Story: The Delavigne Legend (Chapter 1) (Scene 1 of 2)

The Tale of Bruno Delavigne

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a man who loved the smells of life. Everybody in Paris knows the story of Xavier Delavigne, who started one of the most dynamic cosmetics companies of today. Born in 1905, Xavier was a simple man who created complex perfumes. He was known as the 'Father of Fragrance', but it was his grandson Bruno who brought international recognition to the Delavigne name. Eventually, Bruno transformed Xavier's humble perfume shop in Montmartre into a world-renowned, multi-national cosmetics company. Bruno Delavigne went from a perfumer'sassistant in Paris to the president and CEO of the Delavigne Corporation, based in San Francisco. This is Bruno's story. 

Born on July 14, 1966, Bruno Delavigne spent the first years of his childhood in San Francisco with his older brother Felix. He often visited the garden, where he gathered lavender, lilac and jasmine. Bruno mixed these flowers with red wine to create homemade perfumes which he tested on the familydog, Stink. Stink allowed Bruno to spray him with various odors and fragrances. Stink was unhappy, but he was the best-smelling dog in the area. While other children played football after school, Bruno invented perfumes in his room. Bruno was sent to Paris at the age of 13 to learn the art of fragrance from his grandfather.

a fragrance: un parfum

fragrant: parfumé, odorant

CEO (chief executive officer): DG, directeur général