HOMME ÉLÉGANT by Quentin Bisch

There is no denying that the world of perfume is most definitely an expensive one to inhabit and, with most fragrances beginning in the realms of £100, that’s why the “dupe” market has gained such a foothold in the past few years. There obviously isn’t any defence for copying someone else’s work, whether that be a fragrance, a candle, or even a shower gel, but convincing the more modest-budget customers to try an original perfume can be a struggle. So, what if I told you there was a whole range waiting to be discovered? It’s time to take a closer look at Fragonard, and in particular Homme Élégant.

Fragonard is a company that has featured many times on this website because, aside from it being based in one of my favourite towns, it offers excellent fragrances at incredibly affordable prices. Originally founded in 1926 by Eugène Fuchs, the company is now run by his great-granddaughters. It’s under the ever-watchful eyes of Anne, Agnès, and Françoise Costa that Fragonard has transformed itself from a “tourist perfumer” in Grasse to a company that is now enjoyed around the world. However, the sisters have never forgotten the original goal of the company, which was to inspire and excite the senses.

There has always been a masculine range in the Fragonard stable but, as is the way over the years, fragrances have come and gone. Old favourites like Sieste and Cyprien gave way to Beau Gosse and Suivez-Moi, but it’s interesting to note that Eau de Hongrie from 1979 has never dared be retired. However, the sisters still had plans to revitalise the male collection and so five exciting new fragrances joined between 2014 and 2024. These comprised L’Aventurier, Secret Absolu and Bleu Riviera by Jordi Fernandez, Valentin by the late Olivier Pescheux, and the benchmark Homme Élégant by Quentin Bisch.

Homme Élégant somewhat signified a coming-of-age for Fragonard, and it was in the hands of a then relatively unknown perfumer that the male range was reborn. Quentin Bisch has quite rightly gone on to be recognised as one of the foremost perfumers in the industry today, and Fragonard was there at the beginning of his journey. When it launched in 2014, Homme Élégant was described as “virile, fresh and captivating”, but Fragonard also promised to “shake up” the masculinity of the fragrance with subtle floral notes. It’s just as captivating today as it was eleven years ago, and is perfect for the “modern-day dandy”.

Homme Élégant opens with a wonderfully arresting herbaceous quality, thanks to a blend of cardamom and mint, and this is beautifully supported by notes of bergamot and galbanum. These latter two give a green brightness that adds an expansive effect, but which then cleverly welcomes the arrival of an incense and iris pairing. This combination of a subtly smoky resin with the powdery floral-leaning iris adds a softness to the fragrance, really conjuring that “dandy” image. The development of the scent sees the woodiness of cedar and the earthiness of patchouli refocus the traditionally masculine side of the blend, before a tonka bean and vetiver duo adds the final piece in delivering the promise of a fragrance that is “captivating”.

Homme Élégant is available from the Fragonard website at fragonard.com, as well as 50ml-Milano, priced at €36 for 100ml, €50 for 200ml and €78 for 600ml. You can also click on the image below to read my interview with Quentin Bisch from April 2019. [Sample provided by Fragonard]