Jacques Polge

Jacques Polge
Born	(1943-06-14) 14 June 1943 (age 82) L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, French Third Republic
Occupation	Perfumer
Years active	1970-2015
Employer	Chanel (1978-2015)
Children	Olivier Polge
Awards	Ordre national du Mérite

Jacques Polge (born 14 June 1943) is a French perfumer, best known for his role as Head Perfumer at Les Parfums Chanel from 1978 to 2015. ^[1]

Early life

Jacques Polge grew up near Avignon, France where he says he was inspired as a child by the scent of air in the surroundings of Grasse, which was redolent with the scent of jasmine. ^{[2] [3]} After university, Jacques Polge began a traditional apprenticeship in Grasse under the guidance of Jean Carles. ^[1]

Works

• 1970 - Rive Gauche , Yves Saint Laurent
• 1983 - Diva, Emanuel Ungaro ^[4]
• 1987 - Senso, Emanuel Ungaro
• 1990 - Ungaro, Emanuel Ungaro
• 1989 - Tiffany for Men, Tiffany

Polge's perfumes at Chanel include:

• 1982 - Antaeus
• 1984 - Coco

inspired by the Parisian home of Coco Chanel ^[5]

• 1990 - Égoïste

originally launched as a limited edition scent named "Bois Noir"' in 1987, the fragrance was eventually relaunched to the general market under the name Égoïste. Jacques Polge has said Égoïste is his favourite creation. ^[6]

including Égoïste Platinum (1993)

• 1996 - Allure
• 1999 - Allure Homme

including flankers

Allure Homme Sport (2004),

Allure Homme Sport Cologne (2007),

Allure Homme Edition Blanche (2008),

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme (2012).

• 2001 - Coco Mademoiselle

winner of FiFi Award for Best National Advertising Campaign / TV in 2008

• 2002 - Chance
• 2010 - Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette including Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum (2014)
• Les Exclusifs de Chanel fragrances notably Coromandel and Sycomore created with Christopher Sheldrake.
• 2012 - Coco Noir

created with Christopher Sheldrake

References

1. Kerr, Alison (31 March 2006). "Channelling chanel". The Scotsman. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
2. Grinnell, SunHee (28 September 2008). "Chanel "Nose" Jacques Polge". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
3. "Jacques Polge:Interview", The Fragrance Foundation, archived from the original on 13 June 2010, retrieved 23 November 2022
4. "Emanuel Ungaro". emungaro.ru. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
5. "Coco Chanel, parfum mythique pour femme". Vogue (in French). 2008. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
6. Gaboué, Stéphane (2 September 2010). "Q&A with Legendary Chanel Perfumer Jacques Polge". Hint. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2011.