Floris
was founded in 1730 by Juan Famenias Floris, who arrived in England
from his native island of Menorca to seek fortune. Shortly after his
arrival, in 1730, he secured premises in Jermyn Street, in the elegant
quarter of London's St.James. Juan Famenias Floris initially set up
business as a barber and comb-maker, however, he soon missed the aromas
and sensations of his Mediterranean youth.
Floris
holds two Royal Warrants: the first was granted to J.Floris Ltd was in
1820 as 'Smooth Pointed Comb-makers' to the then newly appointed King
George IV. Today this first Royal warrant is still on display at 89
Jermyn Street together with no less than sixteen others. Floris holds
two today: Perfumers to HM The Queen Elizabeth II and Manufacturers of
Toilet Preparations to HRH The Prince of Wales.
Since
opening in 1730, Floris has provided fragrance, fine toiletries and
accessories to an incredibly loyal customer base. The Floris archives
hold reams of treasured letters from customers detailing their
preferences and their thanks, examples include:
Florence
Nightingale: 25th July 1863 - thanking Mr.Floris for his
'sweet-smelling nosegay' and giving news of the Army's sickness record
in India.
Mary Shelley, who whilst abroad sent friends clear instructions on where to purchase her favourite combs: Floris.
Beau Brummell, the dandy of his day in the early 19th century, would discuss his current perfume and cologne fragrance items at length with Mr.Floris.
Floris
is even a fictional character's choice! Ian Fleming's James Bond always
wore Floris No.89, while Al Pacino's character in Scent of a Woman
famously declared he knew the woman in his 'sights' (sic) was wearing
Floris fragrance.
In addition to
the Floris Jermyn Street shop, Floris has a shop in exclusive Madison
Avenue, New York in 1986. Similar in style to the Jermyn Street shop,
Floris Madison Avenue is also the focus for all Floris sales across the
USA.
The London store is in Jermyn Street, London
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