Floris (also J. Floris Ltd or Floris of London Holdings Ltd) is the oldest

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retailer of fragrance and toiletries and is still family owned and run today by the 8th and 9th generations of the family.

History

Juan Famenias Floris arrived in England from his native island of

Menorca Menorca or Minorca (from la, Insula Minor, , smaller island, later ''Minorica'') is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. Its name derives from its size, contrasting it with nearby Majorca. Its capi ...

to seek his fortune. Shortly after his arrival in 1730, he secured premises in

Jermyn Street Jermyn Street is a one-way street in the St James's area of the City of Westminster in London, England. It is to the south of, parallel, and adjacent to Piccadilly. Jermyn Street is known as a street for gentlemen's-clothing retailers. Hist ...

, in the elegant quarter of London's St. James's. Floris initially set up business as a barber shop and comb-maker; however missing the aromas and sensations of his Mediterranean youth, he and his wife Elizabeth began making and selling perfume.

Royal warrant

The first Royal Warrant granted to J. Floris Ltd was in 1820 as 'Smooth Pointed Comb-makers' to the then King George IV soon after his accession. Today this first Royal warrant is still on display at 89 Jermyn Street together with no less than 19 others. Floris holds the warrants Perfumers to HM The Queen Elizabeth II, granted in 1971, and Manufacturers of Toilet Preparations to HRH The

Prince of Wales Prince of Wales ( cy, Tywysog Cymru, ; la, Princeps Cambriae/Walliae) is a title traditionally given to the heir apparent to the English and later British throne. Prior to the conquest by Edward I in the 13th century, it was used by the rulers ...

, granted in 1984.

Stores

The London store is in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, in the same building Juan Floris created the business in the 18th century. The mahogany counter used in the store was purchased from the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park in 1851. In 2012, Floris opened a second London shop at 147

Ebury Street Ebury Street () is a street in Belgravia, City of Westminster, London. It runs from a Grosvenor Gardens junction south-westwards to Pimlico Road. It was built mostly in the period 1815 to 1860. Odd numbers 19 to 231 are on the south-east side; ...

Belgravia Belgravia () is a district in Central London, covering parts of the areas of both the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Belgravia was known as the 'Five Fields' during the Tudor Period, and became a dang ...

, offering the full Floris range, together with a Bespoke Perfumery service.

Notable customers

The Floris archives hold letters from famous customers detailing their preferences and their thanks, including the following examples: *

Florence Nightingale Florence Nightingale (; 12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) was an English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale came to prominence while serving as a manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War, i ...

wrote a 25 July 1863 letter thanking Mr Floris for his 'sweet-smelling nosegay'. *

Mary Shelley Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (; ; 30 August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel '' Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' (1818), which is considered an early example of science fiction. She also ...

, whilst abroad, sent friends instructions to purchase her favourite combs and toothbrushes from Floris. * Beau Brummell in the early 19th century would discuss his current fragrances at length with Mr Floris. * Floris also creates bespoke fragrances for the British royal family, including the creation of a unisex fragrance for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018. Floris is also referenced by fictional characters. Al Pacino's character in '' Scent of a Woman'' famously declared he knew the 'woman in his sights' was wearing a Floris fragrance. In the

James Bond The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors have ...

novel '' Moonraker'', Ian Fleming writes that Floris supplies the soaps and other toiletries in the restrooms in the private club Blades.

himself always wore Floris No.89,

References

External links

Floris Website and Online Shop
on Fragrantica.com
Floris
on Basenotes.net {{Coord , 51.50821, N, 0.13727, W, type:landmark_region:GB, display=title British Royal Warrant holders Luxury brands Shops in London Retail companies established in 1730 Buildings and structures in the City of Westminster English brands Retail companies of England Perfume houses Companies based in the City of Westminster 1730 establishments in England British companies established in 1730