Once upon a time there was a girl that lived in New York who liked perfume. She was one of the first people writing online in 2009, back when trade shows were wonderful, and Perfume Expo was a favorite. We met Bernard Naim there, and he educated us on Jacques Fath right down to the book, and we subsequently featured Fath de Fath, Green Water, Pour L'Homme and Irissime way back in 2009. The girl is still in New York and still loves perfume and 30,000 posts later, we are absolutely thrilled to return to this elite top quality brand made in France, Jacques Fath! And the men of Whom You Know love Green Water more than ever! This is absolutely the fragrance of the summer for men around the world who seek fresh, clean, striking sophistication in an elevated style that sets them apart.
TOP NOTES:
Neroli, Bergamot, Mandarin
HEART NOTES:
Mint, Basil, Tarragon
BASE NOTES:
Vetiver, Oakmoss, Grey Amber
THE FRAGRANCE:
Green Water By Jacques Fath
A mythical fragrance. A timeless and elegant freshness.
Created in 1946 by perfumer Vincent Roubert, Green Water is classified as a modern fragrance. In 2016, Jacques Fath Parfums along with the fine sensibility of Cecile Zarokian, re-habilitated noble ingredients such as large quantities of Neroli into this complex scent. A distinctive composition with fresh and clean notes.
Perfumer: Cecile Zarokian
BEHIND THE SCENES – by Cecile Zarokian
“I was both flattered and challenged when Maison Jacques Fath Parfums approached me for the Green Water project. It’s a reference in perfumery, and I was eager to contribute to its renewal. Without any access to the formula, I exchanged and worked in close collaboration with Jacques Fath Parfums and also with Mr. Jean Kerleo, perfumer and founder of Osmothèque Conservatoire International des Parfums. We studied the 1946 fragrance and worked accordingly, I then submitted my trials to Mr. Jean Kerleo, and he gave me additional details about the original perfume and its story. In order to keep its distinctive freshness, I used lavish quantities of Neroli to ensure a qualitative result, among other ingredients.”
Perfumer Vincent Roubert in the laboratory
THE ORIGINS
Green Water was created in 1946 by perfumer Vincent Roubert for Jacques Fath, at the height of his career as a celebrated French couturier. In an era of renewal and transformation, Green Water emerged as a breath of fresh air—bold, sophisticated, and full of vitality, embodying the spirit of resilience and new beginnings.
It was one of the first fragrances to prominently feature Neroli, paired with Citrus, Basil, and Oakmoss, setting the standard for fresh, green, and refined elegance in perfumery at the time.
GREEN WATER THROUGH THE YEARS...
1960’s
1970’s
1980’s
1990’s
REVIVING AN ICON
Under the direction of Creative Director, Rania Naim, for the Fath’s Essentials collection, perfumer Cécile Zarokian was chosen to revive Green Water in 2016, staying true to the original DNA while modernizing it for today’s wearer.
“I was both flattered and challenged when La Maison Jacques Fath Parfums approached me for the Green Water project. It’s a reference in perfumery, and I was eager to contribute to its renewal. Without any access to the formula, I exchanged and worked in close collaboration with Jacques Fath Parfums and also with Mr. Jean Kerleo, perfumer and founder of Osmothèque Conservatoire International des Parfums. We studied the 1946 fragrance and worked accordingly, I then submitted my trials to Mr. Jean Kerleo, and he gave me additional details about the original perfume and its story. In order to keep its distinctive freshness, I used lavish quantities of Neroli to ensure a qualitative result, among other ingredients.” – Cécile Zarokian
GREEN WATER HAS EARNED WHOM YOU KNOW'S HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.
the brand
JACQUES FATH PARFUMS
Born in France in 1912, Jacques Fath’s passion for fashion led to the opening of his first Couture house in Paris in 1937. His unique and glamorous style quickly attracted success, dressing the ‘young chic Parisian’ and influential clientele. Notably, Hubert de Givenchy, Guy Laroche and Valentino Garavani worked as assistants in his atelier, later founding their own Fashion Houses.
The perfumes’ saga begins with the launch of Chasuble in 1945 and later, with the iconic creations of IRIS GRIS and GREEN WATER in collaboration with perfumer Vincent Roubert, solidifying Jacques Fath Parfums’ legendary status in Haute Parfumerie.
THE HERITAGE
“Once upon a time, there was a man named Jacques Fath. He was obsessed with dresses.” – Jéromine Savignon, Fashion Historian and Author
The story of La Maison Jacques Fath Parfums begins with our founder, Jacques Fath.
