Eight & Bob

Eight & Bob, a perfume house, has a fascinating and unique history that dates back to the early 20th century. The brand was created by Albert Fouquet, a Parisian aristocrat and perfume connoisseur. In the tranquility of the upper floor of his family's chateau, Fouquet crafted exquisite fragrances with the assistance of Philippe, the family butler. His fragrances quickly became a sensation among the elite French society he was part of, but despite the demand, Fouquet rejected proposals to commercialize his creations​​.

The story took an unexpected turn in the summer of 1937 when Fouquet met a young American student touring France in a convertible - John F. Kennedy. The encounter would soon lead to the inception of the brand's name​​. Upon returning to the U.S., Kennedy wrote to Fouquet, thanking him for the fragrance he had shared and requested more samples, including one for his friend Bob. With his meticulous attention to detail, Fouquet found suitable glass bottles in a Parisian pharmacy and decorated the boxes with the same pattern as the shirt JFK had worn when they met. Obliging the amusing request, Fouquet named the bottles and boxes "EIGHT & BOB"​​.

The fragrance quickly gained popularity in America among Hollywood directors, producers, and actors, including Cary Grant and James Stewart, who had learned about it through Kennedy's father. However, tragedy struck when Fouquet died in an automobile accident in 1939, and the onset of World War II forced Philippe, the only one who could handle the orders, to abandon his work with the Fouquet family. Before leaving, Philippe made final shipments, cleverly hiding the bottles inside hand-cut books to protect them from the Nazis​​.

Decades passed, but the formula for "EIGHT & BOB" was eventually fully recovered, along with its intricate production process. It has since reclaimed its status as one of the most exclusive fragrances, admired by the world's most elegant men and women​​.

Adding to the brand's distinctiveness is its limited production due to the rarity of "Andrea", a key ingredient found in the Andes that Albert had discovered on a trip to Chile in 1934. This plant can only be harvested during December and January, with only a small fraction passing the rigorous selection process. The limited availability of Andrea determines how many units of "EIGHT & BOB" can be produced each year, adding to the exclusivity of the fragrance​​.

Today, Eight & Bob continues to be celebrated for its unique fragrances that are a testament to its rich heritage. While the brand's story has been passed down through generations and involves some fictionalized elements, the essence of Eight & Bob's history remains. The brand represents a legacy of elegance, exclusivity, and a passion for fragrance that continues to inspire stylish men and women every day​​.