Antonio Mcgowan
John F. Kennedy's favourite fragrance was Eight & Bob, a scent he discovered while touring France as a college student in 1937. The fragrance was crafted by Frenchman Albert Fouquet, who left a sample at JFK's hotel with a note reading, In this jar, you will find the dash of French glamour that your American personality lacks. JFK was so enamoured with the scent that he requested eight additional samples, along with one for his brother, Robert Kennedy, upon his return to the United States. The fragrance has since been re-released and is available for purchase, allowing people to wear the same scent as the iconic leader.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the fragrance | Eight & Bob |
| Fragrance creator | Albert Fouquet |
| Ingredients | Extracts of the "Andrea" plant, vetiver, bergamot, neroli, and citrus scents |
| Scent | Woody vanilla |
| Unisex scent | Yes |
| Price | $195 |
| Availability | Exclusive to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman in the US |
| Other fragrances used by JFK | Eau Sauvage, Jockey Club by Caswell Massey |
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What You'll Learn
JFK's favourite fragrance was Eight & Bob
John F. Kennedy's favourite fragrance was Eight & Bob, a scent with an intriguing backstory. The story goes that during a trip to the French Riviera in 1937, Kennedy, then a college student, struck up a conversation with a Frenchman named Albert Fouquet, who dabbled in perfume-making. Intrigued by Fouquet's fragrance, Kennedy requested a sample, to which Fouquet obliged with a note that read, "In this jar, you will find the dash of French glamour that your American personality lacks."
Upon returning to the United States, Kennedy sent a letter to Fouquet, expressing his and his friends' admiration for the fragrance. He requested eight samples and "if your production allows, another one for Bob," referring to his baby brother, Robert Kennedy. This exchange led to the fragrance's name, Eight & Bob.
The fragrance gained further attention in the 1950s when Senator Kennedy visited the South of France and learned that Ernest Hemingway also wore the same scent. Kennedy cherished the fragrance, reserving it for special occasions. It became known as "the fragrance of the leader," with its blend of vetiver, bergamot, neroli, and citrus scents, creating a fresh and spicy aroma.
The original formula for Eight & Bob was lost for over 60 years until Philippe's family recovered it, allowing the fragrance to be relaunched. The ingredients remain a closely guarded secret, but it is known to contain extracts of the "Andrea" plant, discovered by Fouquet in Chile. The scent has been described as a woody vanilla, a unisex fragrance evoking the elegance of the 1940s.
Today, Eight & Bob is available once again, sold worldwide and exclusively through select retailers. Its resurgence allows individuals to experience the same scent that captivated John F. Kennedy, offering a unique connection to the iconic leader's favourite fragrance.
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JFK was introduced to Eight & Bob by Albert Fouquet
John F. Kennedy was introduced to the Eight & Bob fragrance by Albert Fouquet, a Frenchman known for his expertise in crafting fine fragrances. In 1937, while on a college trip to France, Kennedy struck up a conversation with Fouquet about the fragrance he was wearing. Intrigued by the scent, Kennedy requested a sample, and Fouquet obliged, leaving a sample at Kennedy's hotel with a note that read, "In this jar, you will find the dash of French glamour that your American personality lacks."
Upon returning to the United States, Kennedy sent a letter to Fouquet expressing his appreciation for the fragrance and requesting eight additional samples, along with another one for his brother, Robert Kennedy, hence the name "Eight & Bob." This exchange marked the beginning of Kennedy's association with the Eight & Bob fragrance, which would become his favourite.
The fragrance gained even more attention in the 1950s when Kennedy, then a senator, returned to the South of France for vacation and learned that Ernest Hemingway also wore the same scent. Kennedy cherished the fragrance and wore it only on special occasions. With its blend of vetiver, bergamot, neroli, and citrus scents, it became known as "the fragrance of the leader."
The formula and production process of Eight & Bob were recovered by Philippe's family, and the fragrance was relaunched after being dormant for over 70 years. The ingredients remain a closely guarded secret, but it is known to contain extracts of the "Andrea" plant, discovered by Fouquet in Chile. The scent has been described as a woody vanilla, a unisex fragrance that evokes the elegance and sophistication of the 1940s.
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JFK wore Eight & Bob on special occasions
John F. Kennedy wore a fragrance called Eight & Bob on special occasions. The story behind how he came to acquire the scent is quite fascinating. While on vacation in France in 1937, Kennedy, then a college student, struck up a conversation with a Frenchman named Albert Fouquet, who dabbled in perfume-making. Fouquet left a sample of his fragrance at JFK's hotel, along with a note that read, "In this jar, you will find the dash of French glamour that your American personality lacks."
