This page lists perfume houses with names starting with the letters U through Z. Perfume houses are alphabetized by first name, so that “Vera Wang” is listed under V. Some perfume houses have their own pages — if the name is a link, click on it.
Jump to: Perfume Houses A-B :: C :: D-E :: F-G :: H-J :: K-L :: M :: N-O :: P :: Q-R :: S :: T.
This page was last updated on 15 April 2013.
Ulric de Varens
French mass market perfume house established in 1982. There are three lines: Parfums Ulric de Varens, Lily Prune (see review for Lily Prune Sublime Vanilla) and Jacques Saint Prez.
Website: Ulric de Varens
Ulrich Lang
Niche house established in New York in 2002 by Ulrich Lang, a former L’Oreal executive. Two fragrances, Anvers (2003) and Anvers 2 (2007).
Recent releases include Nightscape (2009), Lightscape (2012).
Where to buy: at aedes, beautyhabit, luckyscent, miomia and selected Barneys stores.
Website: Ulrich Lang
Ungaro
See Emanuel Ungaro.
Usher
Fragrances by pop singer Usher Raymond, produced in collaboration with Liz Claiborne (and now Elizabeth Arden, who has taken over the Clairborne licenses).
Fragrances were introduced in 2007 with Usher She & Usher He.
Recent releases include UR For Women & UR For Men (2008), Usher VIP (2009).
Van Cleef & Arpels
French jewelry & luxury goods house established in Paris in 1906 by Alfred Van Cleef and Charles & Julien Arpels.
Fragrances were introduced in 1976 with First. Subsequent launches include Gem (1987), Tsar (1989), Van Cleef (1993), Birmane (1999), Zanzibar (2001) and Murmure (2002).
Recent releases include First Love (2006), First Summer 2007 (2007), First Premier Bouquet (2008), Feerie (2008), Collection Extraordinaire (2009, see reviews for Bois d’Iris, Muguet Blanc), Oriens (2010), Midnight in Paris Pour Homme (2010), Un Air de First (2011), Precious Oud (2011), Féerie Rose des Neiges (2011), Aqua Oriens (2012), First Eau de Parfum Intense (2012), Féerie Spring Blossom (2013), Rêve (2013).
Website: Van Cleef & Arpels
Vero Profumo
Swiss niche line established in 2007 by perfumer Vero Kern. The initial offerings include three fragrances: Kiki, Onda & Rubj.
Recent releases include Mito (2012).
Where to buy: at luckyscent in the US, first-in-fragrance in Germany.
Website: Vero Profumo
Versace
Italian fashion design house founded by Gianni Versace in 1978. Versace was known for his bright colors and sexy styles; Vogue notes that his “raunchy, barely-there dresses and reveal-all attitude to the female body gained him a reputation for having been inspired by the dress sense of prostitutes”. Since his death in 1997, the house has been under the design control of his sister, Donatella Versace.
Fragrances were introduced in 1982 with Gianni Versace. Subsequent scents include Versus for men (1990), Blonde (1995), The Dreamer (1996), Versace Man (2003) and Glam (2003).
Recent fragrance introductions include Crystal Noir (2004), Versace Man Eau Fraiche (2005), Bright Crystal (2005), Versace by Versace (2007), Versace Pour Homme (2008), Gianni Versace Couture (2008), Versense (2009), Versace Versus (2010), Versace Vanitas (2010), Yellow Diamond (2011), Eros (2012), Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir (2013).
Where to buy: at department stores and online fragrance discounters.
Website: Versace
Vertigo
French fashion line established in 1984. Their debut fragrance, Vertigo, launched in 2005.
Recent fragrance releases include Hypnotica (2006).
Website: Vertigo (website no longer active)
Vicky Tiel
Designer Vicky Tiel was born in the United States, and established her fashion label in Paris in 1968.
Fragrances were introduced in 1990 with Vicky Tiel Originale. Other fragrances include Sirene (1994), Ulysse (1998), Venus (1998) and Ethere (1999).
Recent releases include Sensuel, Couture & Destiny (2007).
Where to buy: in the US, at fragrance discounters.
Website: Vicky Tiel
Victorinox Swiss Army
Makers of watches & the iconic Swiss Army knife.
Fragrances were introduced in 1997 with Swiss Army Classic, which was followed by Swiss Army Altitude (2001), Swiss Army For Her and Swiss Army Mountain Air (2007).
Recent releases include Swiss Unlimited (2009), Victorinox 125 Years, Swiss Army Mountain Water for Her (2009), Snow Power & Snow Flower (2010), Swiss Army Forest & Swiss Army Victoria (2012), Victorinox Swiss Unlimited Energy (2013).
