Johann Maria Farina

Giovanni Maria Farina (German: Johann Maria Farina, French: Jean Marie Farina; 8 December 1685 – 25 November 1766) was an Italian-born perfumier in Germany who created the first Eau de Cologne.

Life Farina was born in Santa Maria Maggiore in the Duchy of Milan (under Habsburg rule). He settled in Cologne (Electorate of Cologne, Holy Roman Empire) in 1706 (as business representative of his uncle) and joined the company of his brother Johann Baptist Farina (1683–1732) which he had founded on 17 July 1709. This company would eventually become Johann Maria Farina gegenüber dem Jülichs-Platz GmbH (as of 1 March 1733), the world’s oldest perfume factory still in existence.

His subtle fragrance Eau de Cologne became rapidly famous worldwide and in the 18th century was an indispensable accessory at all royal courts. The perfume maker chose to call his perfume after his new hometown so as to honour it. Indeed, at the time when Farina first moved to Cologne, there were very strict laws regarding foreign settlers. Farina was granted citizenship and, in order to show off his gratitude, he named his very first creation Eau de Cologne (lit. French: "Water of Cologne"). This perfume, being a real sensation at the time, contributed to Cologne’s global fame.

Being the very first perfume of its kind on the market, the word "Cologne" quickly became a household name.

Cologne refers to a perfume which is usually refreshingly light, unisex, with a citrus-based head note.

The perfume was given a French name because, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the French language was spoken in European high society and also used by tradesmen, hence Farina's name decision. Counterfeits of the perfume only appeared at the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution, Napoleon's troops occupied Cologne from 1794 to 1814 and introduced freedom of trade. Back then, registered trademarks did not exist, so there were many counterfeits.

Death and legacy Farina died on 25 November 1766 in Cologne, aged 80. Today, the 8th generation of the Farina family still produces the original Eau de Cologne.

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