When Kennedy returned to the United States, he sent a letter to Fouquet requesting eight samples of the fragrance and "if your production allows, another one for Bob." "Bob" referred to Kennedy's younger brother, Robert Kennedy. This is how the fragrance got its name, Eight & Bob.
The fragrance became even more popular in the 1950s when Senator Kennedy was vacationing in the South of France and discovered that it was also worn by Hemingway, after which he decided to wear it only on very special occasions. The scent is described as a blend of vetiver, bergamot, neroli, and citrus, creating a fresh and spicy fragrance.
The formula for Eight & Bob was recovered by Philippe's family, and the fragrance was relaunched after being dormant for over 70 years. It is now sold worldwide and has become a sought-after scent, with people wanting to wear the same fragrance as the iconic JFK. The ingredients remain a closely guarded secret, but it is known to contain extracts of the "Andrea" plant, discovered by Fouquet in Chile. Perfume experts have described it as a "woody vanilla" scent, suitable for both men and women.
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Eight & Bob was released to the public in 2013
John F. Kennedy's favourite fragrance, Eight & Bob, was re-released to the public in 2012, 60 years after Kennedy first discovered it. The fragrance has a fascinating backstory. In 1937, while touring France, Kennedy met a Frenchman named Albert Fouquet, who crafted fine fragrances as a hobby. Intrigued by Fouquet's scent, Kennedy asked for a sample, which Fouquet provided, along with a note that read, "In this jar, you will find the dash of French glamour that your American personality lacks." Kennedy was so taken with the fragrance that he wrote to Fouquet requesting eight additional samples and "if your production allows, another one for Bob," referring to his brother, Robert Kennedy.
The formula for Eight & Bob was recovered by Fouquet's family, and the fragrance was relaunched in 2012, almost 70 years after Kennedy first encountered it. The scent is described as a woody vanilla with notes of cardamom, ginger, lemon, bergamot, cedar, guaiac wood, hazelnut, and labdanum, ambergris, vanilla, sandalwood, and patchouli. It is marketed as a unisex fragrance, with a unique and intriguing backstory that captures the imagination of consumers.
The packaging design also plays a significant role in the marketing of Eight & Bob. The fragrance is presented in a book, with the bottle carefully nestled within the pages, adding to the overall allure and intrigue of the product. The story of Eight & Bob, whether entirely accurate or romanticized, has undoubtedly contributed to its success and appeal to fragrance enthusiasts.
The re-release of Eight & Bob in 2012, over six decades after it first captivated John F. Kennedy, showcases the enduring power of fragrance to evoke a sense of history, glamour, and sophistication. The scent's connection to Kennedy, one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, has undoubtedly contributed to its popularity and cultural significance.
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JFK's son, JFK Jr, wore Eau Sauvage and vetiver
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, wore a fragrance called Eight & Bob. The fragrance was crafted by Albert Fouquet, a Frenchman whom Kennedy met while vacationing in France in 1937. Kennedy was so impressed with the scent that he asked Fouquet for a bottle. The fragrance was then named after Kennedy's request for "eight samples and another one for Bob", referring to his brother, Robert Kennedy.
JFK's son, John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. (JFK Jr.), was born on November 25, 1960, two weeks after his father was elected president. Growing up in the White House, JFK Jr. spent his early years in the public spotlight. He later became a popular social figure in Manhattan and was the subject of intense media attention throughout his life.
Regarding JFK Jr.'s choice of fragrance, it is believed that he wore Eau Sauvage and vetiver. This is mentioned in Cristina Haag’s book, “Come to the Edge”. While the specific brand of vetiver is unknown, it could have been Guerlain, Creed, or Givenchy. Eau Sauvage was released three years after Kennedy's death, so it is possible that he wore another fragrance with a similar name.
In addition to Eau Sauvage and vetiver, it is speculated that JFK Jr. also wore Eight and Bob Egypt, a scent released in 2014, five years after his death.
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Frequently asked questions
JFK wore a fragrance called Eight & Bob.
While on vacation in France in 1937, JFK met a Frenchman named Albert Fouquet, who crafted fine fragrances. JFK was impressed by Fouquet's fragrance and asked for a bottle. JFK later requested another order of eight bottles, plus one for his brother Robert, which is how the fragrance got its name.
The ingredients of Eight & Bob are a closely guarded secret. However, it is known to contain extracts of the "Andrea" plant, which can only be harvested in December and January. Perfume connoisseurs have described the scent as a "woody vanilla".
