Valentino's Cologne: A Scent Through The Ages

The first Valentino cologne was released in 2014, called Valentino Uomo.

The original Valentino cologne was released in 2014

The Valentino Uomo cologne was launched in 2014 and was created by perfumer Olivier Polge. It is a leather fragrance for men with top notes of bergamot and myrtle, middle notes of hazelnut, chocolate, and roasted coffee beans, and base notes of leather and cedar. The cologne was promoted as a classic of the future, aimed at men who strive for classics and like casual style.

The Valentino Uomo Intense cologne was launched in 2016 as a more intense, charismatic, and masculine version of the original cologne. It has a suave leathery, deep, and bright composition, typical of Italian fragrance style. The original fragrance represents white leather, while the new version brings the intense scent of black leather. The refined design of the original bottle remained the same, coated in a darker shade of grey.

The cologne was created by perfumer Olivier Polge

Olivier Polge is the nose behind Valentino Uomo. He is the son of Chanel's in-house perfumer, Jacques Polge, who served for 37 years. Olivier Polge began his career as an intern at Chanel before joining International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) as a trainee perfumer in 1998. At IFF, he co-created iconic fragrances such as Dior Homme and Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb. In 2009, he received the International Fragrance Prize/Prix International du Parfum for his artistic achievements in perfumery.

In 2013, Chanel announced that Olivier would succeed his father as the house perfumer upon Jacques' retirement. Since then, Olivier has continued to create captivating fragrances for Chanel, including Misia, Boy, Chanel's No. 5 L’eau, and the 2022 men's fragrance BLEU DE CHANEL.

Olivier Polge is known for his minimalist approach to perfume creation, relying on few ingredients, a keen instinct, and disciplined craftsmanship. This abstract methodology allows him to create sophisticated fragrances that evoke the essence of a single raw material or a simple note. Olivier's perfumes are often inspired by urban landscapes, reflecting his belief that fragrances are an extension of the city rather than a mere continuation of nature.

Influenced by his father's legacy, Olivier developed his style, which is characterised by a balance between classic elegance and modern innovation. His creations are a testament to his ability to skillfully weave together seemingly paradoxical elements, resulting in truly unique and unforgettable scents.

Olivier's diverse portfolio includes fragrances for brands such as Lancôme, Viktor & Rolf, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and Jimmy Choo. Some of his most famous compositions include Lancôme La Vie Est Belle, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Dior Pure Poison, Giorgio Armani Armani Code for Women, Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men Eau de Parfum, and Chanel Gabrielle.

The cologne was marketed as a classic of the future, aimed at men who strive for classics and like casual style

The Valentino Uomo cologne was launched in 2014 and marketed as a classic of the future, aimed at men who strive for classics and like casual style. The cologne was created by perfumer Olivier Polge and has a traditional pyramidal concept (top, heart, base) with woody notes in the base. The composition opens with bergamot and myrtle, followed by roasted coffee combined with gianduja cream, and ends with a base of cedar and leather. The cologne was advertised in Rome, with French actor Louis Garrel as its face.

The cologne was advertised in Rome, as it was closely connected with the fashion collection Valentino

The Valentino Uomo cologne was advertised in Rome, as it was closely connected with the fashion collection Valentino. The cologne was launched in 2014 and was conceived as a young Italian heir, whose timeless elegance comes from his legacy. The new edition of the fragrance Valentino Uomo from 2014, Valentino Uomo Intense, comes out in the spring of 2016, announced as the more intense, charismatic and masculine version.

The face of the perfume is French actor Louis Garrel

The campaign for the perfume was shot by photographer David Sims and directed by Johan Renck.

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