Robertet Marks its 175th Year with A Dandy Celebration of Art, Culture and Scent

Robertet, a world leader in natural raw materials and fine perfumery, celebrated its 175th anniversary with an exclusive event showcasing its “A Dandy’s Diary” fragrance collection and offering an intimate group of brand founders, fragrance industry insiders, editors, and culture makers an immersive journey into the intersection of art, culture, and scent.

The event began with private, guided tours of The Met’s “SUPERFINE: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition, offering an intimate exploration of Black dandyism. A major highlight was the presence of renowned Savile Row tailor, Ozwald Boateng whose bespoke pieces are featured in the exhibition. Mr. Boateng personally shared insights into his inspirations, enriching the experience for all attendees.

Following the museum tour, Robertet guests convened at The Mark Hotel for a cultured sensory reception. Paul Austin, founder of Austin Advisory Group and event host, welcomed esteemed guests to the sensory reception and introduced the exhibition’s brilliant curator, Monica Miller, author of “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.”

Robertet President Arnaud Adrian addressed guests emphasizing the deep connection between the art of tailoring and Robertet’s legacy. He introduced “A Dandy’s Diary,” a bespoke collection of four fragrances that form an olfactive journey through the exhibition’s themes.

“This event truly captured the spirit of Robertet’s 175-year legacy—our passion for innovation, our deep roots in nature, and the artistry that defines everything we do,” said Arnaud Adrian, President & CEO of Robertet North America. “The meticulous craftsmanship behind tailoring mirrors our own dedication to refining the world’s finest natural ingredients. To mark this milestone, our perfumers created a special scent collection, A Dandy’s Diary, in collaboration with inspiring talents like Monica Miller and Ozwald Boateng. Seeing how deeply it resonated with our guests underscores the powerful union of scent, art, and culture that has defined Robertet since its founding in Grasse in 1850.” 

Each scent is a meticulous interpretation, crafted with a signature Robertet natural ingredient at its heart. Robertet perfumers Jérôme Epinette, Elena Valdivieso-Ruiz, and Patricia Bilodeau then passionately introduced their creations:

• Zeke– Perfumer: Jérôme Epinette. Featuring Robertet Frankincense and Cedarwood, this unique co-distillation creates an olfactive multiplicity, capturing Frankincense’s profound duality—fresh and dark—resonating with the dynamism of race and gender. Its enigmatic name comes from the Grace Wales Bonner “Ezekiel” collection, echoing the Black Dandy’s enduring cultural story, powerfully illuminated byMonica Miller’s pioneering work.
• Alchemy Row– Perfumer: Jérôme Epinette. Featuring Vetiver.  Refined through a proprietary fractionation process, Robertet’s Vetiver highlights its most vibrant and luminous facets. Tailored to the precise measurements of Savile Row legend Ozwald Boateng, this composition oozes the alchemy, glamour, and cutting-edge style associated with his art, transforming his signature cultural codes into a truly distinctive olfactory language.
• Flower Play– Perfumer: Elena Valdivieso-Ruiz. Featuring Jasmine & Patchouli. Robertet’s exquisite Jasmine Grandiflorum Egypt Absolute forms the luminous heart. To subvert its overt floralcy, mirroring Julius Soubise’s defiant presence, it introduces Patchoud—Robertet’s unique co-distillation of Cistus ladaniferus & Patchouli EO Burundi. This personally handcrafted blend creates a vibrant, sophisticated floral bouquet that echoes Soubise’s flamboyant elegance.
• Vanilla Rain– Perfumer: Patricia Bilodeau. Featuring Fair Trade Vanilla. Distinguished by its precise curing and extraction methods, Robertet’s Fair Trade Vanilla offers a consistently rich, creamy, and exquisitely warm olfactive profile. This signature ingredient is crafted into a captivating, sensual, and deeply sweet fragrance, embodying the fearless artistry and alluring presence of Prince.

Guests engaged with the elegantly themed fragrance installation, which included charming spindles under cloches and natural floral elements. The fragrances were met with enthusiasm, leaving many in a “sensory cloud.”

Monica Miller graciously signed copies of The MET Exhibition catalogue, SUPERFINE: Tailoring Black Style, for guests who enjoyed this exclusive experience of tailored fragrances by Robertet.

This landmark event embodied Robert’s 175-year legacy of innovation, savoir-faire, and its deep connection to nature and artistry which underscores the powerful union of scent, art and culture that has defined Robertet’s enduring commitment to excellence and its visionary role in the world of fragrance. And, to commemorate the occasion, guests went home with a special gift of scent, art, and culture especially created for the event by Robertet.