Perfumer
Henri Robert
Henri Robert, a renowned French perfumer and chemist, was born in 1899 in Grasse, the world capital of perfume. His father, Joseph Robert, was also the chief perfumer at Chiris, and it was from him that Henri learned the art of perfumery. In 1919, Henri Robert had begun working at Chiris alongside other famous perfumers such as Vincent Roubert, Ernest Beaux, and Henri Alméras.
Henri Robert later joined Parfums d'Orsay, where he created one of his most significant fragrances, Le Dandy, in 1923. Le Dandy was a commercially marketed floral aldehydic fragrance for men, but it became popular among young women of the 1920s.
After François Coty died in 1934, Henri Robert became Chief Perfumer at Coty and created Muguet de Bois in tribute to Coty’s love of lily of the valley. With the outbreak of World War II, Robert moved to New York and continued working as a perfumer at Coty until 1943.
In 1943, Henri Robert Inc. merged with the Albert Verley Company Inc. Mr. Robert worked there for an unknown number of years before leaving for Chanel.
Henri Robert took on the role of Chief Perfumer at Les Parfums Chanel in 1952, following Ernest Beaux’s retirement, the creator of Chanel No. 5. During his time at Chanel, he created several modern classics, including Pour Monsieur, the first men’s fragrance by Chanel, No. 19, and Cristalle EDT.
Henri Robert’s legacy in the world of perfumery continues to inspire young perfumers. He was the uncle of Guy Robert, a famous perfumer, and the great-uncle of François Robert, another notable perfumer.
Henri Robert died in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of fragrances that have stood the test of time and continue to inspire new generations of perfumers.