A star French couturier of the mid-20th century, he was known for his bold, modern designs and magnetic influence on the era’s fashion. His creative vision extended beyond couture, shaping a distinctive approach to perfumery.
1912 - Early Life & Education
Born on September 6, 1912, in Maisons-Laffitte, Jacques Fath was drawn to creativity and self-expression from an early age. With fashion illustration in his lineage—his paternal great-grandparents were esteemed illustrators—his innate passion for design seemed almost inevitable. Some of his earliest memories were of the gardens at his grandparents’ home just north of Paris, a place filled with peculiar objects and unique furnishings. He often credited this enchanting environment as the source of inspiration for his creativity, artistry, and world of fantasy. He spent his childhood drawing, designing costumes, and writing plays.
Despite his artistic inclinations, he initially followed a conventional educational path, attending the Institut Commercial in Vincennes at his parents’ request. However, academia could not contain his restless creativity, and he soon found himself drawn to the world of fashion and the arts. It was within this world that he crossed paths with Geneviève Bouchet, a striking fashion model and former secretary to Chanel. More than just a muse, she became his greatest inspiration. The two married—becoming the golden couple of Parisian high society.
1937 - Jacques F. Fath & Company Established
Largely self-taught, Jacques Fath had no formal training in couture. To refine his understanding of garment construction and aesthetics, he turned to a friend who introduced him to Madame Gulbenkian—who would later become his business partner.
In 1937, at just 25 years old, Fath boldly launched his own fashion house in Paris, debuting in a modest two-room salon at 32 Rue La Boétie. His clientele initially came from his circle of affluent Parisian friends and acquaintances. Even in these early years, his designs stood out for their modernity, playfulness, and keen understanding of the female form, setting him apart from more traditional couturiers.
Fath’s innovative approach also included introducing thematic collections, making him the first couturier to infuse his work with narrative-driven concepts. This marked the beginning of a more imaginative and expressive approach to fashion that would define his career.
1939 - Building a Legacy as a Couturier
By the late 1930s, Fath’s work was thriving, offering an escape into a world of glamour and sophistication. Navigating the challenges of the era, in the early 1940s, he moved his atelier to a hôtel particulier at 39 Avenue Pierre-Ier-de-Serbie, cementing his legendary status as a couturier. Unlike the often serious and disciplined atmosphere of other couture houses, Fath’s atelier was known for its lively spirit, a reflection of his own magnetic personality. By the late 1940s, he had firmly established himself among the leading couturiers of the era, alongside Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior—who was even considered his greatest rival.
Jacques Fath’s fashion was synonymous with bold femininity, sensuality, and movement. His designs emphasized the hourglass silhouette, nipped waists, and dramatic details—embodying the essence of Parisian chic. His clientele included some of the most glamorous women of the time, such as Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, and Greta Garbo.
He was also a mentor to young talents who would later shape the future of fashion: Hubert de Givenchy, Guy Laroche, and Valentino Garavani all trained under him before launching their own fashion houses.
1945 - From Haute Couture to Haute Parfumerie
In 1945, Jacques Fath expanded his creative universe beyond fashion, recognizing that scent was a natural extension of personal style and self-expression. His first fragrance, Chasuble (1945), set the foundation for what was to come—sophisticated compositions that embodied Fath’s vision of modern femininity.
Following this, he partnered with renowned perfumer Vincent Roubert to create two legendary fragrances that would leave a lasting mark on haute parfumerie.
Their first collaboration, Green Water (1946), revolutionized the world of men’s fragrances. This aromatic citrus composition, built around bitter Orange, Neroli, and Oakmoss, was groundbreaking in its time, offering a fresh yet refined alternative to the heavier, more traditional masculine scents of the era. Even decades later, Green Water remains an iconic reference in perfumery.
However, it was Vincent Roubert’s second creation, Iris Gris (1947), that would become Jacques Fath’s most celebrated masterpiece. Widely regarded as one of the greatest perfumes ever created, Iris Gris was an opulent yet ethereal blend of rich Orris Butter and Peach, perfectly balancing powdery elegance with a luminous dreamlike quality.
Fath continued to expand his olfactory repertoire with fragrances that captured the allure and sophistication of his fashion house. Canasta (1950) was a striking chypre fragrance, named after the popular card game of the era, embodying a rich and confident femininity. Other notable creations included Fath de Fath (1953), composed by perfumer Jacques Bersia, was an intense and mysterious floral-oriental composition that exuded seduction and glamour.