Website: Victorinox Swiss Army
Viktor & Rolf
Dutch design duo Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren debuted their first collection in Paris in 1993, and have since become known for their conceptual approach to fashion and for their wildly inventive catwalk shows.
Their first fragrance release, Le Parfum, came in 1997 and was as avant-garde as their fashion: the “scent” was in a bottle that could not be opened or smelled (and the limited edition run of 250 bottles sold out). The next fragrance release was considerably more mainstream; the relatively conventional perfume Flowerbomb launched in 2005. Antidote for men followed in 2006. Both fragrances were created under arrangements with L’Oreal.
See also: review of Flowerbomb Hair Mist.
Recent releases include Flowerbomb Eau de Toilette (2007), Flowerbomb Extreme 2007, Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose (2009), Eau Mega (2009), Spicebomb (2012).
Where to buy: department stores (Saks, Nordstrom) or online fragrance discounters.
Website: Viktor & Rolf
Vince Camuto
Footwear and lifestyle brand from the designer who started the Nine West brand in 1978. The eponymous label was introduced in 2005. Fragrances are produced under licensing arrangements with Parlux. Fragrances were introduced in 2011 with Vince Camuto.
Recent introductions include Vince Camuto for men (2012), Fiori (2013).
Where to buy: department stores and online fragrance discounters.
Website: Vince Camuto
Vinci & Rakos
Website: Vinci & Rakos
Vivienne Westwood
British fashion designer who helped to establish the classic punk style of the 1970s, and is still known for her quirky, eccentric designs.
Her first fragrance, Boudoir, launched in 1998. Subsequent scents include Libertine (2000) and Anglomania (2004).
Recent fragrance releases include Boudoir Sin Garden (2007), Let It Rock (2007), Boudoir Jouy (2009), Naughty Alice (2010), Cheeky Alice (2011), Flirty Alice (2013).
Fragrances are produced under arrangements with Coty.
Website: Vivienne Westwood
Voluspa
Los Angeles based home & personal fragrance line established in 1999 by Traci Hinkley and Troy Arntsen. The line of Eau de Parfum includes Jasmine Brown Sugar, Linden Blonde Tabac and Cocoa Tamarind; there are also a number of combination room/body sprays in the Basic Black, Basic Creme and Japonica lines.
See reviews for Voluspa Seasons Yuzu Rose Bubblebath (Summer) candle, Japonica Aroma Room/Body Spray in Champaca Bloom & Fern, Voluspa Japonica Aroma Room/Body Spray in Santiago Huckleberry.
Recent fragrance releases include Josephine & Fragaria (2006), the Victoria Collection (2007), Malayan Coco & Fleur de Cafe (2007), the Opulence Collection (2008), Maison Blanc & Maison Noir collections (2010).
Where to buy: b-glowing, lacremebeauty, your-cosmetics, zanadia.
Website: Voluspa
Washington Tremlett
Originally a London-based tailor & shirtmaker, reportedly established in 1870 but no longer operating as a separate business entity. The Washington Tremlett name was at one time owned by Kilgour and used for their Savile Row custom shirtmaking business, but I am not sure who owns it now or if the fragrances are in any way related to the original company.
Fragrances include Black Tie, My Fair Lady and Royals Heroes.
Recent releases include MPH / Miles Per Hour (2008), Iris Absolute & Neroli Absolute (2008), Clove Absolute (2009), Notting Hill Carnival, Hampstead Water & Chelsea Garden (2009).
Where to buy: in the US at luckyscent, in Germany at first-in-fragrance.
Wickle
Uk-based line of gifts & toiletries founded in 2004 by illustrator Scott Wotherspoon and cosmetics expert Elisabeth Henrikse. Four Eaux de Parfum, Muskmallow, Periwinkle, Scented Tea Leaf and Chestnut & Vetiver, are repackaged every year in limited edition bottles created in collaboration with artists.
Recent releases include Fig & Mace (2007).
Website: Wickle
Worth Paris
French fashion house established in 1858 by English-born Charles Frederick Worth, now frequently referred to as “the father of haute couture”. The house was subsequently run by Worth’s descendants until it was sold in 1953 to Paquin. You can read a brief history of the house at metmuseum.
Perfumes were introduced in 1924 with Dans La Nuit (reformulated and relaunched 1985). The best known Worth fragrance was 1932′s Je Reviens.
