After the passing of Jean Desprez at the age of 73, his legacy was carried forward by his son, Denis Desprez, who had already dedicated 25 years to the family business. As the new managing director and later president of Parfums Jean Desprez, Denis sought to uphold the company’s refined French traditions, rooted in excellence, craftsmanship, and respect for the art of perfumery. His commitment extended beyond product development; he became a thoughtful spokesperson for how fine perfumes should be treated and worn to preserve their integrity and beauty.
In a 1977 interview with the Santa Ana Register, Denis Desprez offered practical and meticulous advice on perfume care—guidance that reflected a deep respect for the fragility and value of fine fragrance. He began by warning of perfume’s three primary enemies: heat, sunlight, and air. These elements can dramatically alter a fragrance’s composition over time, leading to oxidation, discoloration, and eventual deterioration of the scent. He emphasized storing perfume in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, and ensuring that bottles are tightly sealed after use to prevent unnecessary exposure to air.
Desprez also suggested a very specific ritual for perfume application. Rather than using the original bottle every day, he recommended decanting only a three-to-four-day supply into an atomizer. Once the atomizer was empty, he advised rinsing it with alcohol, allowing it to dry thoroughly, and then refilling it with a fresh small dose. While he acknowledged that this method was time-consuming, he insisted it was the best way to preserve the fragrance's quality—minimizing repeated air exposure to the main supply and preventing contamination or evaporation.
He also gave timeless application advice: perfume should be worn on the warm parts of the body, such as behind the ears, at the base of the throat, or on the inner elbows and wrists—areas where natural body heat helps diffuse the scent subtly throughout the day. Interestingly, he also recommended applying perfume beneath clothing, which protects the fragrance from evaporation and allows it to mingle gently with the fabric and body heat for a more intimate effect.
Perhaps most charming and revealing of his philosophy was his view on scent loyalty. "One should never mix two perfumes," he cautioned. If a particular fragrance, such as Shalimar, had been worn with certain garments, then, in his words, “these clothes have to be used with Shalimar for life!” This notion reflects a romantic, highly personal relationship between scent, memory, and fabric. According to Desprez, clothing becomes imbued with the essence of a fragrance over time, and mixing different perfumes with those same garments risks clashing olfactory memories or creating unpleasant blends. It’s an idea rooted in old-world elegance, where fragrance was an extension of one’s wardrobe—deeply tied to personal identity and emotional resonance.
In offering such advice, Denis Desprez did more than teach perfume etiquette—he reminded wearers to treat fine fragrance not as a fleeting accessory, but as a treasured, almost sacred ritual worthy of care, precision, and reverence.
