As you walk along the streets of Saint-Germain in Paris, there is a place where fragrant air flows out from among the particularly old bookstores and galleries.
34th Street, having held that spot since 1961 Diptyque's first boutiqueall.
DiptyqueThe name is from ancient Greek δίπτυχοςIt originated from. This word, meaning a painting composed of two panels, or 'bipox,' referred to works of art that folded into two sides in medieval Europe.
Why did the founders choose this unique name? They believed that scent and visual art were like two mirrors reflecting each other.
One scent evokes one image, and one image, in turn, revives the memory of the scent. It is precisely because of this philosophy that hand-drawn illustrations came to be featured on Diptyque’s iconic oval labels.
Three artists, one dream
In 1961, three artists met in Paris. A stage designer Yves Coueslant, interior designer Christiane Gautrot, and a British painter Desmond Knox-Leet.
Although they were artists active in their respective fields, they shared a common passion: a yearning to share with others the beautiful things they discovered while traveling the world.
So at first Fabrics and decorations, not perfumeThey sold... Textiles imported from England, trinkets from India, and Italian glass crafts filled the small boutique.
However, a certain scent always lingered in their shop. Potpourri brought from England, incense from India, and fragrances collected from their travels. Customers asked about the scent more often than the products themselves.
”We simply wanted to capture the scents we love.”— Yves Coueslan
A revolution that started with scented candles
In 1963, Diptyque introduced its first scented candle. This marked the beginning of the Diptyque candles loved worldwide today. At the time, scented candles were considered to be used primarily in churches or special ceremonies. It was an era when the very concept of burning scented candles in everyday spaces was unfamiliar.
The three founders were inspired by fragrance recipes from the British Tudor era. They offered a modern reinterpretation of the potpourri and herbal blends enjoyed by 16th-century European aristocrats.
Based on that ancient recipe, capturing the pure essence of the hawthorn tree Aubépine, warm cinnamon scent Cannelle, and the rich aroma of black tea ThéIt was born. These three scents became the solid foundation of Diptyque candles that continue to this day.
Desmond Knox-Leet, a painter, personally designed the label. The hand-drawn oval label, which remains a symbol of Diptyque to this day, was born from his fingertips. This tradition continues even after his sudden passing in 1993.
L'Eau – Memories of Britain Captured in the First Perfume
In 1968, Diptyque finally First Eau de Toilette 'L'Eau'‘Launches.
This perfume, created by perfumer Norbert Bijaoui, captures the scent of English potpourri.
L'Eau, a blend of citrus, clove, cinnamon, and geranium, was completely new to the French perfume market at the time. This was because it proposed a restrained and intellectual English scent instead of the flamboyant and sensual French perfumes.
Fragrance critic Tanya Sanices described this perfume as “ancient yet eternally modern.”.
L'Eau was a declaration heralding the path Diptyque would walk in the future. It was a philosophy of creating fragrances inspired by their own memories and travels, rather than following trends. This spirit has remained unchanged for over 50 years.
Diptyque's Perfumery Philosophy
What made Diptyque a pioneer of niche perfumery was not simply the use of good ingredients.
Hermès' chief perfumer, Jean-Claude Ellena, explains the characteristics of niche perfume brands as follows.
It involves letting the product speak for itself instead of advertising, and pursuing a strong individuality and olfactory identity.
Diptyque walked exactly that path. Without large-scale advertising campaigns, it started in a small boutique and grew solely through word of mouth. Each perfume holds the founders' travel memories.This is contained.
The scent of tuberose flowers smelled in the coastal village of Do Son, Vietnam. Memories of summer days spent under a fig tree on Mt. Pelion in Greece. These personal and concrete experiences became the name and soul of the perfume.
