First
“First by Van Cleef & Arpels is a Floral Aldehyde fragrance for women”
The Quick Read
Respected, if divisive — a floral, green composition with a aldehydic undertone. Voted best for year-round wear, leaning feminine.
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Launched in 1976 by Van Cleef & Arpels, First is a Floral Aldehyde fragrance crafted by the renowned perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. This composition opens with aldehydes and citrus notes like bergamot and mandarin orange, creating an invigorating freshness that cuts through the air. As it develops, floral accords such as jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, and tuberose emerge, blending into a warm, powdery base of oakmoss, amber, and musk. This fragrance is neither loud nor understated; instead, it occupies an elegant middle ground that reflects the sophistication and refinement for which Van Cleef & Arpels is known.
Composition & Character
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
How It Wears
Application Tips
Apply First with two sprays to allow the initial freshness to give way to its floral heart. The powdery base notes bloom after an hour, making it ideal for daytime or early evening wear.
Jean-Claude Ellena
Founding perfumer · 104 fragrances · French
As a disciple and close friend of the legendary Edmond Roudnitska (creator of “Le Parfum de Thérèse”), Jean-Claude Ellena began his career with a minimalistic approach to perfumery. Since then, he has developed this approach into his own distinctive style, which is continually informed by his elegant and quiet way of being, and has been compared by his contemporaries to watercolor sketches and chamber music. Jean-Claude says that a perfume must be like “a soft caress; nothing must shock, nothing must shout”.Jean-Claude Ellena was born in Grasse into a family of perfumers. His training began at age 17, in the most prestigious laboratories – in Grasse, Paris, New York and Geneva – where he always saw himself as self-taught. Roudnitska’s minimalism never left him, however, and his compositions remain focused around a single ingredient, avoiding repetition.
Also created
Designer Van Cleef & Arpels
More from Van Cleef & Arpels
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
The crisp, clean air of a fresh linen closet, where the subtle blend of aldehydes and florals evokes a sense of refined elegance.
Fig. 01 — First, Van Cleef & Arpels
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