More about Oriza L. Legrand
In 1720, during the reign of Louis XV, the royal perfumer Jean-Louis Fargeon founded the House of Oriza, at a time when the court was also known as the ‘perfumed court’ in Europe. Oriza enjoyed the trust of the illustrious King Louis XV of France. The company was the official supplier to the king, and Fargeon became the personal perfumer to Queen Marie-Antoinette. Over the years, the company was granted royal authority to supply personal care products and fragrances to the royal courts of France, Italy, England, the imperial court of Napoleon III and Russia. The name of the company comes from Oryza Sativa, the Latin name for rice, which was an ingredient in rice powder, make-up and wigs.
Then, in 1811, Louis Legrand took over the company, recognising its potential and reputation. He brought its fragrance creations to their full potential. Legrand helped Oriza to fame and opened a boutique in Paris' Rue Saint-Honoré. He created the finest, most exquisite and complex products. Legrand was a true fragrance artist. Some time later, Antoine Raynaud joined the company as a partner. Legrand eventually sold it to him, and he renamed it Oriza L. Legrand out of respect for its first two owners and the illustrious history of the house.
In 1887, the company Oriza L. Legrand patented and produced the world's first solid perfume, ‘Essence Oriza Solidifiée’, for the great houses of Europe, becoming one of the first perfume manufacturers to expand its fragrance line with related products. Most of the perfumes were also available from Oriza L. Legrand as powders, make-up, soaps and many fragrant accessories.
Raynaud also designed his own elegant packaging and collaborated with Baccarat, who produced the bottles for his prestigious launches. Raynaud left the Faubourg Saint-Honoré to open shops at 9 Boulevard de la Madeleine and 11 Place de la Madeleine, where Baccarat is currently located, demonstrating how important the brand had become in the meantime.
The house of Oriza L. Legrand successfully participated in international exhibitions and was regularly awarded prizes, from the bronze medal at the World Exhibition in Paris (1867) to the Grand Prix in 1900. At the turn of the century, 90% of production was moved abroad. Oriza L. Legrand is once again manufactured in France and works with small businesses throughout the country. Raw materials of the highest quality are used, followed by traditional craftsmanship methods. Oriza L. Legrand is proud to open its archives spanning four centuries and present this glorious fragrance history to the world.