1954 - The Loss of a Visionary
Despite his remarkable success, Jacques Fath’s life was tragically cut short. In 1954, at the height of his influence, he passed away at just 42 years old. With his absence, many of his beloved fragrances gradually faded from production, and the house of Jacques Fath faced an uncertain future.
Yet, true artistry never truly disappears—it waits to be rediscovered. Decades later, the brand was revived with a deep respect for Fath’s legacy, ensuring that his daring creativity and unmistakable elegance would continue to inspire new generations. Today, the house of Jacques Fath remains committed to preserving his spirit, reinterpreting his heritage through haute parfumerie.
The Jacques Fath logo, adorned with a crown, scissors, fleur-de-lis, and two unicorns, carries the enduring symbols of the brand’s heritage. Steeped in tradition, it reflects the legacy and artistry that continue to define the house of Jacques Fath.
THE STORY
ORIGIN
Born in France in 1912, Jacques Fath’s early fascination for fashion led to the opening of his first Couture house in Paris in 1937. His unique and glamorous style quickly attracted success, dressing the ‘young Chic Parisian’ and influential clientele. Notably, Hubert de Givenchy, Guy Laroche and Valentino Garavani worked as assistants in his atelier, later founding their own fashion houses.
The perfumes’ saga begins with the launch of Chasuble in 1945 and later, with the iconic creations of Iris Gris and Green Water in collaboration with perfumer Vincent Roubert, solidifying Jacques Fath Perfumes’ legendary status in niche Haute Parfumerie.
CONCEPT
The spirit of Jacques Fath is captured today within the contemporary design and emblematic codes of the ‘Fath’s Essentials Collection.’ Creative Director, Rania Naim, collaborated with independent perfumers Cécile Zarokian and Luca Maffei in 2016, and more recently with IFF master perfumer Jean-Christophe Hérault, to create the Fath’s Essentials Collection. This range of fragrances embodies Jacques Fath’s vibrant personality and unique fashion style.
Cécile’s work is enchanting; each new perfume creation unveils a universe that transports the senses through different territories. Exceptional raw materials, such as Neroli or Grey Amber, used for the revisited mythical Green Water, as well as for other Jacques Fath creations like Bel Ambre, Red Shoes, and Curacao Bay, marking the signatures of this unique collection.
For Luca, the direction was different: no longer relying on a classic brand pillar, but drawing from a rich and varied olfactory palette, utilizing the most innovative and noble raw materials to create feminine fragrances like Les Frivolités and Lilas Exquis. This also pays tribute to Jacques Fath’s ‘joie de vivre.’
With Jean-Christophe, he has infused innovative methods into his approach to achieve ‘beautiful, classic and rigorous perfumery and a more whimsical modernism.’ The collection has expanded with Vetiver Gris, a bright contemporary fragrance; Jasmin de Toscane, which revolves around a unique jasmine used for the first time in a perfume; and most recently, Encens Copal, a modern interpretation of incense, blending vibrant notes with White Copal to create a fresh, modern, and daring scent.
RANIA NAIM
CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF JACQUES FATH PARFUMS
A Short Biography
“The Parisian woman embodies a style, a state of mind, and an elegance distinguished by an indescribable – je ne sais quoi.”
This description particularly rings true when portraying Rania Naim, the Creative Director of Panouge Group. Based in Paris, the company’s portfolio includes French perfume brands such as Isabey Paris, Jacques Fath, Panouge Paris, and Japanese brand, Masakï Paris.
Born in Beirut, Rania cherishes memories of the strong scents, like tuberose, gardenia, jasmine, and precious aromatic woods, that surrounded her during childhood. As she shared with Vogue and Cosmétique mag, this is when she began developing an olfactory memory and the belief that a fragrance permeates and defines a person’s style.
Originally preparing for a career in the world of fashion as a stylist, Rania shifted her focus in Paris when she discovered the intricacies of the selective and niche perfumery. Passionate about the field and its infinite possibilities, she set her mind on making it the essence of her career.
The revival of Jacques Fath perfumes occurred in 2008 when Panouge Group acquired the brand. After several creations for the historical lineage, Rania decided that a complete break with style was the future and rethought the entire concept. In 2016, the new collection, ‘Fath’s Essentials,’ and then ‘L’IRIS DE FATH,’ a finalist at the FiFi Awards, reestablished the brand’s reputation linked to the great French couturier.
12 Avenue Victor Hugo, 75116 Paris, France
