Featured Collection

THE STORY BEHIND GRAVEL

A brand that looks back on a vibrant past spanning decades. Since its founding in 1957, GRAVEL has seen trends come and go while always staying true to itself. Perfumes that, like the gravel pebbles in every bottle, endure through time.

Dive into the eventful history of GRAVEL, one of the oldest perfume manufacturers still available today in the USA, and its visionary founder!

Der Gründer der Nischenduftparfumerie Gravel Michael Knudsen

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The Foundation

Michael B. Knudsen, the visionary behind GRAVEL, overcame numerous challenges to realize his dream of creating his own perfume.

He began in the 1950s with his first creation. At that time, it was not yet foreseeable that he would develop a classic that would mark the beginning of over 70 years of perfume history with numerous fragrances.

Each fragrance of the SIGNATURE COLLECTION tells the story of Michael B. Knudsen's remarkable life journey and bears his unmistakable signature. Born in Scandinavia in 1911, he already took the leap across the ocean to America in the 1930s. A young man who, like so many of his generation, succumbed to the promises of the American dream. It was the golden era of Hollywood, and Knudsen too fell for the charms of the film industry. As a charismatic and handsome young man, he appeared in several films and immersed himself in the glamorous world of show business. This shaped his refined taste, his preference for beauty, and his luxurious lifestyle. From that time date the numerous connections of GRAVEL to prominent personalities and members of high society.

Michael Knudsen als Visionär der Nischenduftmarke Gravel

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The first perfume

In the 1950s, wearing perfume in the USA, especially for men, was not yet a given; they mostly used aftershave. However, Knudsen pursued the vision of creating a fragrance that is both unmistakable and timeless. He dreamed of a perfume where scent, design, name, and presentation harmoniously merge and are so unique that it could break through the reservations towards perfumes at the time. A perfume that stays in the memory of everyone who once holds it in their hands.

New York als Schlüsselstadt der Erfolgsgeschichte von der Nischenduftparfumerie Gravel

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The first years

In 1957, after completing his fragrance, Knudsen wanted to gift the first three produced bottles to an NBC editor. By chance, he passed by the F. R. Tripler store on 46th Street, a gentlemen's outfitter renowned for generations in Manhattan. Spontaneously, he decided to introduce his perfume there. The staff were skeptical and wondered about his optimism to get into the assortment so close to Christmas. However, the buyer for fragrance and drugstore items, who happened to overhear the incident, was impressed by GRAVEL and promptly included it in the assortment. This moment marked the beginning of an impressive success story. From then on, GRAVEL was only available in the most exclusive stores and quickly gained cult status. Personalities such as Dave Garroway on the NBC Today Show, Hermione Gingold, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, and many others featured the fragrance on their shows. Over the years, a loyal fan base formed, including numerous celebrities who often bought several bottles at once to avoid long waiting times. GRAVEL significantly contributed to the fragrance boom in the USA during the 1960s.

Christian Bessing von Gravel mit einem Nischenduftflakon in der Hand

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The Evolution of GRAVEL

After Knudsen's death, GRAVEL was forgotten for some time and became a rare vintage perfume, only found in private collections. Christian Blessing, a passionate GRAVEL enthusiast, experienced this firsthand. The fascination with the complex, timeless scents and the unique history of the brand had captivated him.

Out of the desire to be able to use the perfumes again, the wish arose in him to restore GRAVEL to its former glory. The multi-year search for the heirs of the trademark rights and the persuasion to buy a piece of American history from them were intense. The focus was always on the desire to return GRAVEL to a family-run company that remains true to Knudsen's ideals and the values of the brand. After years of absence, it was possible in 2018 to bring GRAVEL back to the market and continue the legacy in Knudsen's spirit. Today, just like back then, the fragrances are presented exclusively in selected boutiques.

Knudsen himself laid the foundation for GRAVEL's lasting success. He personally selected the stones for each bottle on the Hudson River and supervised production until his death at the advanced age of 98. His impressive personality and multifaceted life position GRAVEL as one of the oldest perfume brands still available in the USA.

Since the restart, Christian Blessing has devoted himself with dedication to the evolution of the GRAVEL brand. With a clear vision for the future, he takes on new challenges and dares to take bold steps to further advance the brand. The foundation is an uncompromising pursuit of quality, down to the smallest detail. Fragrances are revived, new compositions created, and products developed that not only honor GRAVEL's rich history but also meet the high expectations of a discerning clientele today.

TRANSCENDENCE

With the TRANSCENDENCE COLLECTION, GRAVEL opens a new chapter in its long history – driven by our aspiration (EAU D'ASPIRATION) for olfactory excellence, this collection reflects GRAVEL's deeply rooted passion for extraordinary fragrances and uncompromising perfume artistry.

At the center is the desire (EAU D'ESIRE) for perfumes that are more than just scent: they are the olfactory echo of deep emotions. Bold, impressive compositions that enhance one’s presence and mirror the inner self. For individual personalities who follow their own path – determined, dominant (EAU D'DOMINANCE) and full of drive.

GRAVEL stands for continuous evolution (EAU D'EVOLUTION) – a constant rethinking of the art of fragrance. Our perfumes accompany you on your journey, underline your development, and capture those unique moments that make life special.

Our fragrances are more than perfumes. They are an expression of an attitude. An expression of a brand that constantly reinvents itself – without ever losing itself.