In 2003, the Worth prestige perfume line was resurrected by Mounir Moufarrige, who relaunched Je Reviens in 2004 as Je Reviens Couture. He also established a couture lingerie line inspired by Worth, Courtworth. Recent releases include Courtesan (2005). As of 2012, this company does not appear to still be in business, however, Je Reviens is still being produced as a mass market fragrance (see link below).
Where to buy: In the US, at fragrance discounters.
Website: Worth Paris (no longer active) or Worth Je Reviens
XerJoff
Italian luxury niche line established in 2003 by Sergio Momo and Dominique Salvo. As of early 2010 there were three lines: XJ 17/17 (4 fragrances, see review for Irisss), Shooting Stars (12 fragrances; see reviews for Ibitira & Oesel) and Casamorati 1888 (4 fragrances).
Recent releases include Damarose, Richwood (2010), the Sospiro line (2011), Oud Stars (2012), Join The Club (2012), Sospiro Melodia, Andante, Erba Pura & Adagio (2013).
Where to buy: in the US at Luckyscent or Parfums Raffy; in Germany at First in Fragrance. In London they can be found at the Haute Parfumerie at Harrods.
Website: Xerjoff
Yardley
Yardley was established in the 18th century as a soap manufacturer in England. Over the years they expanded into other luxury toiletries, and they are still best known for their English Lavender fragrance range. They have been owned by several parent companies over their long history; most recently, UK-based Lornamead purchased Yardley from Procter & Gamble. Lornamead also owns Woods of Windsor.
In 2010, the Yardley brand was reorganized and repackaged, and the existing product lines were condensed to six fragrances: English Lavender, Lily of the Valley, English Rose, Iris, Peony and April Violets.
Recent releases include Lavender Spa (2007), Peony (2008), Iris and Lavender (2008), Heritage Collection Geranium, Hyacinth & Orange Blossom (2009), Royal English Daisy (2011), Citrus & Wood (2011), Royal Diamond (2012), Polaire (2013).
Website: Yardley
YOSH
San Francisco-based independent niche house of botanical perfumer Yosh Han.
In addition to the fragrances marketed under her own brand name, Yosh has designed scents for Minnie Wilde (Minnie Wilde Magic), Temper Chocolates (Temperare 01, 02 & 03) and 826LA (Time Travel collection).
Recent releases include Winter Rose & Phenomenon (2006), Kismet (2007), Sombre Negra (2010).
Where to buy: b-glowing, lacremebeauty, luckyscent, or in Canada, theperfumeshoppe.
Website: Yosh
Yves Rocher
French cosmetics firm founded by Yves Rocher in 1959 and specializing in reasonably priced, botanically-based products, including skin care and fragrance. Yves Rocher passed away in 2009.
Note that new fragrances from Yves Rocher generally launch first in France, and only come to the US months later.
Recent fragrances include Pur Desir de Mimosa (2005), Voile d’Ambre & Ming Shu Fleur de L’Aube (2005), Hoggar (2005), Altika (2006), Rose Absolue (2006), Comme une Evidence Eau de Toilette (2007), Plaisirs Nature Strawberry Nectar (2007), Iris Noir (2007), Green Apple / Pomme (2007), Neonatura Souffle (Breath in US) (2007), Naturelle, Comme une Evidence Le Parfum, Comme une Evidence Homme (2008), Tendre Jasmin (2008), Fleur de Noel (2008), Green Summer (2009), So Elixir (2009), FlowerParty (2010), Aquarelles Végétales Eau Fruitée pour l’été (2010), Vanille Noire (2010), Fruits de Noël (2010), Comme une évidence Green (2011) Comme Une Evidence L’Eau (2011), FlowerParty Limited Edition (2011), Jardin des Nymphes (2011), Moment de Bonheur (2011), FlowerParty Summer (2012), Un Matin Au Jardin (2012), Monoï Eau des Vahinés (2012), So Elixir Purple (2012), Candied Mallows (2012), FlowerParty by Night (2013), Ambre Noir (2013), Muguet en Fleurs (2013), Neroli (2013), Retropical (2013).
Where to buy: at Yves Rocher boutiques or via the website (see below). In the US, also at selected Sears stors.
Website: Yves Rocher
Zents
Fragrance & body care company. Fragrances include Ore, Earth, Petal & Oolong.
Where to buy: beautycafe.
Website: Zents
Zirh
Men’s skin care & grooming company, established in 1995. Fragrances include Zirh Eau de Toilette (2001) and Corduroy (2005). Zirh was purchased by Procter & Gamble in 2009.
See review for Zirh Warrior Collection Julius Caesar shower gel.
New releases include Zirh Ikon (2008), Ikon Pure (2012?).
Website: Zirh