Perfume Recommendations for Diptyque Beginners
Diptyque's perfume collection comprises over 100 varieties. For those encountering it for the first time, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. Here are a few recommendations, focusing on fragrances that are particularly beloved in Korea.
| Perfume name | Key Notes | gender | price | characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosykos | Fig leaves, figs, coconuts, Cedarwood | Unisex | EDT 240,000 won range | Diptyque Bestseller. Fresh green woody, as if capturing an entire fig tree. |
| Doson | Orange blossom, tuberose, pink pepper, Musk | Recommended for women | EDT 240,000 won range | Diptyque, the most popular in Korea. Powdery and cozy white floral |
| Tam Dao | sandalwood, Cedarwood, Cyprus, Musk | Unisex | EDT 240,000 won range | A meditative woody scent. Recommended for those seeking a calm and warm atmosphere. |
| L'Ombre Dans Lore | Blackcurrant leaves, rose, Musk | Unisex | EDT 240,000 won range | Diptyque's best-selling fragrance since its launch in 1983. The bitter scent of dew-kissed roses. |
| Orpheon | Juniper berry, jasmine, Cedarwood, tonka bean | Unisex | EDP 280,000 won range | Rising in popularity recently. Sophisticated powdery wood that captures the night of a Parisian jazz bar. |
Philosykos
Made by Olivia Giacobetti in 1996 PhilosykosIt means 'friend of the fig'. It was inspired by the fig forest of Mount Pelion in Greece.
The green scent of fig leaves, the sweetness of the fig fruit, and the woody base of the bark blend together as one.
Coconut notes add a lactonic creaminess, and cypress supports the base.
“This is a perfume often described as looking like an entire fig tree. It is considered Diptyque’s most "niche" fragrance, yet it is not off-putting. It is particularly popular among those who dislike overly strong scents, and since it is gender-neutral, it is suitable for both men and women.
Do Son – Tuberoses on the Vietnamese Beach
Released in 2005 DosonIt was born from the childhood memories of founder Yves Coueslan. His childhood spent in Do Son, a coastal village in northern Vietnam, and the scent of tuberose in the garden his mother tended.
True to its tuberose nature, Do Son is powdery and cozy. However, it is much lighter and cleaner than typical tuberose fragrances. Orange blossom and pink pepper open the refreshing top notes, and the creamy floral scent of tuberose spreads like the warmth of midday. Musk and benzoin leave a soft lingering finish.
Along with L'Ombre Dans L'Eau and Tam Dao, it is one of Diptyque's most well-known fragrances. However, due to the strong floral scent characteristic of tuberose, it may be polarizing. If you are trying it for the first time, I recommend sampling it in-store before deciding.
Tam Dao – Meditative Sandalwood
Released in 2003 Tam DaoIt was named after the mountainous region of Vietnam, 'Samdo'. sandalwood, Cedarwood, It is a deep, warm woody scent blended with cypress.
Upon first spraying, a fresh woody scent is felt first. As time passes, creamy sandalwood gently melts into the skin. It is a fragrance that exudes a meditative and calm atmosphere, making it particularly suitable for autumn and winter.
Some say it is closer to a 'pleasant scent' than perfume. Many people also spray it on their closets or pillows.
Orphéon – A Night at a Paris Jazz Bar
Released in 2021 OrpheonAlthough it is a relatively recent fragrance, it has quickly built a fanbase. It is said to have been inspired by the legendary jazz club 'Orpheon' located in the Latin Quarter of Paris in the 1950s.
It begins with the freshness of juniper berries, unfolding into the sensual floral scent of jasmine. Cedarwood and tonka bean form a warm base, while subtle notes reminiscent of tobacco smoke add a mysterious atmosphere. It is a powdery yet sophisticated fragrance that captures the mood of the night.
“There are many reviews describing it as having a scent like ”sitting in a warm corner booth.” It is suitable for both men and women and is especially suitable for evening outings or dates.
Free fragrance testing is available at Diptyque stores. Diptyque pursues natural scents rather than so-called "pretty" fragrances. As such, they tend to be polarizing rather than universally appealing, so it is highly recommended to test them thoroughly before purchasing and to spray them directly onto the skin to observe how they change over time.
