Rose 31 was the perfume that set us up for Santal. When we started the brand, we originally developed nine fragrances with no idea as to which would be the most popular. Rose 31 all of a sudden became our best seller. [...] It gave us the means to develop the brand, open new stores and protect our creative autonomy. In the early years, it accounted for about 60 percent of our sales and ’til this day remains one of our best sellers. Then, as you know, along came Santal 33 — the result of a very happy accident.
— Eddie Roschi of Le Labo on the brand's early growth. Read more at How to Succeed: Eddie Roschi, co-founder of Le Labo at Lifestyle Asia.
I interviewed at one of the brand’s Paris locations over the summer. While I didn’t get the gig (my French is awful and I know it!) they invited me to come back once my language skills improved. I’ve always admired the brand and this interview confirms my intuition was spot-on! Love them.
Work on that French
I have it on good authority that some Vanille 44 may mysteriously appear in your mailbox when I do.
I guess that means I should send you a French textbook, LOL!
I’m tired of smelling Santal 33 around NYC, but its success does fascinate me! And that’s really interesting about Rose 31 being the previous best-seller. Thanks for the link.
It is really odd!
I thought Rose 31 was the best of the original 9, and I think it’s much better than Santal 33. But I would not want to smell either on everybody in town.
They sound like a decent company. I Have never sniffed any Le Labo and so it is always strange to hear about how popular Santal 33 is . I saw that Gaynor mentioned it is now in NZ though so maybe it will take over here.
I spent a week in Canada back in June and stayed almost exclusively at Fairmont Hotels. Much to my delight, they had bottles of Rose 31 conditioner, shampoo, shower gel, and lotion! You can bet I stocked up.