Dark ambers and ouds engineered for presence, tamed into 2ml trials.
Initio works in a register most houses avoid, fragrances that sit close to the skin and radiate at the same time, built to feel less like a perfume you wear and more like an atmosphere you carry. The compositions lean warm, animalic and a little hypnotic.
- Origin Paris, France
- Founded 2015
- Known for Oud for Greatness, Side Effect
- Here 2 fragrances
- Founder
- Julien Sprecher
- Concept
- Perfume built to act on mood, desire and confidence
01
The Parfums de Marly stable
Initio comes from the same stable as Parfums de Marly. Julien Sprecher, who has run the Sprecher Berrier Group with Axel Berrier since 2000, launched Parfums de Marly in 2009 and Initio Parfums Privés in 2015. The group itself dates back to 1981. The house's artistic director, who goes only by Sonia, points to Patrick Süskind's novel Perfume as the book behind its thinking. In June 2023 the private equity firm Advent International agreed to take a majority stake in both brands, with Sprecher staying on as creative director.
02
Carnal Blends and the Black Gold Project
The idea is functional perfume, scent composed to provoke an emotional and physical response. The range is split into collections such as Carnal Blends, Hedonist, Absolutes and the Black Gold Project. Side Effect, a Carnal Blend from 2016, pairs rum, tobacco and cinnamon with saffron, sandalwood and an overdose of Hedione. Oud for Greatness, from 2018 and the Black Gold Project, sets oud and agarwood oil against lavender, saffron, nutmeg, patchouli and musk. In 2022 it was the house's best seller.
03
Made in France, shown on Saint-Honoré
Initio does not publish perfumer credits for Side Effect or Oud for Greatness. The perfumes are made in France. In 2022 the house opened its first boutique, Le 320, at 320 rue Saint-Honoré in the first arrondissement. The Malherbe Paris agency designed the small space, about 50 square metres, as a speakeasy with a fragrance bar, finished in brass, concrete, marble, glass and felt with a 1930s feel. That year Initio sold through some 600 doors in 50 countries, and the United States took 40 per cent of sales.
Who founded Initio Parfums Privés?
Initio Parfums Privés was founded by Julien Sprecher.
Where is Initio Parfums Privés based?
Initio Parfums Privés is based in Paris, France.
When was Initio Parfums Privés founded?
Initio Parfums Privés was founded in 2015.