Courtesy of Wikipedia. A photo of Santal Eau de Toilette by Floris. Author Brit in Seoul
This wonderful old perfumers on Jermyn Street, founded in 1730 by Juan Floris, is the oldest retailer of fragrance and toiletries in the country and is still family owned – today by the 8th & 9th generation.
Floris arrived from Menorca seeking his fortune and initially set up here as a barber and comb maker, but missed the aromas of his native Mediterranean so much, he soon started making and selling perfumes.
Holder of no less than nineteen Royal Warrants – the first one ‘Smooth Pointed Comb makers’ to King VI – is still proudly portrayed in the shop.
The Floris archives hold many letters of thanks from well-known customers such as Florence Nightingale and Mary Shelly, and the famous dandy of the day, Beau Brummel, would come and discuss his favourite fragrance at length with Mr Floris.
Even famous fictional characters got in on the act – Ian Flemming’s James Bond, wore Floris 89 while Al Pacino’s character in the Scent of a Woman, declared he knew the woman in his sights was wearing Floris fragrance.
A visit here is a treat for the senses. Once inside, check out the magnificent mahogany counter. It was purchased directly from the Great Exhibition held at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park in 1851.