Diptyque

Diptyque, founded in 1961 by three Parisian artists—Christiane Gautrot, Desmond Knox-Leet, and Yves Coueslant—began as a quirky little shop on Boulevard Saint-Germain selling printed fabrics and eclectic treasures. But it was the brand’s foray into fragrance, particularly candles, that turned it into a global cult phenomenon. With scents like “Baies” and “Figuier” wafting through chic homes worldwide, Diptyque managed to elevate the humble candle into a status symbol, where even the empty jars are coveted décor. The brand’s minimal black-and-white labels became shorthand for understated luxury, though some critics might argue that $70 for a candle is, well, a burning question of priorities. Despite its artisanal roots, Diptyque has expanded with corporate backing, treading the fine line between exclusive and overexposed. The legacy? A brand that proved the scent of success comes in a glass jar, and that the French still know a thing or two about style.