Paloma Picasso, daughter of renowned artist Pablo Picasso, launched her eponymous fragrance line in 1984 in collaboration with L’Oréal. As a designer already known for her jewellery collections with Tiffany & Co. and her bold red lipsticks, she brought her distinctive style and artistic heritage to the fragrance industry.

Her debut fragrance, Paloma Picasso Mon Parfum (1984), immediately established itself as a powerful statement in perfumery. This dramatic chypre fragrance features an intense blend of oakmoss, patchouli, woody notes, and florals, reflecting Paloma’s bold personal style and Spanish heritage. The striking black bottle with red accents became as iconic as the scent itself, embodying her signature aesthetic of contrasting colours.

The success of her first fragrance led to the creation of Minotaure (1992), her first men’s fragrance. Named after the mythological creature that held special significance in her father’s work, this aromatic fougère combines lavender, geranium, and sandalwood. The bottle design, featuring a distinctive sculptural cap, reflected both her artistic background and contemporary ’90s aesthetics.

Among her best-selling creations is Paloma Picasso Tentations (1996), a fruity-floral fragrance that offered a lighter, more playful alternative to her original scent. This was followed by Picasso (1998), which continued the brand’s tradition of bold, sophisticated fragrances.

The brand extended its range with several successful flankers, including Mon Parfum Sublime (2010), a modern reinterpretation of the original scent with added warmth and sensuality. The original Mon Parfum, however, remains their most iconic and best-selling product, having achieved cult status among perfume enthusiasts.

Beyond fragrances, the Paloma Picasso brand became known for its distinctive range of cosmetics, particularly its signature red lipstick shade, Mon Rouge, which was inspired by her childhood memories of fashion-forward women in 1970s Paris.

Today, while some of her fragrances have become harder to find, Paloma Picasso Mon Parfum continues to be produced and maintains a devoted following. The scent is particularly appreciated by connoisseurs of classic chypre fragrances and is often cited as one of the last great chypres before oakmoss restrictions changed the perfume landscape.