Cacharel - Designer History
Literally born into the fashion industry in Paris, 1932 as the son of a sewing machine seller, Jean Louis Henri Bousquet trained in college as a tailor. He worked two years professionally as a designer before returning to Paris to launch his first fashion house. His ensuing success motivated him to visualize and create Cacharel in 1962, a brand of ready-to-wear clothing, perfume and accessories inspired by his unique conception of the social evolution of women. In 1964 he launched the namesake company with a collection of brightly colored skirts and blouses that outraged the fashion industry but was undeniably successful, the moniker inspired by the garganey, a rare breeding duck indigenous to Arles, France. He followed with prêt-a-porter collections for men and children, and his designs became notorious for youthful flair, modernity, airiness, refinement and bright colors. Bousquet’s designs were launched into international notoriety in 1963 with the unveiling of his seersucker blouse on the cover of ELLE Magazine. He was instrumental in the launch and birth of prêt-a-porter, the international fashion expo and trend hub still in existence. As an added point of interest, in addition to being the Chairman of Cacharel, Bousquet was the mayor of Nimes from 1983-1995.
Still a privately held company, today’s modern incarnation of the brand is fronted by the Brit design team, Clements Ribiero. The look remains true to its roots: young, fresh and modern, but incorporating just the right amount of throwback flair to the once-emerging age of prêt-a-porter.
Cacharel - Fragrance History
1975 saw the union of Bousquet with the notoriety of L'Oréal for the development of scents, and in 1978 the highly successful perfume, Anaïs Anaïs, was unveiled, noted for its lily-inspired aroma and as an expression of femininity poetically in search of its identity. Many more successful fragrances were to follow, including: Cacharel pour l'Homme, Loulou, Eden, Loulou Blue, Eau d'Eden, Noa, Nemo, Gloria, Amor Amor, Amor Amor Eau Fraiche, Noa Fleur, Noa Perle, Promesse and Amor pour Homme. The most recent in this incredibly successful scent line is Liberté, inspired by the French cake, chamonix. Top model Gisele Bündchen is the current face of Liberte and Cacharel Parfums, following in the famous footsteps of Kate Moss for Anaïs Anaïs and Laetitia Casta for Promesse.
