Katrina Rosales
JAR Parfums is a niche perfume house from Paris founded by Joel Arthur Rosenthal, a jeweler known for his opulent jewels and reclusive nature. JAR perfumes are notoriously exclusive and hard to find, with no advertising, samples, or online sales. The fragrances are only sold at the JAR boutique in Paris and at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City, with prices ranging from $400 to 600 euros per ounce. To purchase a JAR perfume, one must make an appointment and undergo a unique sensory experience, as samples are not permitted, and the names of the perfumes are kept secret.
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What You'll Learn
JAR Parfums in-store at Rue de Castiglione, Paris
JAR Parfums is located at 14 Rue de Castiglione in Paris, France. The store is open Monday to Saturday. No appointments are necessary to smell the perfumes, but you must ring a bell to request entrance. Once inside, you will be ushered by an immaculately dressed man into a silent room with a small round table and two chairs. The room is sparsely decorated in the French "ancien regime" style and painted dark aubergine. A crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and a mural of a thunderous dark sky with a lightning bolt adds a touch of whimsy. Each JAR perfume sits on an elevated lighted stand, with glass containers containing saturated pieces of fabric on the table. A JAR representative will silently open each glass container and hold it up for you to sniff.
The JAR Parfums boutique in Paris is the only place in the world where you can purchase JAR perfumes in-store. The brand's founder, Joel Arthur Rosenthal, is known for his reclusiveness and exclusivity. He believes that part of the pleasure of perfume is "where it comes from" and that if a product can be bought anywhere, the "pleasure and mystery of the source" is lost. True to his word, JAR perfumes are not available for purchase online or in any other retail shops.
In addition to the Paris boutique, JAR perfumes were also sold at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City as of 2022. However, it is unclear if this location still carries the brand.
JAR perfumes are extremely expensive, with prices reaching up to 600 euros for a 30 ml bottle. The brand does accept credit cards.
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JAR's alcove boutique at Bergdorf Goodman, New York
JARs alcove boutique at Bergdorf Goodman in New York is the only boutique outside of Paris. The alcove is just off the main fragrance area of Bergdorf Goodman’s beauty department. The walls are painted a deep plum with bolts of lightning streaking across the ceiling. The space is dimly lit with small shaded lamps, creating a sanctuary-like atmosphere.
The JAR fragrances are presented on a front table, with the bottles arranged on suede pillows. Each fragrance is etched with its name and contains a piece of chamois imbued with the scent. The notes of the fragrances are never revealed, and the client is encouraged to form their own impressions of the scents. The perfumes are all pure perfumes, with prices per ounce starting above $400 and rising past $700.
When visiting the boutique, you will be seated across from a specially trained JAR fragrance representative at a table. The representative will present you with a series of lidded glass containers, allowing you to inhale the aroma of each fragrance. If you wish to sample a scent on your skin, the representative will anoint your wrist with it.
The JAR boutique at Bergdorf Goodman stands out for its serene and calm atmosphere in the midst of the bustling beauty department. The experience of visiting the boutique is unique and memorable, reflecting the exclusivity and high quality associated with the JAR brand.
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Decanters selling in small quantities
Decanting and selling perfumes in small quantities is a common practice. However, it operates in a legal grey area, and the laws and regulations surrounding it can vary depending on the region or country. For example, in the European Union, trademark rights are only exhausted when the original sale occurred within the European Economic Area. This means that if a decanter purchases a perfume outside of this area, such as in Morocco or Australia, they cannot resell it within the EU without the trademark owner's permission.
In the United States, the sale of decanted perfume is generally allowed, but regulations such as labelling requirements and intellectual property laws must be followed. Decanters must also ensure that the perfume is authentic and has not been tampered with.
The economics of decanting are compelling, as it allows consumers to purchase smaller quantities of luxury perfumes at a lower cost. For example, a typical luxury perfume might retail for hundreds of euros per 100ml, while a decanted 1ml to 10ml portion could cost between €10 and €30.
