
Jean Paul Gaultier's first fragrance for men, Le Male, was launched in 1995. The scent, created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, includes notes of lavender, mint, orange blossom, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, and cedar. Le Male has since undergone multiple transformations, including different concentrations, summer specials, and limited editions. JPG has since released numerous other fragrances for men and women, including the recent Scandal Absolu pour Homme and Le Beau Paradise Garden.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Le Male |
| Brand | Jean Paul Gaultier |
| Type | Cologne/Eau de Toilette Spray |
| Fragrance Family | Woody, Sweet, Minty, Oriental |
| Top Notes | Mint, Lavender, Orange Blossom |
| Heart Notes | N/A |
| Base Notes | Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Amber, Sandalwood, Cedar |
| Fragrance Expert Rating | 6/10 |
| Year of Launch | 1995 |
| Perfumer | Francis Kurkdjian |
| Gender | Masculine/Unisex |
| Season | Spring, Summer, Fall/Winter |
| Longevity | Moderate |
| Projection | Good |
| Bottle Size | 4.2 oz |
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What You'll Learn
- The first JPG fragrance for men was Le Male, launched in 1995
- Le Male's top notes include lavender, mint, and orange blossom
- The base notes of JPG's first fragrance include vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, and cedar
- Le Male was created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian
- JPG's first fragrance for women, Classique, was launched in 1993

The first JPG fragrance for men was Le Male, launched in 1995
The first Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance for men was Le Male, launched in 1995. The scent was created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian and was designed to be a daring take on masculinity. The fragrance opens with an intense hit of mint, followed by soft and powdery lavender, with additional notes of orange blossom, cinnamon, and vanilla. The unique scent profile of Le Male sets it apart from other fragrances, and it has become a timeless classic that remains popular even decades after its release.
Le Male's packaging and advertising also played a significant role in its success. The fragrance was housed in an aluminum can, featuring a male torso wearing a marinière, which has become a signature motif in the Gaultier universe. The headless torso, with its exaggerated nether regions, challenged traditional notions of masculinity and created a sense of eroticism. The marketing campaigns were appropriately cartoonish and hypersexual, targeting both female allure and homoerotic fantasies.
Le Male has undergone various transformations since its launch, with multiple concentrations, summer specials, and limited editions. It has solidified its place as a classic men's fragrance, receiving recognition from publications such as Forbes, GQ, and Men's Health. The scent continues to be a favourite among many, with its unique blend of modern and classic elements, leaving a lasting impression on those who wear it and those who encounter it.
Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier has undoubtedly left its mark in the world of fragrances, challenging societal norms and offering a unique and memorable sensory experience. Its combination of scent, packaging, and marketing has created a lasting impact, solidifying its status as an iconic fragrance in the history of perfumery.
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Le Male's top notes include lavender, mint, and orange blossom
Jean Paul Gaultier's Le Male, the first fragrance for men by the designer, was launched in 1995 and remains a bestseller. Le Male is a nonconformist take on masculinity, with warm and sensual signatures usually reserved for feminine perfumes. The fragrance was created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian.
Le Male opens with an intense and unexpected hit of mint, followed by soft and powdery lavender and orange blossom. The top notes of the fragrance are fresh and clean, with a burst of lavender, mint, and orange blossom. This combination is what makes the scent so appealing, even before it dries down into its distinct powdery smell. The fragrance is a mix of woody and sweet scents, with a sophisticated and rich feel.
The base of the fragrance is a sweet and woody collage of vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, and cedar. The drydown of the fragrance is described as powdery, with a moderate longevity of about 6 hours. The scent is versatile and can be worn every day, but some reviewers suggest it is more suited to spring and summer due to its mint and lavender notes.
Le Male has undergone multiple reformulations over the years, with various concentrations, summer specials, and limited editions. The longevity of the fragrance is moderate, lasting about 6 hours before slowing down. The performance of the fragrance is also notable, with good projection and longevity.
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The base notes of JPG's first fragrance include vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, and cedar
The first Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance for men, Le Male, was launched in 1995. It was a hit when it debuted, offering a new and nonconformist take on masculinity. Unlike the ozonic and aquatic fragrances that were popular at the time, Le Male explored the warm and sensual signatures usually reserved for feminine perfumes.
