The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Zadig & Voltaire launched This is Him in 2016 as part of a two-fragrance collection alongside This is Her. The Parisian fashion house, named after Voltaire's philosophical novel, had spent nearly two decades building a reputation for rock-n-roll chic and accessible luxury. For this fragrance, the house partnered with Beauté Prestige International and enlisted perfumer Nathalie Lorson to translate their vision into scent. The brief was simple: create a fragrance that embodied the Zadig man, someone who balances effortless cool with genuine warmth. The resulting composition reflects this duality, pairing sharp citrus and spice with deeper resin and cream.
The note selection reflects a deliberate philosophy: pair contrasting elements to create tension, then resolve that tension through balance. Grapefruit and black pepper share an angular brightness that makes them natural partners. Frankincense and vanilla temper each other, the incense's spiritual weight grounded by vanillas accessible warmth. Sandalwood serves as the final reconciler, its creamy woody character able to hold both the spice of the opening and the sweetness of the heart without contradiction. This approach results in a fragrance that feels neither trying too hard nor too passive, matching the easy luxury positioning that defines the Zadig & Voltaire brand.
The evolution
The fragrance begins with an immediate impact, grapefruit brightness cutting through like morning light before black pepper introduces a dry, spicy counterweight. This opening phase sets an energetic tone that feels both modern and grounded. Over the next hour, the composition shifts as frankincense takes center stage, its smoky, resinous character adding an unexpected spiritual depth that elevates the fragrance beyond typical masculine fare. Vanilla softens the incense, preventing the heart from becoming heavy or austere. By the final phase, sandalwood dominates, creating a creamy, intimate finish that lingers close to the skin. This arc moves from confident energy to contemplative warmth to quiet presence, each stage building naturally from the last.
Cultural impact
The fragrance fits squarely into the masculine oriental-woody category, but the grapefruit opening keeps it from feeling heavy or dated. Wearers describe it as the kind of scent someone chooses when they want warmth without sweetness, smoke without campfire. It's winter-heavy in practice, cooler temperatures let the incense and sandalwood read properly. The evening occasion is its natural habitat. The audience is someone who values restraint over statement, who wants the fragrance to ask something of the people close enough to smell it.
