Jovoy Paris

Jovoy Paris traces back to 1923, when Blanche Arvoy founded the house in Paris on Rue de Longchamp. A dazzling figure of the 1920s, she coined the name Jovoy from her nickname Joe and her married surname, and launched fragrances famous for their playful animal-themed names and their unusual, often animal-shaped bottles. After the original house faded, Jovoy was revived for a new era, picking up the thread of a brand that always prized originality and a sense of theater. Its history reaches back to the early days of French perfumery while its current collection speaks to contemporary tastes.

The signature is dry and refined, built on woods with warm and fresh spice and an aromatic backbone. Bergamot and a blend of citruses give a bright, green-tinged opening, green notes add freshness, and papyrus lends a dry, almost ink-like woodiness that defines the style. Start with Psychedelique or Private Label for the house at its most distinctive, or explore Incident Diplomatique and 21 Conduit St for its range. Jovoy carries a century of Parisian eccentricity into the present.