The story of Jean-Louis Scherrer
Jean-Louis Scherrer first trained as a dancer. A fall pushed him toward fashion. After graduating from the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, he joined Dior in 1956 and worked alongside Yves Saint Laurent. In 1962 he opened his own house on rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré. His first collection was shown in a cellar. In the early 1970s he moved to 51 avenue Montaigne. The house then branched out into ready-to-wear and perfume. The first scent, Scherrer, came out in 1979. Scherrer 2 followed in 1986. In 1990 the house came under Japanese control, and the designer was pushed out in 1992. The last avenue Montaigne boutique closed at the end of 2008. Scherrer died in 2013. His perfumes are still sold at low prices.
An olfactory signature
The two Scherrer perfumes tell the story of two decades. The 1979 original is a green floral chypre. Violet, rose and jasmine rest on sandalwood, amber and vetiver. It has the upright posture of couture scents from that time. Scherrer 2, from 1986, slides toward floral oriental. It is rounder and warmer, in the opulent mood of the mid-1980s. Neither chases trends. Both carry a drawing-room elegance, and the first is rather stern.
Which Jean-Louis Scherrer perfume to choose?
If you like green chypres and violet, start with Jean-Louis Scherrer, the 1979 scent. It suits the office and cool days. Scherrer 2 is more generous and better at night in winter. Both are still cheap, which makes them an easy way into 1980s perfumery. The formulas have been adjusted since launch. One spray is enough for Scherrer 2.