Heritage
A house, in its own words
Coty began in 1904 when François Coty opened a modest shop on Rue de la Paix in Paris. His first breakthrough, Ambre Antique, arrived in 1905 and is recognized as the earliest modern amber fragrance. Over the next century Coty introduced iconic creations such as L’Heure Bleue and launched the first mass‑market perfume houses in Europe. The company survived two world wars, expanded into cosmetics, and in the late‑20th century became a global beauty conglomerate. In 2024 Coty celebrated its 120th year with Infiniment Coty Paris, a collection that revisits historic formulas while looking forward. The launch pop‑up in the Marais, a historic quarter known for its boutique culture, offered visitors a curated space where archival archives met contemporary design. The collection’s name, “Infiniment,” signals an infinite reinterpretation of the brand’s legacy, linking the 1905 Ambre Antique revival to newly crafted scents such as Encore Une Fois and Les Mots Doux. By positioning the line as genderless, Coty acknowledges shifting consumer attitudes while staying rooted in its Parisian origins. The initiative also reflects a broader industry trend where heritage houses re‑engage with their archives to create limited‑edition, high‑concentration offerings that appeal to fragrance connoisseurs seeking depth and longevity. The creative vision for Infiniment Coty Paris rests on two pillars: emotional intensity and inclusive storytelling. Sue Nabi and Nicolas Vu describe the line as a response to the desire for scents that transcend traditional gender categories, allowing wearers to define fragrance on personal terms. The collection’s 14 creations each aim to magnify a specific feeling, from the quiet optimism of Matin de Jade to the nostalgic warmth of Soleil d’Ikosim. Collaboration with perfumers from IFF, Symrise and Firmenich ensures that each formula balances natural extracts with cutting‑edge synthetics, a practice that echoes François Coty’s early experiments with raw material blends. Sustainability informs ingredient selection; the team prioritises responsibly sourced absolutes and works with suppliers who meet recognized environmental standards. Transparency is another core value: the brand publishes ingredient families for each scent, inviting consumers to understand the composition. By emphasizing concentration, the line offers longevity that reduces the need for frequent re‑application, aligning with a minimalist lifestyle. Overall, the philosophy merges Coty’s historic daring with a modern, inclusive sensibility that respects both the nose and the planet.
