Jackie Kennedy’s Signature Scent Used Over 10,000 Flowers Per Bottle!

Jackie Kennedy is among those iconic figures who have left an indelible mark on history. Known for her impeccable, elegant, and sophisticated style, her favorite perfume naturally draws attention and inspiration. The former First Lady of the United States consistently chose a well-known fragrance created by a French house.

In 2006, authors Shelly Branch and Sue Callaway detailed Jackie Kennedy’s style and beauty routines in their book “What Would Jackie Do?”. Among various fragrances mentioned, such as Lovely Patchouli 585 by Krigler (a gift from her second husband), or Jicky by Guerlain, one stood out prominently. She was particularly loyal to Jean Patou’s creation, Joy, which was considered the most expensive perfume in the world during the 1950s and 60s due to its luxurious raw materials.

During the 1920s, as the Jean Patou house was expanding, its founder decided to venture into perfumery. He enlisted the expertise of perfumer Henri Almeras and together they created three scents in 1925. However, it was the 1929 launch of Joy that gained international acclaim. The backstory adds to its allure: as the world recovered from the war and plunged into an unprecedented financial crisis, Jean Patou asked his friend to compose a fragrance using the most exquisite materials available. This formula included May roses, jasmine from Grasse, and Bulgarian roses. According to the specialized website Olfastory, “approximately 10,600 jasmine flowers from Grasse and 28 dozen May roses are required to produce just 30 ml of extract“. These exquisite florals are complemented by notes of peach, ylang-ylang, tuberose, iris, musk, and sandalwood.

The result is a fragrance that is both unique and sensually mythical. Joy marked a pivotal moment in post-war perfumery, a time when new creations were scarce. While it is no longer available in mainstream retail, a few bottles can still be found on specialized websites for collectors.