand encourages customers to explore fragrance as a sensory memory, offering samples that invite experimentation without pressure. Floris also upholds a service ethic inherited from its early days, treating each client as a guest in a living salon rather than a transaction. Sustainability informs its decisions; the company favors recyclable packaging and works with growers who practice responsible harvesting. By marrying heritage techniques with contemporary sensibilities, Floris aims to create timeless aromas that feel both familiar and fresh.