The fortunes of a young British perfumer, James Atkinson, who left Cumberland in 1799 with his pet bear for London’s Soho, were inextricably linked to royalty. He would soon become the favoured perfumer to many European Royals, including the most regal of all: King George IV.
James Atkinson was 17 years old when he arrived in London. An exceptionally talented man who championed the qualities of courage, a noble spirit, and intuition. He also carried the formulae for his fragrances in his suit pocket, full of recipes for fine scents and toiletries. The young man quickly became a sensation in the sophisticated capital, which was right in the midst of the Regency period.
From Cumberland To Soho
Setting up shop at 44 Gerrard Street in Soho, he became a purveyor of genderless scents, soaps, and toiletries. One of his first fragrances was Otto of Rose – a rose-scented pomade made from precious essential oils extracted from Persian flowers.
Very quickly, the word spread about his heavenly perfumes, with Atkinsons’ elegant flacon gleaming discreetly in the dressing room of stylish ladies and gentlemen throughout the realm.
Atkinsons Eau de Cologne Changed Everything
James Atkinson’s breakthrough scent, and the one that would eventually win the patronage of King George IV, was a fearlessly English Eau de Cologne – a bold, heady fragrance with woody and spicy notes that was stronger than the citrus-based Italian scents that were popular at that time. However, it was fresh enough to be splashed liberally on the body, but it also had a lingering sillage or trail.
The Regency Era Was Peak Grooming Time
Atkinsons English Eau de Cologne was a scent of its time – the opulent Regency period with its literary superstars of Jane Austen, William Blake, and John Keats. It also saw the rise of the dandy when men were true peacocks. The Regency version of today’s influencers was Beau Brummel, who never stepped without perfume or powder but was shaved, bathed, and outfitted in fresh linens, a signature blue jacket, and an elaborately knotted cravat. He was the first dandy of the realm and adored Atkinsons fragrances.
Atkinsons Eau de Cologne Drifted From The Throne
As mentioned earlier on, King George IV also loved Atkinsons Eau de Cologne, which was perfectly aligned with the flamboyance and splendour of the times.
In 1826, James Atkinson was proclaimed the Official Perfumer to the Royal Court of England. He soon attracted other illustrious fans including Queen Victoria, the Duke of Wellington, and his arch-nemesis Napoleon, along with Queen Margherita of Savoy, Prince Tomasi di Lampedusa, and the Tsarina of Russia.
Interestingly, a flacon of Atkinsons White Rose perfume, which once belonged to the Tsarina of Russia, is on display at the Tsarskoye Selo Palace Museum in Saint Petersburg.
From Soho To Old Bond Street
In 1832 James Atkinson moved closer to Buckingham Palace to the real luxury shopping area of Mayfair at 24 Old Bond Street, which was soon redolent with lush, aromatic Atkinsons fragrances. Despite all the treasures on display in the nearby stores of this illustrious street, it was Atkinsons’ cut glass flacon that was among the most desired.
As Desirable Now As It Was Then
The Atkinsons fragrance collection today pays homage to that original flask. The etched pattern of the cap is a contemporary interpretation of the wickerwork overlay of the bottles James himself lined up with impeccable precision at 44 Gerrard Street. The Coat of Arms is also proudly displayed along with a bear motif on either side to honour James’ hirsute co-adventurer. The seal on the centre recalls Otto of Rose – the original rose-scented balm that first captivated British society in 1799.
The Fragrant Heartland Of Atkinsons Perfumes Is Now Italy
The brand is now manufactured near Milan to strengthen its green future along with sustainably sourced packaging and a commitment to reducing the impact on the environment.
A group of talented perfumers now emulates the work of James Atkinson with more than a dozen unisex fragrances created by such notable noses as Christine Nagel, Karine Dubreuil, and Benoist Lapouza, who have all been aligned with some of the top French houses.
They craft Atkinsons scents with a selection of premium raw materials in order to create distinguished, diffusive, persistent bouquets even at a softer essence. This sillage is, after all, a hallmark of Atkinsons’ genderless scents.
Wearing Atkinsons Today Is What Will Set You Apart
Elevate your scent wardrobe with Atkinsons’ award-winning fragrances. From the smoky, sensuous, exotic scents of the Orient to the elegant, romantic trail of delicate floral bouquets, every fragrance tells a story.
Discover The British Bouquet, inspired by Beau Brummell, with lavender, myrtle, bitter orange, and lemon, interwoven with a leather accord, Fashion Decree, reminiscent of an era when precious silk fabrics were layered with patchouli leaves to protect against insect damage, or the witty Oud Save the King, which is as charismatic and extravagantly elegant as the Crown Prince who inspired it.
Many of today’s scents are also named after key addresses on James Atkinson’s path to fame and include Gerrard Street, 41 Burlington Arcade, and 24 Old Bond Street, which is a classic cologne with notes of juniper and sheer soft rose.
So it’s now time to embark on your own fragrant journey and luxuriate in the perfumes that have fascinated Royal Courts throughout the ages. It’s a surefire way of setting yourself apart.
This article is sponsored by Atkinsons. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