Le Male opens with an intense and unexpected hit of mint, before taking a more traditional turn with soft and powdery lavender and orange blossom. The base notes, however, are where the fragrance truly shows its Gaultier-ness: a sweet and woody collage of vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, and cedar.
The vanilla and tonka bean add a sweet and almost gourmand quality to the base, while the amber and cedar bring a warm, resinous, and slightly smoky character. The sandalwood provides a creamy and smooth texture, enhancing the sweetness of the vanilla and tonka bean while also adding a subtle, soft, and almost velvety feel to the overall fragrance.
These base notes are what give Le Male its signature, leaving a lasting impression and helping to make it an iconic and celebrated fragrance. The contrast between the fresh and clean opening and the warm and sweet base creates a collage of scents that work harmoniously, making Le Male a true classic that has stood the test of time.
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Le Male was created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian
Le Male, the first JPG fragrance, was created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. Kurkdjian is a renowned French perfumer and businessman of Armenian descent, born in Paris in 1969. He co-founded the fragrance house Maison Francis Kurkdjian, a niche brand in the fragrance industry, with Lebanese-French businessman Marc Chaya in 2009. Kurkdjian is recognised as one of the world's most celebrated perfumers, composing his first perfume, Le Male, at the young age of 24.
Le Male, a men's fragrance, was created for Jean Paul Gaultier and launched in 1995, although one source states it was created in 1994. It has become one of the world's best-selling men's fragrances and is described as a game-changer of its time. The perfume is said to have disrupted the fragrance industry when it was released, offering a new and nonconformist take on masculinity. Instead of the ozonic and aquatic fragrances that were popular at the time, Le Male explored warm and sensual signatures, more commonly found in feminine perfumes.
The creation of Le Male was a happy accident, as Kurkdjian himself joined the business in 1994 as a student training exercise. He was not hired as a perfumer and was relatively unknown at the time. However, he was given the opportunity to pitch for the project and managed to beat out major talented perfumers from around the world. The perfume was based on the idea of musk, 'clean sweat', and sensuality, with the scent of lavender playing a prominent role.
Le Male has undergone multiple transformations over the years, with various concentrations, summer specials, and limited editions. It has stood the test of time and continues to be a beloved fragrance, with a unique place in the hearts of many.
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JPG's first fragrance for women, Classique, was launched in 1993
In 1993, Jean Paul Gaultier launched his first fragrance for women, Classique. This was the same year that the designer began co-hosting the Channel 4 programme Eurotrash. The women's oriental floral fragrance was one of the designer's first forays into the world of perfume, and it has since become a flagship product for the brand. Classique is described as an oriental floral scent and is considered a staple of the Jean Paul Gaultier brand.
The Classique fragrance was followed by the men's oriental fougere Le Male in 1995, which became a global bestseller. Le Male is described as a warm and sensual fragrance, a departure from the ozonic and aquatic fragrances that defined the period. It has notes of vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, and cedar. The scent has been described as a nonconformist take on masculinity, reflecting Gaultier's irreverent style.
The JPG fragrance line has continued to expand, with new fragrances such as Le Beau Paradise Garden for men, launched in 2024, joining the brand's stable of scents. JPG fragrances are known for their unique and memorable scents, and the brand has become synonymous with quality and innovation in the world of perfume and cologne.
Jean Paul Gaultier, the designer behind the eponymous fashion label, is known for his unconventional designs and his characteristic irreverent style. He founded his fashion label in 1982 and expanded into fragrances in 1993 with the launch of Classique. The brand has become known for its playful and unusual designs, blending streetwear with popular culture and formal couture.
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Frequently asked questions
The first JPG fragrance for men was Le Male, which launched in 1995.
Le Male opens with an intense hit of mint before taking a more traditional turn with soft and powdery lavender. The base is a sweet and woody collage of vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood and cedar.
Classique, JPG's first fragrance for women, was launched in 1993.

























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