In 1921, Jacques Guerlain unveiled a fragrance that would become one of the most iconic in the world of perfumery, Shalimar. Encased in a stunning Baccarat crystal bottle, this intoxicating scent captivated France during the Roaring Twenties, feeding a growing fascination with the mystique of the East. Today, it remains a cornerstone of Guerlain’s legacy, selling 108 bottles every hour across the globe and is only second to its best-selling fragrance after La Petite Robe Noire.
A love story in a bottle
The inspiration for Shalimar traces back to the grand romance of 17th-century India. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan was deeply devoted to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, for whom he created the breathtaking Shalimar Gardens. When she passed away, he honored her memory with the Taj Mahal, a symbol of eternal love. This poignant tale found its way to Jacques Guerlain through a visiting maharajah in Paris. Moved by the emperor’s devotion, he set out to craft a perfume worthy of an empress, one that exuded passion, mystery, and opulence.
As the jazz age thrived and Paris embraced the exotic, Jacques Guerlain sought to capture the essence of this new era. He began experimenting by adding ethylvanillin, a synthetic vanilla compound, to Jicky, one of Guerlain’s existing perfumes. The result was a rich, heady blend infused with deep oriental notes. To complete the composition, he introduced opulent ingredients: velvety vanilla, sensual sandalwood, resinous benzoin, iris, patchouli, incense, and tonka bean. The outcome was something extraordinary, Shalimar, an audaciously sensual fragrance unlike anything before it.
A bottle as iconic as the scent
Shalimar’s luxurious aroma demanded an equally breathtaking presentation. Raymond Guerlain, Jacques’ cousin, designed an elegant flacon inspired by the cascading pools of Mughal gardens. The crowning jewel was a deep blue, fan-shaped Baccarat crystal stopper, tied with a delicate silk thread and sealed with wax.
The bottle’s design was so exceptional that it won the International Decorative Arts Exhibition Award in Paris in 1925.
A fragrance that stands the test of time
For nearly a century, Shalimar has remained a symbol of sophistication and allure. Over the years, it has been reinterpreted by artists and visionaries, from legendary illustrators like Cassandre to photographers such as Helmut Newton, Jean-Paul Goude, and Peter Lindbergh. In 2008, Paolo Roversi’s iconic campaign featuring Russian model Natalia Vodianova redefined sensuality, echoing Serge Gainsbourg’s lyrics, “She’s not wearing anything, aside from a little essence of Guerlain in her hair.”
Even today, Shalimar continues to evolve. In 2011, Guerlain’s master perfumer Thierry Wasser introduced Shalimar Parfum Initial, a modern interpretation that softened the fragrance’s more intense notes while retaining its legendary spirit.
Through decades of reinvention, Shalimar remains more than just a perfume, it’s a legacy of love, art, and timeless seduction.