However, there are risks associated with buying decanted perfumes, such as the potential for the perfume to degrade or oxidize over time due to being stored in smaller containers. Consumers should only purchase from reputable sellers and should research the seller, read reviews, and ensure that the packaging and labelling are consistent with the original manufacturer's information.
Some individuals sell decanted perfumes on platforms like eBay and Facebook groups, with prices varying depending on the brand and rarity of the fragrance. Popular brands and discontinued fragrances tend to be more sought-after and can command higher prices.
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$9.99
Beg a friend
JAR perfumes are notoriously hard to find, especially in the US. The brand's founder, Joel Arthur Rosenthal, is known for his reclusiveness and his disdain for publicity. He has made exclusivity the cornerstone of his brand, forgoing advertising and traditional sales methods.
JAR perfumes are not sold online and cannot be purchased without visiting one of the brand's physical locations. The brand philosophy maintains that the pleasure and mystery of the perfumes are tied to their source and that widespread availability would detract from this experience.
To buy a JAR perfume, one must typically visit the boutique in Paris or the small, exclusive store within Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. However, even visiting these locations is not enough to guarantee a purchase. At the Paris boutique, customers are only allowed to smell the perfumes as they are revealed from under a cloche, and they are not allowed to know the names of the perfumes or see any lists of notes.
Given the exclusivity and difficulty in acquiring JAR perfumes, one option is to "beg a friend" who may have access to these fragrances. This could be someone who has visited the Paris or New York boutiques and has made a purchase or acquired a sample. It is important to note that JAR perfumes are extremely expensive, with prices ranging from $400 to $900 per ounce, so acquiring one as a gift or through a personal connection may be challenging.
If one is unable to source a JAR perfume through a friend, the only remaining option is to travel to one of the boutiques and experience the unique and exclusive world of JAR fragrances for oneself.
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Travel to Place Vendôme, Paris
To buy JAR perfumes, you must visit the physical store as the brand does not believe in retail shops or online sales. The brand is centred around exclusivity, and the founder, Joel Arthur Rosenthal, is notoriously reclusive and private. He believes that the pleasure and mystery of the source are lost if his perfumes can be bought anywhere in the world.
One of the JAR boutiques is located in Place Vendôme, Paris. Place Vendôme is a grandiose square in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, built on the orders of Louis XIV to embody absolute power in the heart of the city. Over time, the square became a showcase for luxury goods, with the world's top jewellery brands turning it into a continuous stream of sparkling window displays.
To get to Place Vendôme, you can fly into Paris and take a taxi or public transport to the square, which is located north of the Tuileries Gardens and east of the Église de la Madeleine. The square is also accessible by car if you are within driving distance of Paris.
When visiting the JAR boutique in Place Vendôme, it is important to note that you need an appointment. You will be the only customer during your appointed time, led by an associate whose job is not to sell but to provide you with an experience. Samples are not permitted, and you will only be allowed to smell the perfumes as they are revealed to you from under a cloche. You will not know the names of the perfumes, and no photography is allowed.
So, if you are willing to embrace the unique and exclusive experience that JAR offers, travelling to Place Vendôme in Paris is certainly worth it to immerse yourself in the world of JAR perfumes.
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Frequently asked questions
JAR perfumes are available at the Rue de Castiglione boutique in Paris, France, and at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City, USA.
No, JAR perfumes are not available for purchase online. The brand's philosophy is that their creations should not be available everywhere in the world, as it would rob some of the joy and mystery inherent in them.
Yes, you need an appointment to buy JAR perfumes. You will be the only customer, led at all times by an associate whose job is not to sell but to give you an experience.
No, samples are not permitted. There is no spraying on the skin or test strips, and you are only allowed to smell things as they are revealed to you from under a cloche.
JAR perfumes are expensive, with prices ranging from $400 to $900 per ounce or up to 600 euros for a 30ml bottle, or up to 600 euros.
